13 



The problems connected with the use of alcohol for driving 

 machinery are somewhat technical, and it is only desired to call 

 attention to the possible advantages to the farmer from this source 

 of power, and also to point out the difficulties which must be over- 

 come. In this connection it seems that a word of caution is needed, 

 as in the exploitation of tax-free alcohol extravagant opinions 

 regarding its possibilities have been exprest. These exaggerated 

 statements have been made without any intent to deceive or mislead, 

 but on account of insufficient information. The natural tendency in 

 all such matters is to select those points which are certain to be of 

 great benefit and publish them broadcast, and to neglect the diffi- 



FIG. 10. Adaptation of an alcohol motor to a reaper and binder. 



culties and dangers which lie in the path of progress along these lines. 

 Our farmers, who are naturally conservative, need very little caution 

 in such matters, but it is important that a full understanding of the 

 difficulties of these problems should be disseminated among the agri- 

 cultural population. It is quite certain that if alcohol can be pro- 

 duced in the near future at a cost not exceeding 25 or 30 cents 

 per gallon of 95 per cent strength, it will be a most valuable source 

 of power on the farm. Altho with the present relative prices of 

 alcohol and gasolene there is no financial advantage in the use of 

 the former, it is highly probable that the price of gasolene will 

 advance and that of alcohol fall. Thus the farmhouse and the 



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