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rasping, and the starch pulp goes onto gauze shaking tables where the starch grains are washed through the sieve, as indicated in Figs. 42 and 43. The separated starch and water go into settling tanks. Where the starch has settled into a firm mass it is broken up and sent to the drying kiln. Potato starch is highly prized as a sizing in the textile industry.

Fig. 41.—Rasping Cylinder for Making Starch.—(Courtesy Department of Agriculture.)

Fig. 42.—Shaking Table for Separating the Starch From the Pulped Potato.—(Courtesy Department of Agriculture.)

Use of the Potato in the Manufacture of Spirits.—A much more important technical use of the potato is in the manufacture of distilled spirits. Distilled spirits made from the potato are not generally used for potable purposes but are devoted to industrial uses. In the United States, very little if any distilled spirits are made from the potato. In Europe, however, especially in Germany, the industry is one of great magnitude. Practically all of the industrial spirits used in Germany and in many parts of Europe are made from the potato. The process is a simple one. The pulp of the potato, or starch, separated therefrom is subjected to the action of malt or other diastatic action for the purpose of converting the starch into sugar. In some cases this conversion takes place by more strictly chemical means, namely, by heating the pulpy matter or the starch separated therefrom in a proper state of dilution, in contact with an acid at a high temperature and pressure.