2 BULLETIN 182, Uj- 1 S. EtEPARXMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



the Mediterranean countries was replaced by the distillate of a 

 fermented infusion (beer) from cereals of the more northern States. 

 The consumption of the whisky became so widespread that restric- 

 tive measures had to be adopted by governments, not only for ethical 

 and social reasons (Gildemeister and Hoffmann, 1899, p. Si),^ but 

 for economic reasons as well, it being feared that in years of poor 

 harvests too large a quantity of the cereals might be withdrawn 

 from their more legitimate use in bread making (Brockhaus, 1894, 

 p. 501). 



The first potato distillery was operated in Monsheim in the Pala- 

 tinate as early as 1750, but the alcohol industry in Germany up to 

 1840 was based almost exclusively upon the use of cereals as crude 

 material. The industry has developed primarily in the cities on a 

 small scale (Kleingewerbe), and even as a side issue to other indus- 

 tries (Nebengewerbe). However, with the expansion of the culti- 

 vation of the potato — which gives a larger yield of starch per acre 

 than the cereals — the distillation of alcohol became largely an agri- 

 cultural industry. The western provinces of Germany with their 

 more clayey soils were favorable to the cultivation of the sugar 

 beet, whereas the light sandy soils of the eastern provinces (Branden- ' 

 berg, Posen, and Silesia) were especially benefited by the cultiva-i 

 tion of the potato. For this reason the distilleries in the western 

 part are to-day primarily grain distilleries and are located at or near 

 the cities. In south Germany (Baden, Wurttemberg, and Alsace- 

 Lorraine) apples and other fruits, according to quantity of the 

 crops obtained, are utilized in the distillation of alcoholic beverages. 

 As in France, this industry, which is scarcely deserving of the name, 

 is a home industry and is conducted on only a very small scale. 



The agricultural significance of the development of the potato- 

 alcohol industry as worked out in Germany is manifold : 



(1) All of the ingredients taken from the soil by the potatoes are returned 

 to the soil. 



(2) The spent mash (Schlempe), 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 main-' 

 tain a larger number of cattle than would otherwise be possible, and they in 

 turn provide the manure so necessary for the light soil. 



(3) The introduction of a cultivated crop (Hackfrucht) into the rotation 

 has been of the greatest benefit, because it has made possible larger yields 

 of grain even where the area devoted to cereal cultivation had to be reduced 

 for the sake of the potato. 



(4) Last, but not least, it has enabled the farmer to convert the unstable 

 potato crop, especially of those varieties having poor keeping qualities, into a 

 stable product, alcohol, which may be held as surplus stock for several years. 



^ For citations to the literature, see the list at the end of this bulletin. 



