The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1907-07-04
FERTILIZER FROM AIR.
Muscle Shoals Power to Be Utilized
In Deriving II.

So)iAiSAAo VI WIN coN, III GIL iillS1 V NV
June il predicted that nitrogen from
the air would be used for fertiliza-
ton Of the soil within 10 years. But
a Nashville (Tenn.) man is accomp-
fishing this achievement for the
South in a much shorter time than
Mr.. Edison's limit, and it will be less
than two years before fertilization
from this source is an absolute fact.
Mr.. Frank S. Washburn of the
Muscle Shoals Hydro Electric Pow
er Co. and also president of the
American Cyanamid Co. has devoted
years of study and experiment to the
subject, with the result that the COM
pany he represents will place in op-
GRAFTON a plant with the capacity of
10000 tons initial capacity as soon
as the Muscle Shoals power plant is
ready for operation. This plant will
represent an investment of $1,000,-
900, 1t is already we'll advanced in
construction, and the South is practi-
cally ready to cope with one of the
greatest problems Of the day in ag-
riculture.
The question of using this nitro
gen from the air for fertilization in
wolves the food supply of the whole
world, and the immensity of it is
staggering even to the most ad-
vanced scientists. The first cost of
putting this substance on the mar
ket is difficult to estimate, though it
has been assured that the price of
the commodity in marketable form
will be much less than that of the
regulation ammoniates now in use.
The product will be manufactured
in Alabama, though the brain power
behind the work belongs to Tennes-
see, Mr.. Washburn being d resident
of Nashville, with office in the Cole
Building, where the permanent head
quarters of the American Cyanamid
Co. will be located. The bulk of the
factory's output will also be used in
this State.
When Mr.. Edison discussed this
subject he said that he expected TO
see atmospheric fertilizer on the
market in this country within the
next 10 years; that such a product
would soon be absolutely necessary,
and that every shipload of corn and
wheat which goes abroad leaves the
United States so much the poorer in
nitrogen. He further said:
Until recently the utilization of
atmospheric nitrogen was regarded
as merely a laboratory demonstration.
Business men said it would never be
obtained cheaply enough to sell the
farmer as fertilizer. In Norway a
plant has been established with such
good results that | expect to see at
mospheric fertilizer on the market in
this country within the next 10
years."
The wizard of electricity did not know
at the time that much nearer home
than Norway a company had been
formed and had purchased the exclu-
sive American rights for the manu-
facture of atmospheric nitrogen and
to have the exclusive use in America
of the machinery for this purpose,
which anticipates an output of 49,
900 tons of nitrogen annually, to be
increased gradually to 100000 tons
per year.
Mr.. Washburn, president of the
company, will address the Board of
Trade on this interesting and impor-
tant subject at the membership
meeting June 27. Muscle Shoals,
where the plant will be located, is
one of the few spots which offer ad-
vantageous ground for this industry
which requires large amount OF
hydro-electric or other natural
power that is cheap.
In discussing the topic and the
causes that have made its present
manufacture a pressing need, Mr.
Washburn said:
The increase of population anc
the decrease of plant food in the
soil create danger Of cutting of
the food supply of the world "a fact
that has been recognized by scien-
lists for some time. Vast sums OF
money and incalculable time have
been spent in determining exactly
when the world will feel the pang:
of huger from this cause unless other
sources of supply are discovered be
sides the existing stores of nitrogen
Gus deposits. Depleted soils must
be supplied with the food supply o.
which they are robbed by the success