The Leader, enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1915-1921, 1921-02-09
POTATO SYRUP
PLANT HERE SOON
Department of Agriculture Ex-
plains Fitzgerald Plant
TO SHIP MACHINERY
Expect to Begin Operation of
Plant within Few Weeks

Further details relative to the es.
Enlistment in Fitzgerald OF gov.
eminent plant for the manufacture
OF sweet potato syrup and sugar were
officially issued today by the depart
ment of agriculture. The statemen,
follows:
What may mean an important
new industry for the south and q
market for the waste of one of its
most important farm products. was
given its initial impetus this week
In the decision of the United States
department of agriculture to estab-
lish production unit at Fitzgerald,
ga, for the manufacture of sweet
potato syrup.
The process for the manufacture
OF syrup from sweet potatoes was
worked out In the laboratories of
the bureau of chemistry by Dr. H. C..
Gore. The syrup is rich in sugar, of
hne brown color and highly palat-
able. 1t has been found to be val
liable for baking, candy making and
table purposes; many persons think
it equal to first-class cane syrup.
Cost Still Unknown
while the product is success
from laboratory standpoint, the
department is not in position to
recommend it to manufacturers un-
til questions of the cost of CONNER
cial production and the market value
of the product, compared with cane,
corn and other syrups, is determined
For this reason, the project was
turned over to the offie of develop.
ment, in the bureau of chemistry.
Members of the staff made a tour
of the principal sweet potato CEN
tiers of the South, where they found
widespread interest in the project
Chambers of Commerce, Rotay Clubs
and simila commercial organizations
in score of cities, although aware
that the proposed plant was only ex-
perimental. were anxious to secure it
for their own communities. Fitzger-
aid was selected partly because has a
large potato curing establishment.
which promises a SUPPLY of material
from the 1920 crop. A site and bull
ding for the project were also avail
able.
Equipment especially constructed
by the department, at Washington
will be shipped to Fitzgerald immedi-
ately and installed to be put in op-
Grafton as soon as possible.
To Utilize Surplus.
The possibilities of the sweet potato
syrup Industry lie largely in the utH-
ization and marketing of part of the
crop which heretofore has not been
practicable either for storage or ship
ments to the northern makets. This
results in the loss of a large percen-
tage of the crop annually. Potatoes
that are too large or too small for
table use or for commercial canning
are as useful in syrup making as per-
feet ones.
The process, which was developed
by DIR. Gore, has been patented by
the department of agriculture for
the benefit of the public. The ap-
paratus required is so simple and
comparatively inexpensive that plants
could be established within team-haul-
ing distance of growing centers as is
case with cAnneries.
This is the first project undertaken
by the new office of development
hen the commercial possibilities OF
sweet potato syrup production has
thoroughly tested it is the intention
of the bureau of chemistry to establish
similar semi-commercial plants for the
development of other projects that
have been worked out in its lebor-
atories.