138 



GIBBS. 



fication, pulping, etc., are necessaiy as with grains, cassava, and similar 

 sources of alcohol. Small storage capacity and fermenting vats are neces- 

 sary, since the fermentation is complete in from six to ten hours and the 

 material is ready for the stills. At the present time, I see no reason for 

 placing the nipa sap in any other than the first place in the order of low- 

 cost. 



Cost of distillation. — The actual cost of distillation during the runs 

 made at the two distilleries and described under control tests jSTos. 1 and 

 2 can be figured from the following data : 



Table XIII. — Cost of the alcohol produced during tests of distilleries. 





Control test No. 1. 



Control test No. 2. 



Liters. 



Pesos. 



Liters. 



1 

 Pesos. 



Tuba distilled 



29, 794 





48, 327 





Cost of tuba at 0. 00388 peso per liter 



115. 60 



187. 73 



Molasses mixed with the tuba _ . 



189 





Cost of molasses 



11.60 



10.00 



10.00 



0.00 







Salaries __ 







10.00 

 10.00 

 2.00 



Fuel" - - 







Lime 





2,153 



Alcohol calculated as 95 per cent 



1,139 



Total cost (except interest on investment 

 and administration) 



147. 20 

 0.129 



209.73 

 0.097 



Cost of alcohol per liter (calculated to 95 

 per cent) 













» The average Australian coal employed in the Philippines has a heating value of 

 6,600 calories and costs about 12 pesos per metric ton. On this basis the fuel for the 

 two runs costs 3.78 pesos and 6.10 pesos, respectively. 



Since the losses of alcohol during fermentation, distillation, and trans- 

 portation were undoubtedly large, I do not see anything in these figures 

 which will necessitate a modification of the statement that the nipa sap 

 takes first rank in order of low cost as a source for alcohol. 



The current selling prices in Manila of the various grades of rectified 

 alcohol are about as f ollow;s : 



Per cent. 

 97.9 

 95.6 



Selling 

 standard, 

 "Cartier. 



42 



40 



36 



Price per 

 liter in 

 pesos. 



0.72 



0.66 



0.62 



The tax included in these figures is 0.25 peso per proof liter. 



Denatured tax free 42° Cartier 

 Denatured tax free 40° Cartier 



Pesos. 

 0.19 

 0.16 



The income derived from the nipa swamps and the compensation of 

 the laborers. — Wliere the owner of the nipales does not personally gather 



