Uses of the Potato 273 



which would permit of the profitable manufacture of 

 alcohol therefrom. Experimental work at the United 

 States distillery has shown that the potato can be eco- 

 nomically handled in manufacturing alcohol, and the 

 farmer can convert frosted or inferior grades of potatoes 

 into a source of revenue. It also furnishes in the resi- 

 due, or slop, a feed for stock. In recent years, many 

 persons have become so much interested in this industry 

 that it seems advisable to give a somewhat thorough 

 discussion of the methods of manufacturing alcohol from 

 potatoes. 



The alcohol from potatoes is a result of the action of 

 malt or acids on the starch, which is turned into sugar 

 and then fermented to give this final product. The so- 

 called "denatured alcohol" is prepared by the addition 

 of such ingredients as will make the alcohol unfit for 

 drinking purposes. This alcohol is used extensively in 

 the manufacture of varnish, explosives, chemicals and 

 many other commercial substances. It may also be used 

 in various household appliances, both for lighting and 

 heating purposes, and with much more safety than either 

 kerosene or gasoline. 



This discussion is limited to the methods which can be 

 used upon a farm, or by a farm community, in a small 

 distillery handled by the farmer himself. The potatoes 

 should of course have enough starch to be worth using 

 for this purpose. From experiments it has been deter- 

 mined that there should not be less than 6 per cent of 

 sugar or starch before the materials can be considered 

 suitable for the profitable manufacture of alcohol. 



