Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-01-08
FERTILIZER SITUATION IN THE US.
SUPPLY OF POTASH, PHOSPHATE AND
NITROGEN WOULD DEMAND ECONOMY

latter can be done readily by recryS-
utilization but the separation of the
Juice from the organic material is
more difficult, for the reason that
the kelp is nonfbrous and in attempts
to effect separation by alteration the
filters become clogged and unwork-
able. The problems yet to be work
ed out commercially are the best
methods of drying the wet kelp and
of effecting the ready and efficient
~ation of the plant juices from
the organic material. Investigation
OF these questions has proceeded far
enough to indicate that their 'olution
should not be very difficult.
Three large concerns have begun
operations for the manufacture of
potash from kelp While potash is
Indispensable in the preparation of
fertilizers, it is also used for many
! other purposes, including the manu-
facture of matches, glass, liquid
soap, and munitions. The prices Of
feretS under existing conditions by
: the manufacturers of such articles
undoubtedly will cause practically the
| entire output of these concerns to be
: diverted from the fertilizer industry.
1t seems unlikely that normal condi-
tions will be restored in the imme
date future and that potash can be
secured from foreign sources as here
tofore in time for the next crop plant
ing season. 1t also seems improbable
that private enterprise will provide
potash from domestic sources for
, agricultural purposes in time. 1t
, would require ninety or more plants,
; costing approximately $4,000 and
r have an operating capital of about
I $4,000 each, to produce the quantity
. needed for agriculture. This would
: involve the assumption that the COM
9 mercial phases of the problem were
: satisfactorily solved. Even If the
e requisite funds were available, it is
C o question whether operations could
: begin in time to provide an adequate
t supply for the coming year. The
e department is investigating all as
! poets of the question and is planning
S to send experts to California to study
the situation and especially to con-
}, slider possibilities of production on a
commercial scale.
One fact has operated in meas
/ ure to embarrass private enterprise
a in this field There is no legislation
I in any of the Pacific Coast states,
S along whose shores the kelp lies, pro-
$ viding for the leasing Of the kelp
I beds. Without leases private invest
I ors would have no assurance that
/ plants erected by them would have
l. the necessary control over the ke!p
q within their vicinity. The depart
5 ment's officers will discuss this mat
ter with the proper authorities in the
G Pacific Coast states and will urge the
i necessity of legislation regulating the
j. use OF the beds.
The Phosphate Situation.
Acid phosphate liz the basis of near
ly all commercial mixed fertilizers.
1t is made by the action of sulphuric
acid upon phosphate rock. Our avail
able sources of phosphate rock are
greater than those of any other ma
!, ton. The main supply for domestic
!, consumption and for expectation
:, lima, and Florida. The United State
government, however, OWLS vast de-
:, posits of phosphate rock i'll Utah,
, | Wyoming. Montana, and neighborinS
!, states These deposits have been
withdrawn from private use pending
j, legislation for their utilization ana
), no supply has yet been developed
: from this source.
e In 1914, 2, $4,000 tons of phosphate
/. rock were produced in this country.
e Up to that year about one-half the
e quantity mined was exported to Ed
e rope. The rock in its natural state
r is not readily absorbed as plant
S food. 1t is made available for this
e purpose by treatment with sulphuric
II acid, about / ton of the acid being
used to ton OF phosphate rock.
When thus treated, supjer4phos-
Q phate containing Ia to Is per cent
d OF watersoluble phosphoric acid is
IS made. The bulk of the sulphuric acid
u which enters into the manufacture
d of acid phosphate is uade by fertil-
X izer companies. Practically every
n fertilizer establishment (excepting
d the cottonseed meal factories) having
n an annual capacity of $1,000 tons OF
Y more operates tlsO a sulphuric acid