Strange fruits of research
Page 25
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GLOBE artichokes, according to a French Government report, are a promising source of fuel for motor vehicles. Other crops that might be converted by hydrolysis or fermentation are straw and sweet corn.
More will be known when a big French programme of research into oil substitutes, for which the Government has promised about £1 Om next year, is completed. The production ol -methanol from wood, gas or coal is one of the subjects ol study.
Sunflower and rape oil can be used in diesel engines, and beetroot and sugar cane are other crops that can be converted tc alcohol to mix with petroleum The Government's aim is that lo) 1990 half of France's needs for transport fuel should be mei from domestic produce. Whc knows, Fortnum and Mason mat, one day sell French five-star pe trot distilled from truffles.
Dare one hope that thosE Golden Delicious apples wil eventually issue from French exhaust pipes instead of British greengrocers' shops?