Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-04-21
SULPHATE OF AMMONIA AS
A SOURCE OF NITROGEN

Much interest has been aroused in
sulphate Of ammonia as a source OF
nitrogen. This Is due no doubt to the
high price OF this element and the
search on the part OF farmers and fer
tulizer manufacturers for some high
grade material that i'll supply part OF
this material in a relatively concen-
tEated form and At a reasonable cost
Sulphate OF ammonia is not a new plant
food product II has been on the mar
ket for many years. but il has not been
extensively used in the United States
ND 10 this time. though large quantities
Of IL are manufacture and utilized in
Europe where IL Is regarded with much
favor. In America something like
1900 tons are manufactured at pres
enL but 100000 tons can easily be
made with the present development OF
our coal and gas industries.
Sulphate OF ammonia is a chemical
salt and when perfectly pure contains
about 2l-2 per cent OF nitrogen The
commercial product. as a rule. contains
only about 20 per cent. but even then IL
constitutes one OF the richest in nitro
gen OF any of the commercial carriers
Of this product IN other words, ton
contains about 400 pounds, so that IL is
richer BY from 60 70 50 pounds in nitro
gen than nitrate OF soda Sulphate of
ammonia is obtained from the dry dis
tfllation OF animal bones in the manu-
facture OF bone black It is also OBJ
tanned from the distillation Of coal in
The manufacture OF Illuminating gas.
and IL is a by-product in the manufac-
ture OF coke. The principal sources
from which il is derived at present are
the last two mentioned. and undoubted-
" q much larger quantity or IL viii be
manufactured and placed on the market
in the next few years
SuIphate OF ammonia is the second
most quickly available form OF nitro
gen which can be utilized by the farmer.
Nitrate OF soda is more quickly avaiia-
BE in that he nitrogen Is already in the
form OF a nitrate. In the sulphate one
transformation must take place in the
soil &c render IL available as plant food,
but this takes place with comparative
ease, and therefore IL becomes one Of
the most quickly available and desira-
bic forms OF heterogeneous material to
use, either in q complete fertilizer under
certain conditions. or TO apply as top
dressing. It's advantages are naturally
It's concentrated form which reduces the
cost OF handling. its relatively quickly
availability, and its physical condition.
which permits its ready distribution.
either singly or In mixtures.
IN appearance high-grade sulphate OF
ammonia is a grayish or blush white
salt. and odorless. The grains are about
the size OF ordinary table salt. and the
ffnge OF blue, gray or brown, which IT
sometimes shows. is due TO the presence
Of q small amount OF iron OF tarry
matter. This, however. does not affect
IN any way its agricultural value. IL Is
quite readily soluable in water. and may
he kept in storage for long periods OF
time without loss OF strength, provided
certain conditions are observed It
should always be protected from rain.
and should be piled on dry floor and
kept free OF moisture IL should not De
mixed with lime. basic Stag or wood
ashes. for when this is done the am
monEa win be liberated and lost One
can be quite sure as 20 whether there IS
any change taking place in pile OF
xnIphate or not by the presence or ao-
sence OF the oder OF ammonia one
purchasing this material can test 1t for
purity without much trouble, for the
nure product is entirely volatile at a
low red heat II there is a considerable
residue left after heating sample at
the temperature Indicated, IL is an evil
dence OF an admixture with some for
eign material
sulphate OF ammonia may be used in
complete fertilizers with advantage. in
mixtures OF superphosphates, potash
salts. taul<age and cotton seed meal II
may be applied either broadcast or in
the drill. It may be used as top dress
ing for oats and other winter growing
cereals. OF even on corn and cotton Its
application would be quite similar In most
respects 20 that OF nitrate OF soda As a
top dressing from 10 10 200 pounds may
Be used Since It contains % pounds OF
available nitrogen per each 100 pounds,
an application OF 30 pounds would be
regarded as rather heavy. and would
probably only be justified in most cases