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784
x. manufacturing industries of 8wedbn.
Spirit Distilleries.
In the production of spirits, potatoes are principally employed,
though grain of all kinds are also used and, to some extent, molasses
and beet. Of the ordinary cereals, rye, barley, and mixed corn occupy
the most prominent place, barley, otherwise employed in the manufacture
of malt, coming first.
In years when the potato crop is a poor one, certain quantities of
maize are imported for use in the distilleries. With regard to the use
of the potato in distillation, it was soon after its introduction into the
country, about 1750, that its applicability to this purpose was fonnd
out, though it was probably not until some fifty years later that its
employment became at all general.
In years when the potato crop is an average one, about 62 % of all spirits
distilled are produced from potatoes, 30 to 35 % from maize and grain, and the
rest from molasses and beet. As to the proportion of the crops used for spirits,
it may be mentioned that, in 1872, 17 % of the total potato crop and l-s s of
the grain-crop found their way to the distilleries, whereas in 1896 the figures
were 7"4 % and 0"82 % respectively. It should, however, be stated that a not
inconsiderable quantity of rye is imported for use in the German yeast factories;
if that amount be deducted, the portion of the home grain crop used for the
production of spirits is so much less.
The spirit industry is becoming more and more an independent one.
In earlier times, and as låte as in the seventies, it was partly carried on
as a branch of agriculture. Thus, the number of distilleries with an
annual turnout of more than 5,000 hectoliters — for Sweden undoubtedly
a large quantity — was 5*6 % of the total number in 1886, but more
than 20 % in 1900. The number of small distilleries is decreasing.
In the middle of last century, all the different parts of the country
were concerned in the distillation of spirits, now it is chiefly done in
the provinces of Östergötland, Vestergötland, Skåne, and Blekinge. The
Län of Kristianstad, in Skåne, is the chief center of the industry, half
the total turnout emanating from there.
A special branch of Swedish spirit-distillation i9 the experiment made with
lichens. Professor Stenberg suggested the process, and it was carried on during the
years 1867/77. The reindeer-moss contains a species of cellulosa that saccharifies
readily and soon commences to ferment alcoholically. The spirit made from lichens
had, however, a peculiar flavour which rendered it difficult to dispose of in the market.
Taxation. The distillation of spirits began in Sweden as early as the 15th
century, but was not subjected to any control until the year 1638, when a levy
on the manufacture was made for the first time, distillation for home
consumption and that for sale being treated on different bases. From that time onwards,
the distilling industry has had a very chequered career, having been altogether
prohibited in years when the grain crop has been small. In 1775, the distillation
of spirits became a monopoly of the State, being carried on at Crown distilleries.
This state of things was, however, abolished in 1798, license to distil having
already in 1787 been hired out to private persons.
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