A Dictionary of Occupational Terms Based on the Classification of Occupations used in the Census of Population, 1921.

ORDER XIV.—MAKERS OF FOODS, DRINKS AND TOBACCO

Sub-order 2.—Makers of Drinks

454.—Distillers and Stillmen

ball man: see pot still man.
patent still man: charges still with wash (fermented wort), which runs in through a series of pipes, controlled by valves, at outset of distilling operations, after which it is automatically replenished; watches ingredients of still, i.e. wash, which are liable to overflow, owing to frothiness if overheated; watches glass tube indicator or safe to ensure that automatic replenishing apparatus is functioning properly; observes pressure of steam and regulates heat of still by opening and closing valve to admit or shut off steam; tests strength of spirits in sample safe, in presence of Excise Officer who seals safe; when distilling is not in progress, does cleaning and repair work.
pot still man ; ball man: charges pot still, which is heated by steam or by furnace, in presence of Excise Officer, either by gravitation or with hand pump; watches ingredients of still (wash), which are liable to overflow, owing to frothiness if overheated, and regulates heat of still; judges state of wash by sound, by swinging a suspended ball against neck of still or by tapping with a wooden hammer; watches water beads in glass tube indicator or safe, to see whether all spirit has run off; occasionally turns tap to test accuracy of tube indicator (safe); when distilling is not in progress, does cleaning or repair work.
still man: general term covering patent still man and pot still man q.v.; is sometimes able to attend both types of still.

From: A Dictionary of Occupational Terms Based on the Classification of Occupations used in the Census of Population, 1921,
Ministry of Labour, 1927. Digitised by Peter Christian, August, 2016. This text is in the Public Domain.