The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-12-03
Ell ECTR|C F|XAT|ON
OF NITROG EN-

TO THE EDITOR:-Four years ago
on the 21st of this month, over the
nom de plume" of Layman, l wrote
for Honolulu journal the accompany
ing paper entitled Nitrogen and Sir
William Crooks" the same being a
criticism of DR.. Walter MaXwelPs "Ob-
servations" on the address delivered
by Sir William Crooks before the Brit
ish Association for the Advancement
of Science, at Bristol, on the 18th Of
September, 1898. 1t was not inserted,
however. as the Editor declined to pub
fish it until he learned what the Great
Magazines had to say relative to Sir
William Crooks address. The writ
er, not recognizing the fairness of such
mode of treatment, withheld the letter.
Four short years are only just COM
plete since Sir Williams clear-sighted
suggestions were made, and today they
are not only being acted on, but acted
on in the very locality pointed out by
him as the one par excellence, suitable
for their successful contamination. The
new industrial enterprise founded at
Niagara by Messrs. Bradley and Love-
joy is a redounding and direct answer
to the adverse views put forth by any
of the Great Magazines" of four years
ago At the conclusion of an article
on Fixing Nitrogen From the Atmos-
pierre" in the American Review of Re-
views, one of the above named gentle
men is thus eulogized: Mr.. Bradley
was already known in the electrical
domain as a tireess and creative engi-
neer, but by his latest efforts, which
only a bold, undaunted genius would
put forth, he has placed himself in line
with men whose actions affect the well
being of the human race"
In his address Sir William Crooks
co g IN gC
at soiree of the Royal Society an eX-
pertinent on The Flame of Burning Nj
trogen. l showed that Nitrogen is
combustible gas, and the reason why
when once ignited the flame does not
spread through the atmosphere and de-
luge the world in a sea of nitric acid
is that its igniting point is higher than
the temperature of it's tlame-not there
fore hot enough to set fire to the ada
cent mixture. By passing a strong in
duction current between terminals the
air takes fire and continues to burn
with a powerful flame, producing nit
rous and nitric acids. This incOnsid-
cradle experiment may not unlikely
lead to the development of a mighty
industry, destined to solve the great
food problem. At Niagara
nitrate of soda would not cost
more than &5 ton. Niagara
quired electric energy without much
lessening it's mighty flow"
Surely, Mr.. Editor, these matters
are of surprising interest and worthy
to be treated with all business and ac-
curacy. The far seeing and accomp-
lished chemist not only showed forth
how but where the cost of nitrogen for
agricultural and all commercial pur-
poses could be notably, aye extraor-
dinarily reduced. He tittingly, strik-
ingly says at the end of his address:
Science has trained and fashioned
the average mind into habits of eXacti-
tude and disciplined perception, and in
so doing has fortified itself for tasks
higher, wider, and incomparabIy more
wonderful than even the wisest among
our ancestors imagined. Stead
| lily, unflinChingly we strive to pierce
the inmost heart of nature, from what
she is to reconstruct what she has been
and to prophesy what she yet shall be.
Veil after veil we have lifted, and her
face grows more beautiful, august and
wonderful with every barrier that is
withdrawn"
l hope, sir, l am not too far tres
passing on your courtesy in asking
that the original paper, together with
this explanation, be admitted to your
columns.
Yours obedently
CHARLES F. HART.