Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-08-17
THE PRODUCTION OF POTASH
By Frederick Haskln

The production OF potash is one indus
try in which the United States does not
excel or even equal, it's great CONNER
cial rival, Germany. In fact Germany
stands alone in that particular neld
America and practically all the rest OF
the world have to depend upon the "Fa-
therland' for their supply of potash, for
use in chemistry and industry, agricul-
ture and horticulture. This does not
mean that there is no potash in the
world outside of Germany. for the soils
end rocks of all countries contain more
or less potash, but it does mean that ex-
tensive potash deposits, so far as known,
are confined to Germany.
Potash has been known to man and
recognized as such for many generations.
but 1t was not until the last century that
potassium was discovered to be an ele-
ment, Of which potash is the commonest
form. The production OF potash on
large scale dates back only to 1851, when
mining operations were begun in the Ger
man potash deposits. These are located
near Strassfurt. Their discovery Is al
legged to have resulted from somebody's
theory that numerous saline springs in
the neighborhood must flow from a sub
terranean deposit of salt. Borings were
made and the richest known deposits Of
potash, besides salt and gypsum, were
found.
Further Investigations have shown
that the bed of potash at Strassfurt is
from 50 to 100 feet thick and extends over
very large area. There are deposits
Of salt and gypsum OVERLAPPING the pot
ash to depth of many feet. These de-
posits Of mineral wealth have an inter-
esting natural history. Scientists say
that in some prehistoric age the region
about the present site OF Strassfurt was
covered by the sea. Then a volcanic
CONFUSION occurred ana mountain ranges
were heaved up on either side, thus en-
closing vast lagoon. or arm of the sea.
The water is supposed to have been
boiling at that time, as the temperature
Of the earth was very high. Evaporation
was most rapid and as the water in the
lagoon turned to vapor' II was replaced
by more water from the sea- After q
time the lagoon became so intensely sa-
line in character that the potash, salt
and gypsum we're deposited on it's bed.
Later the sea receded and the lagoon
completely dried up, leaving the existing
beds of potash, ETC., to be covered by
the vegetation and other formations Of
succeeding ages. Nobody has explained
how or why the sea was so full of potash
In prehistoric times. 1t certainly is not
now 80.
Ever since the enormous value of the
German potash deposits became known
to the world, people in America and 9TH
er countries have been seeking similar
deposits In every likely place. BIOLOGISTS
say there is no reason they know of why
potash should not exist in large ouanti-
ties elsewhere than in Germany. but thew
have not yet found It, although Canada
and one or two other countries produce
small quantities Of the mineral. There are
few things which are not found in the
United States, and large deposit of pot
ASH is one OF them. Some years ago a
number Of deep wells were sunk In the
Louisiana salt district in the hone of
nnding a potash mine there, but the
search proved unsuccessful.
IL may seem natural that the German
monopoly In potash should lead to the
creation of what is perhaps the greatest
trust In the world, so far as absolute
control over single product and alb
sence OF competition are concerned The
potash trust is known as the Kali svr-
dicate. Organized in 1879, 1t controls prac-
ucaIiy every concern that produces pot
ASH L@dbt year nine new mining connpa-
MES were added to its membership and
this year thirteen more new works will
! go into operation. The capital of this
combination is less than s2OO, 600, 900, which
is small in comparison with the capItal
OF some great American operations. II
has $500 miners and other employees on
its pay roll.
/ The annual sales of potash aggregate
nearly SIS. 000, coo In value and the potash
! trust has agents all over the world ex-
| plotting its product with a view to in
creasing sales. At this rate 1t is estimat-
ed that even in case no other potash de-
posits are discovered, the German mines
| will be able to supply the world for sew
| eral centuries.
! Following the approved habits OF trusts
the Kali Syndicate practices discrimina-
! ton in its business. 1t extends favors
, to the German trade with the result that
/ Germany consumes nearly half of the
! potash product. America and other coun-
! tries take what is left and on the terms
! of the German syndicate. 1t is not sur
prising that the stock OF potash-produc-
ing companies is popular among Ger
| man spectators.
! Potash has many uses It's greatest how
! ever Is for fertilizing purposes. The theo-
| ry OF it's effect upon vegetation is not
| exactly understood, but 1t is a fact that
land which is poor in potash produces