The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-01-09
The Potash Situation.

Total ............ .$l25,2SU,UOO
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
American sources an ample supply OF
potash salts for domestic conspmp-
ton. These sources are: The giant
kelp of the Pacific coast from lower
California to Alaska; the llunite de-
posits, mainly in the mountains Of
Utah; the feldspathic rocks Of the
eastern part Ut the United States, and
the mud of Searles lake. in California.
Feldspdr and Searles Lake.
The production of potash from field
spar is commercially feasible il sal
able by product can be secured at the
same time. The suggestion has been
made by the bureau of soils that ce-
ment is a possible product from the
feldspar treated to render the potash
soluble. But the difficulty of market
ing this cement in competition with
thoroughly standardized products
would be great deterring factor.
The development of Searles lake
as source Of potash presents a num-
her of unsolved technical problems.
In addition, the question Of title to
the property is so involved that con-
siderable time will elapse before it
can be settled. In the meantime moth
ing can be done.
Alunite.
Alunite, mineral which exists in
considerable quantities in Utah and
neighboring states. contains about
eleven per cent of potash. 1t is de-
composed by roasting at a tempera
.ture OF about 700 degrees, with the
evolution of exids of sulphur, and a
residue consisting of alumina and po-
tassium sulphate remains. From this
residue the potash salt can be OBJ
tained readily by bleaching and evap-
Grafton. The process is simple. The
fumes liberated can be used to manu-
iacture sulphuric acid. Alumina re-
sulting as by prc1lct will be suit
able for the manufacture of metallic
aluminium. One large company has
begun the manufacture OF potash from
alunite and is reported to have made
some preliminary shipments. 1t is I'M
derstood that another large concern
Is about to begin the erection Of the
necessary plant for the production OF
potash from this mineral.
Giant Kelp Beds.
An ample supply Of potash for the
needs Of farmers can be obtained
from the giant kelp beds. These beds
have been surveyed by the bureau OF
soils and report, accompanied by
,naps showing de detail their extent
and location, recently has been is
sued. Harvesting is accomplished
easily, as the kelp grows in open
water and barges fitted with moving
attachments can be used.
For utilizing the kelp several meth
DDS are feasible. 1t may be dried and
ground. In this condition it contains
all the salts originally present, which
Ore mainly potassium Chord and sod
ium coihlrd. This material has ideal
mechanical properties for use in mixed
fertilizers. When the pure potassium
CHORD is desired it is necessary to
separate the juice from the organic
material and then TO remove the'sod-
ium Chord. The latter can be done
readily by re-crystallzation; but the
separation Of the juice from the or
ganic material is more difficult, for
I the reason that the kelp Is non-hbrous
and in attempts to effect separation
by filtration the filters become clogged
and unavoidable. The problems yet