The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-10
MAKE OWN FUEL.
Prof. r. ii, True Talks of Uses
of Denatured Alcohol.
Advises Farmers How 1t May
Be Utilized.
THE WAY is OPEN.
Have a Right to Manufacture
It Themselves.
Oil Trust Will Have No TerrOrs
for Them.

According to Prof. Rodney H. True
of the United States department Of
agriculture at Washington, who read
a paper on "Denatured Alcohol and
the Farmer" a last nights session of
the state board of agriculture. there
is possibility of a still on every
large farm and a new industry for
Kansas. When this time arrives and
the prophecy is that it is not far dis
tant, the Standard Oil company will no
longer have any terror for the Kansas
farmer, who will be able to manufac-
ture a better fuel from the products
of his farm at a price less than he now
pays for oil.
Mr.. True is an enthusiast on the
subject of denatured alcohol and is
firm in his belief that it will revolu-
tionize the life of the farmer and his
wife when the time arrives that it is
manufactured on the farm under the
restrictions made by the government.
AS 1t is now made, 1t is finding ready
sale as fuel and for lighting purposes
and though the price per gallon is
more than double that of the common
coal oil of commerce it's lasting quail
ties make it cost but little more.
One of the beauties of the combusti-
BILE fluid is that it can be made from
the refuse from the farm, mouldy
corn, apples that will not do for the
market, corn stalks as well as a num-
Der of other products. Prof. True car
ries with him a number Of articles for
the purpose of illustrating the use Of
the new fuel. among them "perfect>
ly lovely fiat iron so beautifully
nickeled and perfectly designed that
the appearance indicates that ironing
day in the future on the farm will be
a pleasure.
A tank hardly larger than a thim-
BILE and affixed to the iron carries d
supply of denatuped alcohol sufficient
to operate in for half an hour and
keep it just the right heat for ironing.
There is a possibility that when dena-
ture alcohol comes into general use
that ironing day on the farm Will cor
respond with a Kensington in town
or the old fashioned sewing bee in the
country where the neighboring house.
wives are invited in.
AS described by Prof. True. tie pos
sibilities of denatured alcohol are al
most as numerous and wonderful as
within a short time that the cost OF
production will be less than that OF
gasoline and there can be no monop-
oily to control the sale and manufac-
ture and coal oil and gasoline will then
becomerTa thing of the past as, dena-
tured alcohol will supplant them as
comm odity of commerce. = e~,l'i>
Prof. True carries a lamp for DEM
OnStratiOn purposes which wears d
mantle just as a gas jet does and gives
a much better light than either oil or
gasoline and that without the danger
from explosions. 1t costs less to run
this lamp than if it burned either oil
or gasoline and there is no grease
bearing preparation to be spilled
about to mar and disf1gure the home
and its furnishings.
One of the great advantages of de-
natured alcohol as a fuel is that it
reduces the possibility of fire from ex-
plosions or accidents to the minimum
Unlike coal oil or gasoline, it mixes
readily with water and in case Or
spreading it when spilled and ignited
a portion of water mixes instantly ana
smothers the flames. There Is no pos
sibilitw of asphyxiation and it is odor-
less save for trace of alcohol fumes
which are speedily dissipated.
1t can be used in a stove similar
to a gasoline stove and with safety as
there is not a possibility of an ex-
plosion and the danger from ignition
is reduced to the minimum. 1t will
take the place of gasoline in running
the engines On the farm and the
of the refuse of the farm and can be
purchased without paying a toll to
some wealthy corporation.
The law which was passed in June
1906 does not widen the con-
ditions under which this alcohol
can be manufactured but does widen
the condition under which it can be
used. A farmer who wishes to oper-
ate a distillery for alcohol for indus
trial purposes may do so providing it
does not exceed capacity of 100 gal
Ions of proof spirits during "a hours:
Professor True looks upon Kansas
as one of the natural fields for the
production of denatured alcohol as
the state has an unlimited supply of
the materials necessary for the manu-
facture at a minimum cost. Then the
state is one of the large users Of gas
oline for the purpose of propelling
farm machinery. especially pumping
plants in the western section Of the
state.
An idea of the cheapness of de-
natured alcohol may be gained from
the statement of Professor True that
% bushels of Kansas corn will make
So gallons of denatured alcohol of a
strength sufficient for Illuminating
purposes. This same grade of alcohol
can be used for all purposes for which
gasoline is now used on the farm and
will be of especial value for use in
operating gasoline engines.
During the afternoon meeting
Colonel E. r. Smith, president of the
Linn County Fair association bror1pht