123 
A small but interesting local industry exists in San J is di Talisco, 
near Sucre, Bolivia, where, in 1905, 1050 ewts. of 9 0 per cent. 
alcohol (including perhaps some from other cereals) were distilled 
from sugar-cane in one distillery, and the out-put from various 
smaller distilleries amounted to another 1000 ewt. It is claimed 
that the Talisco alcohol is superior to that of German and Peru- 
vian origin, which occasionally reaches that district: the tins in 
which the spirit is arin sold contain 37 Ibs. net, value 
wholesale (1906) 24s. per tin 
Sugar Corn (Zea Mays, ben); The pi cise on to Wiley 
and Sawyer,” contain from 7-15 per cent, of s ; the waste stalks 
amount to about 40 per cent. of the total echt ‘of corn, and are 
capable of yielding from 6-10 per cent. of alcohol or about 11 gallons 
to every ton of corn. The season, however, during which these 
stalks are in a fit condition for the production of alcohol is so 
limited that it is DRe to question if it would pay, unless other 
lost. The production of alcohol from the stems is suggested in 
connection with the corn-canning industry. 
Sugar Sorghum (Soryhum saccharatum, Moench, var.). Cultivated 
in N. India, China, Japan and N. America. The stalks are 
recommended as a likely source of alcohol. 1000 lbs. of the juice 
of the variety “ Colman,” containing 14°42 per cent. of sucrose and 
‘1 per cent. of reducing sugars, is calculated to yield 12} gallons 
of 180° alcohol, and the Beets of alcohol from a ton of cleaned 
stalks may be from 15 to 18 ga 
Grass Trees or Black Boys (Xanthors hoea os Endl., and other 
species). Perennial plants with thick short or rescent wo 
stems an dense apical tuft. The art is opin 
to Australia. The inner part of the stem has been suggested as 
source of industrial alcohol, and proposals have been advanced to 
utilise the trees in Victoria ’ (over 100,000 acres), Queensland® and 
West Australia,’ where the plants cover large areas. The success 
of such a venture would, however, be open to question in view of 
the availability of other and better sources. The present value of 
the stems lies in the resin or “Grass tree gum” of commerce, 
which exudes naturally from the bases of the old leaves; used for 
making spirit varnishes and for staining wood. 
Sotol (Dasylirionteranum, Schult). “Sotol” is a spirit similar 
to “mescal ” (see Agave spp.) obtained from the crown of this plant. 
The Sotol plant has been found to yield 16 per cent. of laevulose.* 
1 Dip. and Cons. Rep. No. seis tere 1906, p. 24. 
2 Farmers’ Bull. No. 429, 1911, p. 15. 
3 Le. No. 268, 1906, p. oe 
‘ No, 429, 1911, 
Bio £ f Trade Journ a Pees Toth, 1908, p. 377. 
hk Ma 20th, 1909, p 
+ Sora: ‘tok A Agric. W. Australia, 1907, p. 514. 
* Wiley and Sawyer, U.S. Dept . Agric. Farmers’ Bull. No, 429, 1911, p. 11. 
