but I would by no means recommend the use of it when it can be avoided.
Tho' sometimes necessity requires that a distiller should mash it for a
day or two, when any thing is the matter, or that grain cannot be
procured. In such event, the directions for distilling rye, or rye and
corn may be followed, but it requires a much larger quantity of boiling
water and if distilled by itself; it is necessary some wheat bran be
mixed with it to raise it to the top of the hogshead: but by no means
use buckwheat meal in making yeast.

ART. V.

_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
earth--and as they produce a brandy, if properly made, of fine flavour.
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 dra