The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-01-03
European War Has Com
pletely Stopped Potash
Imports From Germany.
NEED OF FARMERS
CANNOT BE SUPPLIED
Only heterogeneous Fertilizers
Will Be Available in
Any Quantity.
"a AssoCIATEp Press.

Washington, Jan. "A gloomy
view of prospects for fertilizing next
years crops is presented in a state
ment issued today by Secretary
Houston of the Department Of Agri-
culture.
Relief measures undertaken by the
Department since the European war
disrupted the American phosphate in
dustry and cut off imports from Ger
many will help, the statement says,
but they offer slim possibilities that
the American farmer will get a small
part of the fertilizing materials nee
ssary for his needs. heterogeneous fer
tilizers alone will be available in the
quantities needed.
The secretary takes up first the
potash supply, long since exhausted
in the United States by the German
embargo on shipments. Investiga-
ton, says his statement, has shown
four sources of supply in this coun-
try, but none immediately available.
These are the kelp of the Pacific
coast, alanite deposits In Utah, fields
pathic rocks in the east, and the mud
of Searles Lake, California.
Manufacture from feIdspar has
been found to be feasible, but the cost
is high. Development Of Searles
Lake deposits presents technical diff
ficulties and title to the property is
involved. Manufacturers are expert
menting now, the statement says,
with alunite. Kelp is offered as the
best material. Three large concerns
have begun manufacture from kelp
and government experts win be sent
to the Pacific coast to aid in the ex-
perimental work.
Production will be slow for a long
time, the secretary points out, and
demand for potash in other indus
tries is so great that none manufac-
tured in the United States will be
available soon for agricultural pur-
poses. His statement says:
''The prices offered under existing
conditions by the manufacturers Of
articles will cause practically the en-
tire output of these concerns to be
diverted from the fertilizer industry.
It would require ninety or more plants
costing approximately $4,000 and
having an operating capital of $25, 900
each to produce the quantity needed
for agriculture. This would involve
the assumption that commercial
phases of the problem were satisfac-
torily solved. The department is con-
sidering all phases Of the situation"
The crippled state Of the phosphate
industry is attributed TO the high
price of sulphuric acid, much of
which is being used now in the man
ufacture Of war munitions. The price
has jumped from 81 to $25 ton.
Demand for the acid is so heavy that
abandoned plants are being refitted
for its manufacture. The Bureau Of
Soils meanwhile is experimenting
with the manufacture of phosphoric
acid as a substitute for sulphuric.
Nitrate prices have advanced since
the war began, but there is an album
dant supply Of heterogeneous fertilizing
material, and the department is en-
deavoring TO find methods to cheaper
the cost of manufacture The secre-
tarv concludes with a warning to
farmers to conserve all fertilizing
materials on the farm. He urges
crop rotation, proper use of fertilizers
and also use of lime to increase pro-
ductivity of the soil.