184
VINES-AR.
and of the beech chips, with a loss of time and
vinegar, becomes necessary. The only mode of
obviating this difficulty is, to take well-clari–
fied fermented wash.
"Another evil attendant on the quick process
is, the evaporation of the spirituous liquors.
Since, in the graduation tub, there is a tempera-–
ture of
110°,
it is impossible to avoid a loss of
spirit from the circulation and efilux of the air.
The air, indeed, that issues fron1 the top hole in
the uppermost cover, might be conducted over
an extensive surface of fresh water, where its
spirit would be condensed in a great measure.
But, after all, this fear of great loss is, I believe,
groundless;
because the spirit is rapidly acidi–
fied by the oxygen of the air, and thereby loses
its volatility.
"The supply of the warm
wa~h
should be
drawn fron1 a cistern placed near the ceiling,
where the temperature of the apartment is
hottest; and it inay be rcplcni::ihed from the
partly acctificd liqnor in the cistern on the floor.