The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1903-11-03
4 new FUEL
FOR FARMERS
May Raise 1t When Congress Re-
moves the Tax.
THE LIGHT IN POTATOES
The Wonderful Possibilities of the
HomeIy Ola Vegetable to Furn. sh
Heat and Light for Country PEG.
pie.

AS one of the greatest potato re-
Sions in the world, both in quality
and yield per acre, Kalispell may
some day become the seat of the pro-
duction of potato alcohol. Govern
ment tests, it is asserted, have shown
that the starch percentage of the
Flathead potatoes are higher than
they are for the spuds grown in any
other part of the United States. The
abundance of starch in these pota-
toes would make them particularly
adapted to producing alcohol.
That alcohol can be produced from
potatoes at cost of considerably
less than 10 cents a gallon, providing
an inexpensive and nearly perfect
fuel, has betn shown by tests. An
agitation has been begun among con
gressmen to have the duty taken from
potato alcohol for use in the arts,
and it is believed that if this con-
cession is obtained the production of
alcohol will be carried on on a large
scale in the potato regions OF the
country.
In the central states, where there
are two bushels of culls dug for every
bushel of merchantable potatoes, the
potato alcohol has assumed Important
proportions. The culls can be used
for producing the alcohol. The culis
in Washington and here might be
graded nearly as high as merchant
able potatoes of Illinois and Niscnn.
sin, and amount to less than third
or a half of the entire crop. Pro lCc-
ton of alcohol on large scale, now
ever, in this region would ptrIile
steady market for large potato crops,
and would keep the prices more uni
form.
The Chicago Packer, organ of the
National Growers and Shippers as
ISOLATION. has this to say about pota-
10 alcohol and its production as a big
boost for the potato raiser:
The heavy tax on the manufacture
of alcohol shuts out the greatest out
let for the surplus potato crop. If
large potato growers realized just
what they were losing every year by
the present federal laws they would
take prompt steps to secure an
amendment to the internal revenue
laws so that alcohol could be made
free of tax. just as it is in Germany.
German scientists have made the
future of the potato certain. Where
a few years ago a large crop meant
absolute loss to many, today there is
an outlet for every bushel of every
kind of stock. The exporters who,
until recently. depended upon the
prices in foreign markets now acc al
solultely Independent. If another
country wants German potatoes it
"a hn
will go to the alcohol works.
IN 1896 in Germany the total crop
was 1880, 900 tons, while in 1891 i.
was 4S,6S7,OO tons. This enormous
increase is due solely to the demand
for potato alcohol The German gov
eminent, by requiring the use of a
cOloring matter in the potato alcohol,
insures it's use in the arts and under
freedom from duty its production has
been enormous.
"All of the great manufacturers of
motor vehicles in Germany snc" lie
most approved models equipped for
the use of potato alcohol IS incl. var
twf years the Russian navy has been
1lsirg potato alcohol boat motors up
- 500 horse power, with hiShlv sue
cesslul results. More recently tn" IN
lell.a' revenue tax has been icm wed
frcm Russian alcohol whom used for
industrial purposes. making IT'S no
tluCiOn a source of increased wealth
TO the peasantry.
"Alcohol vapor. in hooded mantle,
burns with an incandescent lame
which rivals the arc light in brillan-
cy and requires to be shaded to
ADAPT it to the endurance of human
eyes. Alcohol stoves furnish clean,
odorlefss. convenient and powerful
heat. and what is more. an economi-
cal fuel Potato alcohol is the sue
cessor for oil since no monopoly can
control it"