786 MAIZE 



CHAP, times called a rubber substitute, but the term is misleading 

 XVIL in this case, as the corn oil product can only be used satis- 

 factorily in combination with real rubber. It is then em- 

 ployed in the manufacture of "solid rubber" tyres, buffers, 

 sole-rubber, etc. ; it' is reported to be very popular on account 

 of its usefulness as an insulator and filler, and because of its 

 low cost. 



761. Glycerine. — Glycerine is a sweet, colourless, inodorous, 

 viscid liquid, formed from fatty substances and consisting of 

 carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Glycerine is obtained from 

 different oils and fats, including maize oil, in the processes of 

 manufacture. 



762. De-nat tired Alcohol. — Enormous quantities of com- 

 mercial alcohol are prepared from maize grain. In a single 

 year the United States used 16,555,804 bushels of maize grain 

 valued at $5,968,198 in the manufacture of distilled liquors, 

 including alcohol, Cologne spirit, and whisky, etc. 



After the removal of the hull and embryo, 10 per cent of 

 barley malt and yeast are added, and the grain is allowed to 

 ferment. The enzymes in the malt change the starch of the 

 grain into sugar, and the sugar into alcohol. A bushel of 

 maize will produce about 2'7 gallons of 95 per cent alcohol, 

 and a muid will produce from 8 to 9-5 gallons. At an average 

 price of 6s. per muid for maize grain, its cost for manufacturing 

 a gallon of 95 per cent industrial alcohol would be about 7^-d., 

 according to American prices. This figure may be doubled to 

 cover cost of manufacture, storage, etc., and another 5d. added 

 for profits of manufacturer and dealer. At these figures in- 

 dustrial alcohol, if untaxed, could be sold for about is. 8d. 

 per gallon (U.S.D.A., 1). 



De-natured alcohol has a large and increasingly important 

 place not only as a solvent but also as a source of heat, light, 

 and power. Cheap alcohol is used in Germany on a large 

 scale in place of paraffin, petrol, gasoline, etc., for industrial 

 purposes. Germany, like South Africa, is not a producer of 

 mineral oils, and although she can obtain her oil at much lower 

 cost than the South African farmer can, she finds it cheaper to 

 use alcohol ; apart from motor carriages, Germany is reported 

 to have in use over 5,000 small alcohol-propelled engines for 

 agricultural and similar purposes. As an illuminant it is 



