The Glenwood post., 1916-05-27
SCIENCE NOW TAKES
FERTILIzER FROM AIR

The unprecedented demand for nj
trates from the Chilean beds has led
to a renewed activity in the line of
artificial production of these bases, by
the electric fixation in lime of the nj
trogen of the atmosphere. AT present
not pound is thus reduced in this
country. In Europe, before the war.
1.on0,00c water horsepower was utilized
for the extraction of nitrogen from the
atmosphere, representing an aggregate
investment of over $300,000,O00, en-
ploying over $4,000 people, and with
nitrogen products and derivatives of
value of $220,OOO,OO0.
In 1913, the United States used about
2S lbs. of fertilizer per acre, against
200 lbs. per acre in Europe. Had We
used even one-half of this for intensive
farming, it would have required at
least 24000,000 tons of fertilizers,
against the 100000 tons actually used.
1t would have cost the farmers of the
country about $5s0,0O0,0o0 against the
$7,OOO,OO0 which they actually expend-
ed. 1t would have increased the value
of their crops by at least $4,000, 100000.
In other words, an increase in crop val
ue of $500 for expenditure of $O.437
extra in fertilizers. Did it pay? Would
it pay now with the rising price OF fer
tilizers? ~
By 1923, it is conservatively estimat-
ed that the Chilean suruce will be prae-
tically exhausted What then?
Colorado improved farms have prae-
tically doubled their acreage in the last
census decade and at the same time
have trebled their crop values. Assum-
ing that at least 100 lbs. of fertilizer
could be used to advantage, to increase
still further yields, even on the irr1-
gated lands, it would require at least
215,O0O tons of fertilizers. Could Colo
RADIO produce this, from its usual water
powers? 1t requires about one water
horsepower to make two tons OF fer'
tilizer, by the electric fixation OF the
nitrogen of the air. The above demand
for fertilizer would therefore mean
100000 horsepower of hydroelectric Ge-
velopment, costing from $25,0OO,Oo0 t.
$50 ,OOo,O and employing about 5000
people; with an annual output OF tef-
tilizer alone valued above $5,0OO,0O0.
| At present, there is variously esti-
mated about 10000 to 10000 horse
power of the water resources in Colo
RADIO, developed Enthusiastically for
electric light, railways and general
municipal and commercial service. From
the latest and most accurate estimates
of the government, about 72 per cent
of all of the waterpower of the country
lis to be found in the Rocky mountain
and Pacific slope states. That is, about
20 100000 horsepower, minimum, ano
about 4000O,OOO horsepower, maxi
mum. Of this Colorado may be found
| to have from 100000 to 2,ooo,oo9
horsepower. ~saa. =
In any event, it will not lack for
water resources by means of which to
supply hydro-electric plants for the fix
alton of atmospheric nitrogen as long
as winds blow, grass grows and snow
falls. 1t will be fully assured of agri-
culture in perpetuity and when its est
mated farm lands of 100000 acres
become as completely developed as pos-
sible, and fertilized as intensively u.
the farms of Europe, Colorado farmers
will well deserve the caption of Geo.
ncmic Chinese: Farmers of Forty
Centuries. William 8. Aldrich, Colo
lado Agricultural College, Fort Collins.