As the tub was filled the contents were taken to the
great copper, under which a fire was then lighted. The crushing of
the canes was continued until the copper was nearly full, when Mr.
Hardy ordered the cutting of the canes to be discontinued for the
day. The fire under the copper was fed with the crushed canes,
which burned very freely. Mr. Hardy now added a small quantity of
lime and some sheep's blood, which last ingredient caused many
exclamations of horror from Mrs. Hardy and the young ones. The
blood, however, Mr. Hardy informed them, was necessary to clarify
the sugar, as the albumen contained in the blood would rise to the
surface, bringing the impurities with it. The fire was continued
until the thermometer showed that the syrup was within a few
degrees of boiling, and the surface was covered with a thick,
dark-colored scum. The fire was then removed, and the liquor
allowed to cool, the family now going about other work, as so large
a quantity of liquor would not be really cold until the next day.
The following morning the tap at the bottom of the boiler was
turned, and the syrup came out bright and clear--about the color of
sherry wine. The scum descended unbroken on the surface of the
liquor; and when the copper was nearly empty the tap was closed,
and the scum and what little liquor remained was taken out.
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