The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1916-01-07


is caught and neutralized with sui
phuric acid. Formerly all coke was
made In the beehive oven which did
not provide for the confinement of
the combustible gases produced.
These we're burned as evolved and
the ammonia carried by them was
likewise lost. The domestic prod
uction of ammonium sulphate from
the coke oven is only one-fifth of
what 1t could be we're the beehive
oven entirely displaced by more mod
ern types. During the past few years
there has been a slow transition
from the use of the beehive oven. 1t
is not imperative, therefore to re-
sort to extreme measures to increase
the production of ammonia.
| Another source of nitrogen is
found in garbage. The investigation
of the Bureau of Soils indicate that
IL the garbage of all cities having
population of 10000 and over were
converted into garbage tankage the
product would be worth for fertiliz-
er purposes at least $3,500,0OO. In
view of the present situation immed-
late steps should be taken by all
municipalities to conserve the garb-
age and to make II available for use
in the fertilizer trade.
Cheap Water Power Sought.
The Bureau of Soils is studying
also the problem of the fixation of
atmospheric nitrogen with a view to
developing a method for the prod
uction of ammonium phosphate and
other forms of concentrated ferti-
lizers. No ammonium phosphate is
being made in this country at the
present time. If cheap water power,
phosphate rock, coal and limestone
can be found in accessible localities
the possibility of making this mater
ial on a commercial scale is consid-
cred entirely feasible. The greatest
difficulty here is to discover cheap
water power at points where phos-
plate rock, coal and limestone are
readily available. The department
is making every effort to locate
available sources of developed wat
er power which can be used in the
manufacture of ammonia phosphate
It must not be understood that
the suggestions which are now be-
ing put forth, will result in immed-
late relief for farmers. There are a
number of technical problems which
have to be solved If these fertilizers
are to be produced on commercial
scale, and, even if the funds for the
necessary plants were provided,
either from private or public sources
considerable time necessarily would
be required for the erection of the
plants and for their full operation.
'In the unusual conditions exist
ing in the fertilizer trade" said Mr..
Houston. ut is important that all
fertilizing materials on the farm, es-
pecially those containing potash,
should be utilized and developed to
the fullest extent. A great deal can
be accomplished in this direction by
deep blowing. constant cultivation
and thorough tillage. There should
be a proper system Of rotation. Es-
pecially where one crop has been
grown for several years different
one should be planted this year.
Green manures and cover crops
should be used as much as possible
in their proper rotation.
Wood Ashes Valuable.
"Of the organic substances, ma
nure, both solid and liquid, is the
most important and should be util-
lied wherever possible. All material
of an organic nature, such as leaves
and bedding of various sorts, should
be composted and the compost APP
piled to the soil. Special attention
should be given also to the conserva-
ton OF wood ashes. Depending on
the character of the wood, they con-
tain potash in quantities carrying or
dinarily from 3 to 10 per cent. All
tree trimmings. brush cuttings, etc.,
should be burned and the ashes de-
rived therefrom utilized.
1.-THE application of lime to many
soils is of undoubted benefit. Though
the availability of the fertilizing ele-
ments in the soil may not be great
ly increased by its use, the resulting
Improvement in physical and bacter-
ial conditions may increase consider
ably the productiveness OF the SOIL"