Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-01-03
Total re-
tail value.
s125.250,00O


also used for many other purposes, in
Guiding the manufacture of matches,
glass, liquid soap and munitions. The
prices offered under existing conditions
by the manufacturers of such articles
undoubtedly will cause practically the
entire output OF these concerns 10 be
diverted from the fertilizer industry. 1t
seems unlikely that normal conditions
Will bc restored in the immediate future
and that potash can be secured from for
eign sources Us heretofore III time for
the next crop planting season. II also
seems improbable that private enterprise
VIII proVlde potash from domestic
sources for agricultural purposes in time
1t would require ~ or more plants cost
ing approximately $4,000 and having an
operating capital of about $25,0W each,
tn produce the quantity needed for agri-
culture. This would involve the assump-
uon that the commercial phases of the
problem Were satisfactorily solved. Even
if the requisite funds were available it is
gin III time to provide an adequate supply
for the coming year The department is
Investigating all aspects of the question
fornia to study the situation and espec-
tally to consider possibilities of produc-
ton on d commercial scale.
one fact has operated in a measure to
embarrass private enterprise in this field
There is no legislation in any of the Pa
ellie Coast States, along whose shores
tn, lseIp lies providing for the leasing of
the kelp beds. Without leases private
investors would have no assurance that
plants erected by them would have the
necessary control over the kelp within
their vicinity. The Department officers
will discuss this matter with the proper
authorities III the Pacific Coast States
and will urge the necessity of legislation
regulating the use of the beds.
The Phosphate Situation.
Acid phosphate is the basis of nearly
all commercial mixed fertilizers. 1t is
made by the action of sulphuric acid up-
on phosphate rock. Our available sources
Of phosphate rock are greater than those
OF any other nation. The main supply
for domestic consumption and for ex-
portation comes from Tennessee South
Carolina and Florida. The United States
Government, however owns vast deposits
of phosphate rock in Utah, Wyoming,
Montana, and neighboring States These
deposits have been withdrawn from pri-
waite use pending legislation for their
utilization and 10 supply has yet been
developed from this source.
In 1914, 2,134,00o tons of phosphate rock
were produced in this country. Up to
that year about one-half the quantity
mined was exported to Europe. The rock
in its natural state is not readily alb
sorbed as plant food. 1t is made
available Tor this purpose by treatment
with sufphuric acid. about one ton of the
aclu Delhg used to a ton of phoSph ate
rock. When thus treated, a super-pros-
phate containing ii to is per cent. of
water-soiuble phosphoric acid is made
The bulk of the sulphuric acid which
enters into the manufacture of acid
phosphate is made by fertilizer compan-
les, Practically every fertilizer estah-
ishlnent excepting the cottonseed maa,
factories) having an annual canacitv os
1900 tons or more operates also a sui.
phuric acid plant. The demand for ~.
acid is SO strong at present that eve.,
effort is being made to utilize old ana
new plants The latter operation is Slew
ana costly on account of the large
amount of lead necessary for the con.
struction Of acid chambers. Difficultv
also is being experienced in securing an
adequate supply Of pyrtes, which is the
principal source of sulphur.
Inc potential sources of sulphuric acid
IN me United States are ample to pro-
o"ce more than double the present an
nual output, Few Of the lead. zinc, or
copper smelling companies using snl.
phide ores have sulphuric acid plants IN
connection with their smelters. Th.
iumes discharged into the atmosphere nv
these smelters are sufficient to nroa,,c.
many thousands Of tons of su,phuric
acid oaiiy. Under normal conditions, the
limited market for the acid and the lone
haul necessary to reach the market bavs
maze commercially impracticable to