The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-12-15
POTATO FUEL
FOR AUTOMOBILES
ALCOHOL FROM VEGETABLE MAY
BE USED TO FURNISH ExPLo-
sIvE FoRcE-HIcH PRICE OF
GASOLINE MAKES SUBSTITUTE
NECESSARY.

Alcohol made from potatoes will be
used for running automobiles, IL the
plans for a number Of enthusiastic in
vestigators prove successful, says The
Virginia Pilot. Scientists are working;
both In this country and in Germany
to solve the problem of producing
toes are receiving especial attention
in their experiments.
Parings and unstable tubers can be
utilized in the production Of the alco-
hol. IL there were a number Of dis
tilleries in the potato growing belts, 1t
10 argued, the market would be broad
ened and steadied. 1t would not be
necessary to lose a crop because of
lack Of market. A situation of this
sort developed last season in parts of
the west, where high class potatoes
grow in abundance. In spite Of pre-
vaiiing high prices for nearly every
thing in Chicago and other large mar
kets, the westerners found that condi-
tions at the time were such that they
could not ship their potatoes with
profit, so In several places the crop
went to ruin.
Information has been given out by
the United States department OF asri-
culture regarding the progress Of using
potato culls as source of industrial
alcohol, and there IL also discussion
of the utilization OF other waste.
Work Of this sort has received an
impetus because OF the belief that
gasoline is going to become so high
priced as result Of automobiles that
1t will be necessary to find cheaper
substitute. 1t Is asserted that alcohol
could do the work, provided 1t could
be produced cheap enough and that
engines could be constructed so that
# can be used.
In Germany and other countries
alcohol 10 used successfully for run
ming stationary and traction engines.
this industry has advanced far enough
in Germany 50 that there are now two
classes Of growers, those who produce
POTATOES for the table and others who
supply the manufacturers OF the sew
ereal products made from the tubers.
In addition to alcohol the Germans
make glucose and potato starch from
the products. of the potato fields. On
account Of their thorough going scien-
tific methods the German growers
make the yield OF their fields come to
about seven times the figure estab-
lished in the average field.
The growing Importance Of the In
dustries based on the mannfacture Of
several products from potatoes in q
commercial manner caused the de-
partment Of agriculture to send al,
expert from Colorado to the old world
in order that he might study condi-
tions III foreign fields and factories.
Eugene Fl. Grubb, who was chosen
for the mission, returned recently. but
declined to say much about what he
had found out until he had reported
to Secretary Wilson. 1t Is known, how
ever, in spite Of EFFORTS on the part
OF inventors to keep the secret, that
the manufacture Of glucose and alco-
hol from potatoes has reached such
proportions abroad that a most prom
Using field for manufacturing has been
opened up.
According to the officials in charge
OF the distilIery where the experiments
Tor the department OF agriculture
were conducted, plants can be estab-
lished on large farms or by communi-
ties Of farmers. A total investment OF
$4,000. 1t Ii estimated, will provide
D distillery which will produce alco-
hol from potatoes on profitable basis.
The announcement that this can be
done Is founded on the knowledge Of
what has been done in other countries
and the fact that large quantities Of
potatoen with the necessary starch
contents are avnfIablN tn fh4m rnurtrv