u 



Experiments en the Dijiillation of Ro^fs. [Feb. 



vegetable, whofe flavouring or eflential oils are much efteemed, 

 be fermented, and its wafh put among the low wines of the other ; 

 then let the whole mafs undergo other two diftillations. By this 

 means a great quantity of pure fpirits will be obtained ; and the 

 efTential oils of the fecond or beft flavoured kind only will re- 

 main. 



3. In order to encourage diftillation from roots, kt a mode- 

 rate tax at firft be impofed on the gallon of fuch fpirits ; and let 

 that tax be gradually augmented, as the diftiUer becomes better 

 acquainted with the art of difirilling them, and introduces ma- 

 chinery inftead of manual labour, in cutting, bruifing, or pre- 

 paring them for the ftill. 



4. Let Great Britain, which cannot raife corn fo cheap as 

 other nations, fupply the re<ftiliers chiefly from the green crop,, 

 (ufing malt only for promoting the fermentation) and we Ihall 

 have little occalion for ardent fpirits from other nations. 



5. By difliUing roots, the quantity of manure will become 

 every year greater, and the advantages every way to Bntilh agri- 

 culture will be incalculable ; while great encouragement is given 

 for BritHh labour, and aUo in unfruitful fealbns we can ap- 

 ply to the purpofe of human food a much greater quantity and 

 variety of roots, than we would otherwiie have raifed in our 

 iHand. 



6. I am far from pretending to have carried thefe experiments 

 io far as they might be carried, even by myfelf. But 

 I flrft ilarted the idi-a of diftillmg from roots, in the Diftil- 

 lery Committee -i the Houie of Commons, when I was ex- 

 aniined before them in April 1798; and at their dehre 1 con- 

 ducted a fet of experiments in diftillation in fpring i799> 

 when I diftilled, befides malt and raw grain, both carrots 

 and potatoes, with the approbation and permiiiion of the Com- 

 miliioners of Excife, who very obiiginj/ly ordered the fuperior 

 and officer of the diftrict to give me every affiflance in their 

 power ; I have row diftilled feveral other kinds of roots. But 

 with the whole vegetable world before us, diflillation may be 

 carried much farther to the benefit of the agriculture, commerce, 

 and revenue of Great Britain. In condui^ting thefe experiments I 

 have no iniered, but what every man has in the profperity of his 

 country. 



Geo. Skene Keith. 



Manfe of Keith, hall, OS?. 18. 1802, 



