THE ALCOHOL INDUSTRY. PART L 137 



and in the seasons of the year. In Pangasinan it is from 3 to 11 pesos 

 for 12 tinajas. 



This is at the rate of 0.020 (the highest price and the smallest tinaja) to 

 0.00.3 peso (the lowest price and the largest tinaja) per liter, for the raw ma- 

 terial. A fair, estimated average is 0.006 peso. The great variations in price 

 are due to fluctuations in the demand for the distilled beverage at the different 

 distilleries, rivalry among their owners, and to seasonal and yearlj^ variations 

 in the supply of sap. The latter is one of the most important factors controlling 

 the price. In the Bulacan-Pampanga district the distilleries are larger, equipped 

 with better machinery and in general are better managed, the result being 

 that the industry is on a more stable basis and the fluctuations in the price of 

 tuba less violent. The price of 100 tinajas, from 3,000 to 3,600 liters, fluctuates 

 between 12 to 18 pesos. Thus the raw material varies from 0.003 to 0.006 peso 

 per liter. 



There is no doubt but that much sap is purchased at lower figures by 

 some shrewd buyers. The Chinese, who own and operate several distil- 

 leries, excel in this resjject. The difficulties attending the process of ob- 

 taining accurate information can not be appreciated by one who has not 

 dealt with Filipinos and other Orientals. 



The measure of the volume of the tuba delivered at the distillery is 

 an unsatisfactory method for arriving at the j^rice to be paid the gatherers, 

 as the tendency to adulterate with water is too strong to be resisted. In 

 some of the best managed plants, the alcohol in the tuba is determined 

 by means of the ebullioscope, and tlie sugar estimated by determining the 

 density. Some distilleries purchase tuba entirely upon its alcohol and 

 sugar content. Even when the establishment owns the nipales, this check 

 is necessar}', for the tuba gatherers are usually paid on the basis of the 

 volume of tuba delivered and are not compensated by a daily wage. 



The alcoholic production from nipa sap should be above 6 per cent 

 of the tuba, and I have no doubt that under favorable conditions it would 

 be above 7 per cent. 



Taking a low average value, 6.5 per cent alcohol, or 13 proof, the 

 purchase price of the raw material is equivalent to a cost of 0.0415 to 

 0.0830 peso per liter for 90 per cent (180 proof) alcohol. 



These estimates are made upon the raw material delivered at the dis- 

 tillery and show nipa sap to be the cheapest source of alcohol in the 

 world. However, I do not believe this to be the case at all times. Three 

 exceptions are to be noted. There are occasions when molasses at the 

 sugar mill may produce cheaper alcohol, although I do not believe this 

 to be generally the case. Cassava in the Philippine Islands, I am in- 

 formed, can be grown at such prices that the raw material for 1 liter 

 of 180 proof spirits will cost as little as 0.0-1 peso or perhaps less. The 

 third possible exception is the new process for the utilization of wood 

 wastes or sawdtist. 



In the case of nipa sap it is to be remembered that no processes of puri- 



