14 BrLLETIX 1*2. r. S. DEPABTMEXT OF AGPJCrLTTTEE. 



BistiUation is the more important and extensive of these two 

 branches of agricultural industry. The manufacture of spirits is 

 the only form of potato utilization concerning which we possess 

 reliable statistics. It appears that with the increased potato pro- 

 duction, the use of this product for. the manufacture of alcohol 

 has also iucreased. Behrend <190.5, p. 30) estimates that in 1905, cal- 

 culating on an average total crop of 1,578.530.000 bushels, 5.8 per 

 cent of the crop, or over 90.000.000 bushels, were used in the manu- 

 facture of spirits. At fii'st thought this quantity does not seem 

 large, but it gains in importance when we consider to what extent 

 the distillation of potatoes exists as an agricultural industry in 

 the German Empire. 



Many such distilleries are situated in the eastern part of Ger- 

 many, the principal centers being in the Prussian Provinces, Posen, 

 West Prussia, Pomerania. and Brandenburg. In these eastern re- 

 gions the price of spirits regulates the price of potatoes. The 

 fact that these agriculturists are accustomed to dispose of their 

 surplus potatoes in the western regions, where the demand is greater 

 than the supply, proves how important a factor such distilleries are. 



"VThen considered from another point of view the alcohol dis- 

 tillation becomes the more important as a branch of agriculture, 

 since it alone renders a rational method of agriculture possible in 

 those regions which possess a light soil and are situated, as most 

 of them are. at a distance from business centers. Indeed, thou- 

 sands of agricultural undertakings owe their existence to these dis- 

 tilleries. 



About 6,000 agricultural potato distilleries are in operation in 

 the German Empire. 4.000 of which represent one of the chief 

 activities of the respective farms, whereas the remaining 2,000 have 

 a secondary place. 



The production of spirits from other substances, snch as grain, 

 fruit; and molasses, is insignificant in comparison with that from 

 potatoes. During the year 1905-6, 115,6-29,39r gallons (437,700,000 

 liters) of pure alcohol were produced in distilleries of all kinds 

 (Behrend, 1907, p. 401). Of this quantity, 92.947.035 gaUons (351,- 

 800.000 liters) were produced in agricultural potato distilleries, 

 representing over $36,000,000 as total receipts. This is calculated 

 jjn an average value of about 39 cents per gallon, a price slightly 

 lower than that of the Central Association for that year. 



The spent mash, valued at 15 cents for a quintal of potatoes (220.26 

 pounds), must also be considered, since it represents a value of over 

 $3.7.50.000. The total value of products derived from agricultural 

 potato distilleries, therefore, amounted in that year to nearly 

 ^n/uifkfiar) in gross receipts. 



