272 The Potato 



1855 32,757,700 gallons absolute alcohol 



1860 42,003,825 gallons absolute alcohol 



1865 52,570,825 gallons absolute alcohol 



1906 . exceeded 115,444,445 gallons absolute alcohol 



Distillation is, therefore, a very important and exten- 

 sive agricultural industry in Germany. There the potato 

 is the principal source of alcohol, and the production of 

 spirits from other substances is insignificant in comparison 

 with that from potatoes. 



The agricultural significance of the development of the 

 potato industry as worked out in Germany is manifold. 



1 . All the ingredients taken from the soil by the potato 

 are returned to the soil. 



2. The mash, which is the product obtained after the 

 starch has been converted into alcohol and the latter has 

 been removed by distillation, is a valuable feed for cattle. 

 This enables the farmer to maintain a large number of 

 cattle, and they in turn provide the manure so necessary 

 for the light soil. 



3. The introduction of a cultivated crop into the rota- 

 tion has been of the greatest benefit, because it has made 

 possible larger yields of grain. 



4. It has enabled the farmer to convert the unstable 

 crop, especially of those varieties of poor keeping quali- 

 ties, into a stable product, alcohol, which may be held as 

 surplus stock for several years. 



As was shown above, potatoes have been used in other 

 countries as a source of cheap alcohol, and the possibili- 

 ties of its becoming a profitable enterprise in America are 

 very promising ; for conditions in this country indicate 

 that large quantities of potato culls with the necessary 

 starch content are available for this purpose at a price 



