Alcohol from Irish Potatoes.
Page 6
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Mr. W. J. Malden, one of the largest growers of potatoes in the kingdom, makes the following contribution to the discussion on " Alcohol for Motors," initiated by Dr. \V. R. Ormandy, in his address to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders • "The statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer that the average price of potatoes to the Irish farmer is 4z per ton seems to have been accepted as being conclusive that there is no possi. inlay of Irish potatoes being made use of. Had he said that no potatoes could be bought in Ireland under .42 per ton there might have been some good reason why this reading should be accepted. But, surely, where the average price of sound potatoes is only 42, it must be certain that a large proportion fall below that sum. For my own part, I am quito certain that the whole growth of Irish potatoes dots n,,t bring home clear Le to the Irish farmer. As a farmer, I lost faith in the report from which he took his evidence when I saw that he gave this sum as the average; and as a layman, after hearing the speeches the other night, I was not too convinced that engineers and scientists were too sure of themselves as to the possibilities of alcohol as a source of energy. I rather gathered that they had not yet learned how to apply it so as to secure anything like the best result from it, even though German engineers had been at work on it. Doubtless the convenience of petrol, and the heavy Excise charges and difficulties on British alcohol, has prevented a full application of intellect to alcohol. But this is not conclusive that alcohol might not under some conditions be better suited to the work. Failure is only negative evidence. If petrol is best and the supply likely to be equal to any develop• ment of automobiles, the subject may well be left where it is. Still, it seemed to me that the price of alcohol, especially from potatoes, was regarded as a stumbling block, and likely to binder research towards its use. I cannot hut think that there is a very wrong idea as to the price at which potatoes, well suited to the making of alcohol, are obtainable. As, within the last few months, I have had to leave potatoes in the clump because the demand for those too rough for culinary purposes, though of high starchy-yielding properties, has been so small that they would not pay to send away, I could not help feeling that I would have liked to have had the Chancellor of the Exchequer or Mr. Scott-Montagu as prospective purchasers—not at £2 per ton, but even at the lowly 59. I have in my experience practically thrown away hundreds of tons, all good stuff to make alcohol. Every year there is a vast quantity of rough stuff practically wasted.
"The United Kingdom grows something like 1,20(4000 acres of potatoes. In most years there is a considerable amount of disease—not necessarily disease which reduces the potato to a pulp at (nee, but which renders it unfit for culinary purposes, though little affecting its use for making alcohol. As, during recent years, potatoes have been imported from so many widely. lying countries, the number of diseases affecting them has largely increased in the United Kingdom, and there is little likelihood of there being less disease in future. As stock food, potatoes have not a big value, especially as if fed to horses, cattle, etc., in free quantities they are highly poisonous. In fact, I have had horses and cattle poisoned by them. I am confident that two tons an acre does not, on an average, cover the waste in potato growing, and this gives approximately million tons, which sell at „Cr per ton or under, or which are wastefully fed to animals or are allowed to rot. Surely these would not be too dear as a source of alcohol were Excise difficulties alleviated and denaturing adopted? Personally, I have not the holy and awesome regard for the Excise which some speakers expressed. The country is not run for the good of the Excise, at least, it ought not to be, and necessarily new irdustries should not be sacrificed for the convenience of a Chancellor of the Exchequer. Moreover, as Germany gets over the difficulty by denaturing, one does not see why we should not have equal ingenuity. A far greater difficulty lies before future Governments in connection with Ireland. I am fully aware of the trifling nature of many matters which are made by questions in connection with Ireland, and am often astounded how an intelligent Parliament or people can be hoodwinked by them. But, as an agricultural country, I am quite sure that the biggest problem that has ever affected Ireland, and one which has sound reason in it, is that of the possible cropping of the land. "The members of your society will generally agree that motors are to replace horses. Ireland is essentially a horserearing country. The staple crops of Ireland are grass, oats, straw, and roots, all of which are largely grown to support horses in Ireland and out of it. I leave out potatoes for the moment. What crops can anyone suggest which can keep the land in cultivation in Ireland as the horses give way to the motor? Canada is relatively near at hand to send over oats
and hay, which it must do in fast-increasing quantity now that the land is being so rapidly brought under the plough. What is the future of Ireland unless some help is given to it to develop its potato growing? The question is not one of mere sympathy—it is one of dire necessity ; a people starved where they might be fed, or of a quickly-denuded population. The report ef the Commission on Alcohol is presumably respeasible for the answer the Chancellor gave, and wherever the Commission looked for information, they certainly got it ertoneously. Still, a big responsibility rests on the Chancellor of the Exchequer in giving an opinion which must have a bad influence on Ireland, mid also on English farmers; but English fatmers are too accustomed to be slighted to expect A ny thing different.
" In writing as to the errors made in saying that the Irish farmer gets h2 per ton on an average for his potatoes, I have grounds for doing it, because it is a matt nin which I have had special opportunities for observation. Some few years ago it fell to my lot to be responsible for the agricultural section of the Royal Dublin Society, and whilst there I instituted ex periments in potato growing in every county in Ireland. In one year I judged the farms in the society's competitions for farm prizes throughout Leinster. It was a condition that all information required should be at the disposal of the judges. Moreover, I saw example holdings in Connaught, and other duties took me frequently in Munster. With the knowledge I gained then, I arn quite sure the Irish farmer does not average Z2 clear on the whole of his crop. My impression is that those who supplied the information merely looked to the market quotations, and had no regard to the vast portion of the crop which does not get to market. Near Dublin, Belfast, Cork, Waterford, and a few other places, potato growing is carried on in a highly skilful manner, and potatoes of high quality are raised. The growers have large populations at hand; moreover, they export a good many. These, I quite believe, average 42 per ton, and considerably more. But there are only it towns in Ireland with a population of ro,000 people, and, apart from these, the people are rural or semi-rural. Yet some 600,000 acres or more are grown yearly. The better quality goes to the town, or for export. The bulk of the potatoes are of low culinary quality, apart from those in the districts mentioned, and when exported to England fetch low prices. The main portion of the crop is consumed at home, where certainly they have not a value of 42 per ton. It is customary to boil up a considerable quantity daily, and for the family to eat what it likes, while the remainder goes to the pigs, poultry, or other live stock. The price of pork in Ireland does not allow a high price for the potatoes from which it is raised ; eggs and poultry show little return on the prices paid, and milk, even tinder the advantages of organisation, fetches only sid. per gallon with the skim back. How can anyone make the return above Zr per ton when such conditions prevail? But then there are the rough and partially diseased, to say nothing of the diseased, which might have been utilised had they at once been directed to industrial purposes. Taking out the top prices of the specially good ones, those sold to towns or for export have to carry heavy charges for carriage, commission, sacks, extra labour in sorting, etc., which make the price at home very different from that at market. In Ireland, England, and Scotland it is not, however, a matter of average that needs to be dealt with industrially. It is the big lower stratum of poor cookers, though sound, of ill-shape, small, and those injured by digging, by insects, by frost, by flood, by disease in many forms, etc., for which a market is specially needed, and for which Li per ton would be gladly accepted. These run into millions of tons every year. I do not know, but I suppose that is getting somewhere near to sawdusi price. Is home to help home industries? Have our engineers and scientists not the knowledge and skill to bring these into use?
"Of course all does not rest with automobiles. There are many other industries which could be greatly advanced were Excise difficulties removed. Automobilists are, however, an organised body with the ear of Parliament, and are associated, directly or indirectly, with other industries which they could ir fluence, and might lead the way. Several speakers at the Cecil expressed their goodwill towards the farmers, whose industry is disappearing as the horse, with no food needs, b_as to disappear before the machine made in France, the petrol made in America, and the smell made in England. These would, probably, with better data before them, be able to come over and help us. Possibly some of those who smiled loud at each mention of Ireland might give the subject more serious con sideration and more active support. The usefulness of the potato crop as a source of food in time of war is not altogether ridiculous, unless the country is as safe in reality as it may be on paper."