1863 The manufacture of liquors, wines, and cordials

MANUFACTURE OF VINEGAR.

266

of the atmosphere, and becomes aldehyd, composed of four equals of carbon, four of hydrogen, and two of oxygen. This, by the absorption of two equals of oxygen, becomes four equals of carbon, four of hydrogen, and four of oxygen, that is, hydrated acetic acid. Thus the conversion of alcohol into acetic acid, consists in, first, the removal of two equals of hydrogen, and afterwards the addition of two equals of oxygen. Aldehyd is a colorless, very in- flammable, ethereal liquid, having a pungent taste and smell. Its density is 0*79. It absorbs oxygen with avidity, and is thus converted into acetic acid, as just described. Its name alludes to its relations to alcohol ALCOHOL dehydrogenated. Having stated one of the most important conside- rations in the^ economy of the manufacture of vine- gar, viz. its rapid formation, the minor consi dera- tions will be briefly noticed. And probably this could not be more effectually performed than by contrasting the two processes. Take a well ai ranged vinegar manufacturing esta- blishment of the old style, one that is capable of turn- ing out forty barrels of vinegar daily, and from >even to ten operators will be necessary to conduct the process, to say nothing of the appurtenances, in the form of vats, tuns, cisterns, coolers, heaters, hydro* lueters, thermometers, kettles, boilers, furnaces, &c.,