1868 The complete Practical Distiller

THE COMPLETE PRACTICAL DISTILLER.

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than otherwise. To fine any goods speedily for immediate use or sale, (especially white or pale goods,) add about 2 drachms of crude alum, finely powdered, to 3 gallons of goods ; rummage them well, and the residue will imme- diately become clear and transparent It must also be observed, that what is called the Hippocrates bag, or flan- nel sleeve, is very necessary for a distiller or brandy-mer- chant, as by the use of this all bottoms of casks, though ever so thick and feculent, by putting into this bag to fil- ter, become presently clear — the porous parts of said bag being soon filled with grosser matter, and the thin or liquid element runs clear from the bag, and is as good as any of the rest. Also, any foul goods or liquor may be presently made clear and fine, by putting some alabaster, powdered, into the liquor, or sprinkling the same on the bag to stop its pores, by which they presently become or run clear, leaving nothing but the sediment or gross mat- ter in the bag ; nor does the liquor contract the least ill flavour from the alabaster powder. The said bag is made of a yard of flannel, not over fine or close wrought, laid sloping, so as to have the bottom of it very narrow, well sewed up the side, and the upper part of the bag folded about a broad wooden hoop, and well fastened to it ; then boring the hoop in three or four may be suspended by a cord. But the bottoms of fine goods, which are much more valuable, must be fil- tered or put through blotting-paper, folded in four parts, one part or leaf to be opened funnel-wise, and made capa- ble to receive what it will hold of the bottoms ; this being put into the upper part of a large tin funnel, will filter ofif all the goods from the sediment. places, it