1868 The complete Practical Distiller

THE COMPLETE PRACTICAL DISTILLER.

130

press, well mounted and well conducted, it is possible to obtain a quantity of juice equivalent to 75 per cent, of the raw beet-root. To effect this it is necessary to wet the residue of the first extract, and to submit it again to the action of the press. With screwing or hydraulic presses, 65, 70, and even 80 per cent, of the juice can be obtained in one operation, according to the power of the engine, or the more or less aqueous qualities of the This juice, supposing no water to have been used, may mark from 5° to 9° Beaume, according to years and the species of fruit. It contains, like the cane, two kinds of sugar — ono solid, and the other liquid ; that is, one that can be crys- tallized, and the other molasses. It contains, besides, water, leaven, and some extractive substances, one of which gives to the beet-root that acrid taste by which it is distinguished, and also the property of attacking the throats of those who eat it ; this is not entirely removed even by the operation of boiling, as many persons can This substance might communicate to the spirits of beet-roots its noxious taste, was it not corrected by the operation of rectification, which has already been spoken of. The liquid separated by means of the press may be put immediately to fermentation ; leaven enters into its composition, and soon begins to work. A good soil may produce from 80,000 to 100,000 pounds of beet-roots per hectare. The molasses of beet-roots, as before observed, has not been applied to any other use than that of distillation. This results from its peculiar bad taste, which is the cause of its being rejected by the trade. In fact, it can- roots. testify.