utilization of the Sweet Potato 39 



Sweet potato chips. 



Sweet potato chips are now manufactured to a lim- 

 ited extent by some dehydrating concerns. They are 

 put on the market in much the same form as the com- 

 mercial Irish potato chips, which are packed in waxed 

 paper boxes. The sweet potato chips, however, usually 

 require other preparation before using. 



Sweet potaio sugar. 



In addition to its high starch-content which is largely 

 capable of being converted into sugars, the sweet po- 

 tato also contains several per cent of free sugars (more 

 than 4 per cent of sucrose has been found in the roots). 

 The fermentation of this saccharine matter is embodied 

 in the manufacture of alcohol. Though the commercial 

 manufacture of sugar from, this crop has not yet been 

 undertaken, it is possible that the next few years will 

 witness concerted effort in this direction. 



Starch manufacture. 



Carver ^ has described the home manufacture of 

 starch as follows : " This is very easily made ; all that 

 is necessary is to grate the potato, the finer the better, 

 put into a cheese cloth or thin muslin bag and dip up 

 and down in a vessel of water, squeezing occasionally. 

 Continue washing as long as the washings are milky. 

 Allow it to settle five or six hours or until the water 

 becomes clear, pour off; rewash the starch, which will 

 be in the bottom of the vessel, stir up well, allow to set- 

 tle again, pour off the water and let it dry. Keep the 

 same as any ordinary starch." Starch made in this 



1 G. W. Carver, Bull. 37, Tuskegee Nonnal and Ind. Inst. 



