NEW MACHINERY. 335 



gasoline. It is certain, however, that any attempt on the part 

 of the controlling company to squeeze additional profits out 

 of the people because of the increased demand for oil would 

 be met by the development of the alcohol industry. 



The manufacture of potato alcohol, or "spirit" as it is called, 

 is a very simple and inexpensive process. The tuber is grated 

 or beaten to a pulp and washed over a fine sieve. The starch, 

 which constitutes about 18 per cent, of the substance, is car- 

 ried away by the washing water, which is allowed to fall 

 through the sieve into a suitable receptacle where the starch 

 soon settles at the bottom. The water is then poured off, 

 and the wet or "green" starch is spread out and dried. 



In the next step of the process the starch is mixed with a 

 large quantity of cold water which is carefully agitated to pre- 

 vent the starch from settling. Boiling water is then added 

 which at first converts the mixture into a paste, but upon the 

 continued addition of boiling water a remarkable change is 

 observed the entire solution becomes transparent and clear. 



At this moment a small amount of malt is added and the 

 whole is vigorously stirred for ten minutes. The vat is then 

 closely covered and allowed to stand for several hours, dur- 

 ing which time the diastase of the malt acts upon the starch 

 and completely transforms it into sugar. 



This saccharine liquid syrup is then poured into the fer- 

 menting vats, more water is added, and in 36 hours the pro- 

 cess of fermentation has been completed and the liquor is 

 ready for distillation, which is the final process. This is ac- 

 complished by placing the liquor in a boiler of copper or other 

 suitable material called the still, having a movable head or 

 cover, from which proceeds a spiral tube termed the worm 

 which passes through a tank of water constantly kept cold. 



