^84 THE POTATO 



oally, fifty gallons of 95 per cent, alcohol could be 

 produced from the residues from 100 bushels of 

 potatoes. 



"It is practically settled that the starch pro- 

 duced from sweet potatoes is of a high grade and 

 suitable for use in many operations where a high 

 grade starch is required. In all of the tests we 

 have had made not a single adverse report has 

 been received. 



"In practical tests for laundry purposes, for 

 sizing yarn, filling cloth, thickening colors, etc., 

 the starch gave highly satisfactory results." 



ALCOHOL 



The potato is one source of industrial alcohol. 

 In "Farmers' BuUetm 269" of the United States 

 Department of Agriculture H. W. Wiley says: 



"The most important of the uses of industrial 

 alcohol as far as the farmer is directly concerned 

 are those included in heating and illumination. 



"It is quite certain that the use of alcohol 

 motors on the farm will become quite common as 

 soon as the technique of construction is practically 

 complete and the price of alcohol is sufficiently 

 low. Alcohol can be used for all purposes for 

 which gasoline is employed — namely, the driving 

 of wagons, carriages, stationary motors, water 

 pumps, mowing machines, plows, etc. Very little 

 change need be made in the engine of a motor car 

 designed to use gasoline to fit it for the use of 

 alcohol. 



"Alcohol is used very extensively in the manu- 

 facture of dyes and other by-products from coal 

 tar. The manufacture of smokeless powder is one 



