AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 383 



for I may here remark, that if farmers were to cultivate beets 

 merely for tlie nourishment of cattle, it would be more advan- 

 tageous to them than any other feed, producing better and more 

 abundant meat, consequently cheaper. 



Another consideration for pursuing this question is the great 

 abuse in alcohol made from grain, which are generally not pure, 

 containing quantities of oils and essences injurious to the dif- 

 ferent organs and fibres of the human frame. 



It is quite sure that notwithstanding all the temperance laws, 

 it is impossible to make way with the use of alcohols, wliicli I 

 believe to be necessary to the wants of man, if taken in reasona- 

 ble quantities and of good quality. If the friends of temperance 

 would enact a law for the inspection of all liquors before their 

 being sold to the public, they would be doing a real and lasting 

 good to humanity, and forward tlieir cause more than by the pre- 

 sent Maine law, which is, and always will be, infringed upon. 



It is greatly necessary to turn the attention of scientific men 

 to this spirit, so as to endeavor to make it beneficial instead of 

 prejudicial to the consumer, and for this end I entreat the con- 

 sideration and attention of all those inclined to pursue this 

 question. 



There are quantities of alcohol from beets now imported from 

 Europe of excellent qualities. Why not manufacture it here, and 

 by mixing it with good cogniac make a good and wholesome 

 beverage? whereas we buy good cogniac at from $5 to $6 per 

 gallon, which is mixed with our bad alcohol, and afterwards sold 

 for pure French brandy. 



When alcohol from beets made here may be mixed with French 

 cogniac, there will be quite as much cogniac imported, perhaps 

 more. Merchants will be able to deliver to consumers a good, 

 pure, wholesome article, with the 5a?ne profits; profits being, after 

 all, the -chief end in almost all cases. 



Another great consideration is the immense consummation of 

 alcohols in manufacturing purposes of all kinds, which far ex- 

 ceeds other uses, also its adaptation to light used in navigation, 

 as it is called upon to take the place of oils which are increasing 

 in price so as to exclude their use. 



The planting and distilling of beets, if increased, will materi- 

 ally affect the price of meat, as the residue may be sent to large 

 cities for the nourishment of cattle. A cow which consumes a 

 few. pounds of residue of beets in a day gives more and better 

 milk. 



