Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-01-08

situation:
American farmers are confronted
by a serious situation in reference
to fertilizer materials. AS a result
OF the embargo placed by the German
government on the expectation of pot
ash, the supply Of this substance has
been entirely cut off. Under normal
conditions sulphuric acid, which is
required for making super-phosphates
is sold for $500 or $500 a ton. The
increased demand for it since the
breaking out OF the European war
has caused the price to rise to about
81 90 a ton. 1t is impossible there
fore for farmers to secure super
phosphates at prices which they have
been accustomed to pay. The nitro
gen supply is not materially less than
usual.
In 1913, when conditions were nor
NAL, about s125, 100000 worth of
commercial fertilizers was used in
the United States. Of this amount,
the farmers paid S4S.S2o 900 for nitro
genous substances, s56,O0O,O0O for
phcsphates, and $20,45O,O e0 for pot
ash salts. Practically all the potash
salts were imported from Germany
and the entire quantity nitrate of
soda came from Chile. Ammonium
sulphate to the value of $3,720,O0O
was received from abroad, mainly
from England. The remainder of the
fertilizer materials was derived from
domestic sources.
The Potash Situation.
There is practically no potash in
this country at the present time for
fertilizer use. The small quantities
which were held over from former
years are now priced at from eigh,
to twelve times their normal value
The Investigations of the Depart
ment and the Geological Survey have
shown the possibility of producing
from American sources and ample
supply of potash salts for domestic
consumption. These sources are:
The giant kelp of the pacific Coasi
from Lower California to Alaska; the
alunite deposits, mainly in the noun
tains of Utah; the feldspathic rocks
of the eastern part of the United
States; and the mud o. Searles Lake
in California
Feldspar and Seares Lake.
The production of potash from field
spar is commercially feasible if {
salable by-product can be secured a
the same time. The suggestion has
been made by the Eereau of Soils
that cemen is possible produc
from the feldspar treated to rendel
the potash soluble. But the difficult
ty of marketing this cement in com
petition with thoroughly STANDARDIZED
products would be a great lettering
factor
The development of Searles Lake
as a source of potash presents mum
Der of unsolyed technical problems
In addition, the questie- of title t.
the property is SO involved that en-
siderable time will elapse before i
can be settled. In the meantime
nothing can be done.
Alunite.
Alunite. a mineral which exist:
in considerable quantities in Utah anC
neighboring states, contains about i
per cent of potash. 1t is decomposet
by roasting at a temperature OF
about 700 degrees, with the evolution
of cxids of sulphur, and residue
consisting of alumina and potassium
sulphate remains. From this resi-
due the potash salt can be obtained
readily by teaching and evaporation
The process is simple The fumeI
liberated can be used to manufactml
sulphuric acid. Alumina resulting al
a by-product will be suitable for tn,
manufacture of metallis aluminium
One large company has begun thu
manufacture of potash from alunit'
and is reported to have made SOM
preliminary shipmnets. II is under
stood that another large concern 4
about to begin the erection of Thu
necessary plant for the production
Of potash from this mineral.
Giant kelp Beds.
An ample supply Of potash for tn
needs of farmers can be obtaine
from the giant kelp beds. These bed
nave been surveyed by the Burea
Of Soils and report accompanie
by maps showing in detail their e.
tent and location. recently has bee
issued harvesting is accomplishe
easily, as the kelp grows in ope
uafqr and f,argea fftad with rnoWiu