The log cabin Democrat., 1916-04-03


 American farmers are confronted by a serious situation in reference to fertilizer materials. AS result of the embargo placed by the German government on the exportation of pot ash, the supply of this substance has been entirely cut off. Under normal conditions sulphuric acid, which is re- quired for making r-phosphates, is sold for $5 or s6 a ton. The in- creased demand for it since the break Ing out of the European war has caused the price to rise to about $25 a ton. It is impossible therefore for farmers to secure super-phosphates at prices which they have been accus- toned to pay. The nitrogen supply is not materially less than usual.
 In 1913, when conditions were nor mal. about $125, ,2s0,O0 worth of com mercial fertilizers was used in the United States. Of this amount, the farmers paid $4S ,S30000 for nitrogen ous substances, $56,O00,000 for phos- plates, and $20,450,000 for potash salts. Practically all the potash salts were imported from Germany and the entire quantity of nitrate of soda came from Chile. Ammonium sulphate to the value of $3,720,000 was received from abroad, mainly from England. The remainder of the fertilizer mate rials 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 eight to twelve times their normal value. The investigations of the department and the geological survey have shown the possibility of producing from Ameri- can sources an ample supply of potash salts for domestic consumption. These sources are: The giant kelp of the Pacific coast from lower California to Alaska; the alunite deposits, main ly in the mountains of Utah; the field spathic rocks of the eastern part of the United States, and the mud of Searles lake, in California.
 The production of potash from feld- spar is commercially feasible if salable by-product can be secured at the same time.
 The development of Searles lake as a source of potash presents a num- Der of unsolved technical problems.
 Alunite, a mineral which exists in considerable quantities in Utah and aeighboring states, contains about II per cent of potash. It is decomposed by roasting at temperature of about 700 degrees, with the evolution of exids of sulphur, and residue con- sisting of alumina and potassium sul- phate remains. From this residue the potash salt can be obtained readily by teaching and evaporation. The process is simple. The fumes liberat- ed can be used to manufacture sul- phuric acid. Alumina resulting as a by-product will be suitable for the manufacture of metallic aluminium.
 Giant keIp Beds.
 An ample supply of potash for the needs of farmers can be obtained from the giant kelp beds. These beds nave been surveyed by the bureau of soils and a report, accompanied by maps showing in detail their extent and location, recently has been issued. Harvesting is accomplished easily, as the kelp grows in open water and barges fitted with mcOing attach ments can be used.
 For Utilizing the kelp several meth 0ds are feasible. It may be dried and ground. In this condition it contains all the salts originally present, which are mainly potassium chlorid and so- iium chlorid. This material has ideal mechanical properties for use in mixed fertilizers. When the pure potassium chlorid is desired it is necessary to separate the juice from the organic material and then to remove the so- dium chlorid. The latter can be done readily by recrystallization; but the separation of the juice from the or ganic material is more difficult, for the reason that the kelp is nontibrous and in attempts to effect separation by filtration the filters become clogged and unavoidable. The problems yet to be worked out commercially are the best methods of drying the wet kelp and of effecting the ready and efficient separation of the plant juices from the organic material Investi- gation of these questions has proceed ed far enough to indicate that their solution should not be very difficult.
 Output Will Be Diverted.
 Three large concerns have begun operations for the manufacture of pot ash from kelp. While potash is in- dispensable in the preparation of fer tilizers, it is also used for many other purposes, including the manufacture of matches, glass, liquid soap, and munitions. The prices offered under existing conditions by the manufac- turers of such articles undoubtedly will cause practically the entire out put of these concerns to be diverted