Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-01-14
THE FERTILIZER FAMINE
by FREDERIC }. HAsK1N.

T<HE contents of the humble garbage-can about
a valuable byproduct of city llfe'
Farmers are being urged to burn chlps and oruS'
and clippings the ashes worth saving now
adays. Marine moving machines for harvesting the
floating Pacific kelp may be in demand and all
this because the European has brought America
face to face with famine in fertilizers
With the rest of the world apparently headed FOR
bankruptcy getting rich by raising
bilion-dollar crops This country has half world to
and the strength of the soil is being strained as
before to meet the demand The land is working
overtime. calls for refreshment in the shape OF
fertilizers fertilizers scarce. The question
Importance, only to the farmer, but to
every American without independent income
Through its effect national prosperity it strikes at
his pay-check.
There are three classes of fertilizers which
essential to the productiveness of the soil OF
such still have a good supply; the second
class is still procurabe at greatly advanced prices,
the supply the third class has been cut off en-
trely, and there to be way of replacing It,
This fertilizer is potash. which formerly i'm
ported from Germany at the rate of twenty million dol
lars worth yearly, and which the German govern
ment has placed embargo.
Thrown its own resources in the matter of pot
time when 1t is mperatively needed, the coun
try investigating domestic in the matter.
The great kelp beds of the Pacific coast running all
the way from Lower California to Alaska. seem to
be the promising; but many difficulties will have
be before the industry is commercial
KeJD is the big sea-weed that grows in great
profusion along the Pacific coast thicly in spots
a keep the from rising in high gale.
1t is utilized by drying and grinding The product
contains variety of valuable potash salts in soluble
FORM as well as iodine several other marketable
chemicals. 1t has almost ideal consistency for
mixed fertilizers, and things hoped from
it for time. ----s, ets
Three large concerns have started manufacturing
potash from kelp but they offered such attractive
prices their product for other that of
going fertilizer Munition- need large
quantities of potash and Just present in
position pay for it, 1t also goes make matches,
glass, liquid soap and variety of other commodities,
the manufacturers of which outbidding the fer
tilizer Moreover the production of potash from
kelp is still limited that it would not greatly affect
the situation in any
There is great dry-lake-bed In California that
contains immense deposits potash but the technical
problems involved in getting and Transforming
into the proper form for in fertilizer have still
be solved In the meantime, the ownership of the
lake disputed. before title property is
crops of several will probably
harvested. So the potash of Searles Lake,
the dry bed is called, relieve the situation al
though there is undoubtedly plenty of it in view.
There two minerals found in considerable guam
titles in different parts of the United States which
might save day, they contain certain per-
ycentage of potash but the emergency has arisen
suddenly that the indispensable preliminary work
essary for putting technical process
mercal basis has not yet been done One of these
minerals is felspar found all the eastern states
Feldspar does not carry enough potash to pay
to work for potash alone, but it would grow into a
profitable industry if salabe by-product
put the market Cement, made in the process of
extracting potash, is such by-product. But the
brands of cement already in have been standard
lied fine point that it would be hard to sell
a variety in competition with them. Meantime
farmer wants potash quick.
Alunte is the other mineral with potash possibl-
tiles. 1t occurs in fairly large quantities in the
Rocky mountains Besides potash 1t contains muchs
aluminium, which is turned by-produeEGa nd
helps swell the profits. One company is
featuring potash from aunte, and another is said
be about to begin; but obviously two companies
not do much to supply nation.
The possibilities narrowed by elimination back
to the Pacific kelp-beds and the Department of Agrh
nIao 1f~r Calff
study situation. 1t is admitted that there is little
hope quick results, produce potash
by American farmers would require investment in
plants of between four and five million dollars and
additional capital of two three million dollars
operating expenses after all the minor technical prob