'^Spt-Lmber!'''!™:}    Mctkyl  AlcoHol  aud  Ethyl  Alcohol  637 
ered  in  large  tanks.  This  is  then  drawn  into  copper  stills  where  it 
is  treated  with  sulphuric  acid  to  neutralize  any  alkaline  bodies 
which  may  have  been  carried  over  in  the  distillation  on  caustic 
soda  treatment,  and  is  then  carefully  distilled  in  column  stills. 
The  first  part  of  the  run  contains  acetone  and  esters  figured 
as  methyl  acetate.  Methyl  acetate  is  one  of  those  peculiar  organic 
bodies  which  has  a  high  specific  gravity  and  exceedingly  low  boil- 
ing and  volatilizing  point.  This  mixture  of  acetone,  methyl  ace- 
tate and  alcohol,  which  is  first  fractionated  off,  is  sold  under  the 
trade  name  of  Methyl  Acetone,  and  is  used  largely  as  a  solvent. 
Next  is  fractionated  off  that  part  of  the  run  which  is  pure  alco- 
hol, containing,  when  carefully  watched,  less  than  ^/lo  of  i  per  cent, 
acetone,  and  being  as  near  pure  chemically  into  CH3OH  as  is  possi- 
ble to  obtain.  This  is  the  part  used  by  the  formaldehyde  and  dye 
manufacturers. 
The  last  part  of  the  run,  or  tailings,  so-called  by  the  distiller, 
contains  some  very  accurate  poisonous  compounds,  and  this  is  the 
portion  used  for  making  denaturing  wood  alcohol,  which  is  the 
material  specified  by  the  Internal  Revenue  Department  for  the  de- 
naturing of  ethyl  alcohol. 
Uses  of  Wood  Derivatives. — The  chemicals  derived  from  the  de- 
structive distillation  of  hard  woods  are  used  as  follows: 
Uses  of  Charcoal: 
In  the  manufacture  of  charcoal  pig-iron;  in  the  manufacture  of 
gunpowder;  artificial  fertilizer;  insulator;  deodorizer;  metallurgical 
purposes;  briquetted  fuel;  domestic  lump  fuel. 
Uses  of  Acetate  of  Lime: 
Acetic  Acid — For  manufacturing  acetates,  artificial  vinegar  and 
in  photography,  tanning,  dyeing,  and  the  curing  of  skins. 
Acetone — For  manufacturing  gunpowder,  chloroform  and  iodo- 
form; also  in  the  paint  trade  as  a  solvent. 
Aluminum  Acetate — For  dyeing,  mordanting  and  waterproofing 
fabrics. 
Chromium  Acetate — For  mordanting  cotton. 
Copper  Acetate  (Verdigris) — Used  for  oil  paints,  green  colors, 
artificial  flowers,  stains  for  wall  paper  and  for  dyeing  black  on 
wool. 
Iron  Acetate — Used  for  impreganting  wood,  dyeing  black  and 
violet,  dyeing  and  weighing  raw  silk,  and  in  the  manufacture  of 
hats  and  inks. 
