Distilling Of Potatoes
This is a branch of distilling that I cannot too highly recommend to the
attention of every American--nor can the cultivation of this valuable
vegetable be carried to a too great extent, the value of which ought to
be known to every planter and it some times has awakened my surprise
that they are not more cultivated, as it is notorious that they will
sustain, and be a tolerable food for every thing possessing life on this
I hope yet to see the day when it will take precedence of French brandy
and West-India spirits, and thereby retain in our own country, the
immense sums at present expended on those foreign liquors; which, tho'
benefitted by the sea voyage, yet often reaches us in a most
pernicious state, and is frequently adulterated here.
Could the American farmer be brought to raise a larger quantity of
potatoes than necessary for his consumption at home, the price would be
lowered, and the distiller might commence the distillation of them with
greater propriety. That they contain a great deal and a very good
spirit, I am certain, and moreover, after distillation will yield as
great a quantity of good wholesome food for cattle or hogs, as rye or
any other grain. If distillers could be brought to try the experiment of
distilling ten or twelve bushels annually, I venture to predict that it
would soon become a source of profit to themselves, encouragement to the
farmer, and be of benefit to our country at large.
One acre of ground, if well farmed, will produce from fifty to one
hundred bushels of potatoes, but say sixty on an average. One hundred
farmers each planting one acre, would yield six thousand bushels, which
will yield at least two gallons of spirit to each bushel; thus, twelve
thousand gallons of wholesome spirit may be produced, and with care, as
good as necessary to be drank. Each farmer proceeding in this way, would
have one hundred and twenty gallons spirit, as much as he may have
occasion to use in the year, which would save the price of some acres
of wheat or one hundred and twenty gallons rye whiskey. Each acre worked
in potatoes will be in better order to receive a crop of wheat, barley,
rye, or any kind of grain, than from any other culture. The farmer often
receiving the advantage of a double crop, at the expense of seed and
labor. They grow equally well in every soil and climate, in poor as well
as rich ground--provided the thin soil be manured, and the potatoes
plastered with plaster of Paris; and moreover, they are easier prepared
for distilling than either apples, rye or corn, as I shall show
hereafter when I come to treat of the mode of preparation; and in order
to demonstrate the advantages that would arise to the farmer and
distiller; I add a statement of the probable profits of ten acres of
potatoes, and that of a like number of acres of rye, to shew which
offers the greatest advantages.
Potatoes DR.
Ten acres at 60 bushels is
600 bushels at 33 cents $ 198 00
Rye.
Ten acres of Rye, at 30
bushels per acre, is 300
bushels at 60 cents $ 180 00
CR.
600 bushels yielding 2 gallons
to the bushel, 1200
gallons at 50 cents 600
-----
$ 402
CR.
300 bushels yielding 3 gallons
to the bushel, 900
gallons at 50 cents 450
-----
$ 270
Balance in favor of Potatoes $ 132
Thus a balance of one hundred and thirty two dollars would appear in
favor of the yield of potatoes.
I would not pretend to say that ten acres of Potatoes will not take more
labor than ten acres of rye, but this far I will venture to say, that
the profits arising from the sale of this brandy, will more than double
pay the additional expense of raising them, besides the ground will be
in much better condition to receive a crop of wheat, than the rye
ground, nay, will be enriched from the crop, whilst the rye ground will
be greatly impoverished.
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