28 ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PRACTICAL HORTICULTURE 
ly in a single apparatus with little more 
outlay for fuel and labor than would be 
required to subject the same volume of 
beer to a single distillation in the pot 
still shown in Fig. 2. Such a complex 
Z| 
cz 
Fig. 2. Fire-pot Still. 
a, Kettle | of still; Bb, head of still; ec, draw-off 
cock ; , grate; €, Masonry support ; f, flue; 
qd, con deneiae worm; h, worm tub. 
apparatus, known as a column still, costs 
much more to build than does a simple 
still of the same beer capacity, but its 
almost automatic action and the saving 
which it affords with regard to labor, fuel, 
and water, make it a necessary invest- 
ment for any distillery which is designed 
to produce industrial alcohol. 
Although the details may seem some- 
what complicated, the actual man- 
agement of a continuous still is in 
fact quite simple. When its operation is 
once well under way a condition of equi- 
librium is established in the working of 
its various parts, and as long as the sup- 
plies of water, steam, and beer are kept 
uniform it is possible to maintain a steady 
flow of distillate of practically constant 
proof for hours at a time, with compara- 
tively little attention from the distiller. 
Governmental Control of a Small 
Denatured Alcohol Distillery 
Certain important features of the regu- 
lations of the Bureau of Internal Revenue 
are of special interest to those to whom 
the subject is new. 
First of all, the mere possession of any 
still or distilling apparatus set up, even 
though the same is not employed in distill- 
ing alcohol, subjects its possessor or cus- 
todian to heavy penalties unless he has 
registered it in writing with the collector 
of internal revenue for the district in 
which it is located. The distillation of 
alcohol is forbidden by law, except when 
conducted in accordance with the regula- 
tions issued by the Bureau of Interna] 
Revenue and under the supervision of a 
designated officer, no matter how much 
the alcohol may be mixed or diluted with 
other substances. These facts are em- 
phasized because they directly contradict 
the statements sometimes made that ap- 
paratus and processes can be furnished by 
which denatured alcohol can be made 
without Government supervision 
Other points worthy of mention in this 
connection are as follows: 
Distilleries are to be constructed and 
their machinery is to be arranged in com- 
pliance with the regulations. (Secs. 14-24, 
pp. 45-50.[1]) 
The distiller must own or control the 
land on which the distillery is erected. 
In case that he does not own it or that 
it is mortgaged he must file the written 
consent of the owner or mortgagor to its 
use for distillery purposes. (Sec. 4, p. 41.) 
The distiller must give written notice 
of his intention to engage or continue in 
the distilling business, stating what kinds 
of material he intends to use. (Secs. 5 and 
13, pp. 41-42 and 45.) 
The distillery, when ready for operation, 
must be “surveyed” by a designated Gov- 
ernment official. (Secs. 25 and 6-12, pp. 
50 and 42-45.) 
Before beginning operations, the distill- 
er must file a bond, signed by himself and 
two sufficient sureties, for an amount not 
less than the tax on all the spirit that 
the distillery could produce in a month. 
(Secs. 26-27, pp. 50-52.) 
The survey having been made and the 
bond filed, the distiller must give notice 
of the day on which he will begin opera- 
tions. (Sec. 29, p. 52.) 
Records must be kept by the distiller, 
for inspection by the revenue officers, of 
the amounts and kinds of material re- 
ceived and used and of the amount of al- 
cohol produced. (Secs. 34-87, pp. 54-57.) 
No kind of spirit save alcohol for de- 
naturing purposes can be produced at an 
industrial distillery. (Sec. 38, p. 57.) 
(1) U. S. Internal Revenue Reg. No 30, rev. 
