davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1916-01-07
face SHORTAGE
OF FERTILIZER
GERMAN EMBARGO SERIOUSLY
AFFECTS AMERICAN SUP.
PLY OF POTASH.
OF INTEREST LOCALLY
Price Of Nitric Acid Also High And
Secretary Houston Offers Plan
To Meet Situation.

Washington. Jan. American
farmers are confronted by a serious
outlook in reference to fertilizer ma
terials. Secretary of Agriculture
Houston said today in a statement
on the fertilizer situation, in which
he summarized conditions existing
in this country on account of the
war.
AS a result of the embargo placed
by the German government on the
expectation of potash, the supply of
this substance has been entirely cut
of. Under normal conditions sui
phuric acid, which is required for
making super-phosphates, is sold for
IS or So a ton. The increased de-
mand for 1t since the breaking out
of the European war has caused the
price to rise to about $25 a ton. 1t
is impossible therefore, for farmers
to secure super-phosphates at prices
which they have been accustomed to
pay. The nitrogen supply is not ma
terially less than usual.
Huge Sum Spent.
In 1918 when conditions were
normal about s125.2SO.O worth Of
commercial fertilizer was used in
the United States. or this amount
the farmers paid $4s,S3O,0o0 for nj
srogenous substances. $56,o00.000
for phosphates 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
s3,72O, 900 was received from abroad
mainly from England. The remain
der of the fertilizer materials was
derived from domestic sources.
There is practically no potash In
this country at the present time
for fertilizer use. The small guam
titles which were held over from for
mer years are now priced at from
eight to twelve times their normal
value. The Investigations of the De-
partment of Agriculture and the Geo
logical Survey have shown the posi-
bility of producing from American
sources an ample supply OF potash
salts for domestic consumption.
These sources are: The giant kelp
OF the Pacific coast from Lower CAL
ifornia to Alaska; the alunite de-
posita. mainly In the mountains OF
1Ifsn: ne feldspathic rocks of the
lastorn pSH OF the United States,
The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1916-01-07

A sluggish liver can cause per
SON an awful lot of misery. Spells
OF dizziness, headaches, constipation
and biliousness are sure signs that
your liver needs help. Take DR.
Kings New Life Pills and see how
they help tone up the whole system
Fine for the stomach too. Aids d.
gestion. Purifies the blood and
clears the complexion. Only 25c at
your Druggist. .
The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1916-01-07
The Gist of 1t.

Last December had a very Sc
we're cold and was nearly down sick
in bed. I bought two bottles of
Chamberlain's Cough Remedy and 1t
was only very few days until I was
completely restored to health, -
writes o. ]. Metcalf, Weatherby, Mo.
II you would know the value of
this remedy. ask anyone who has
used 1t. Obtainable everywhere. m
The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1916-01-07
The Earth's Age.

Scientists differ greatly as to the
earth's age, estimates varying from
10000, 900 to 15O,000,000 years. One
of the first estimates was that John
Phillips, who in 1850 based on a
study of stratified rock his assertion
that the figure lay somewhere "be-
tween 3S,000,00Os and 96,000.000
years."
The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1916-01-07
Soaked Clover Grows.

Duggar and Tisdale Of Alabama
soaked bur-clover seed in water al
ordinary temperature for four hours,
and then scalded Il for one minute
In boiling water. BY this means
they caused 76 pr cent of the seed
to sprout as against only s per cent
without treatment. The same meth
cd might well be experimental with
other hard-coated legume seed. A
Hughes scarifier. however. might do
the trick more thoroughly and cheap
ly.
The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1916-01-07

the manufacture of acid phosphate is
made by fertilizer companies estab-
lishment excepting the cottonseed
meal factories) having an annual ca
pacity Of $1,000 tons or more oper-
ates also a sulphuric acid plant. The
demand for the acid is so strong at
present that every effort is being
made to utilize old and abandoned
establishments and to erect new
plants.
In view of the difficulties in the
way of the production and utiliza-
ton of sulphuric acid for fertilizer
purposes, the Bureau of Soils mas
endeavored to develop a commercial
method involving the use of the cleo
trio furnace for manufacturing phos-
phoric acid, which can be used as
substitute. Through this method
double uper-phosphate. which will
contain 40 to SO per cent Of water
soluble phosphoric acid. or the still
more concentrated form of ammon-
| ium phosphate, could be secured
But the use of the electric furnace
| for the purpose is commercially feas-
ible only where phosphate rock, coal
and cheap water power are readily
available. The department is inves-
tigating this matter to ascertain
whether there are localities where
these conditions exist and where,
therefore. double super-phosphate
may be made.
The nitrogen situation is of less
pressing concern, according to Sec
rotary Houston. Cottonseed forms
the bulk of the heterogeneous substan-
ces entering into commercial fertiliz-
ers. The amount available for fer
tilizer use is dependent upon the an
nual production of cotton and the
demand for the meal for feeding
stuffs. The supply Of dried blood
and tankage. also sources of nitro
genous material, is dependent upon
the number of animals slaughtered.
Only few large packing concerns
conserve these products. which are
now used to q considerable extent as
cattle feed as well as for fertilizer
purposes. Investigations Of the Blu
reau of Soils have shown that there
is large amount of waste from the
fisheries and fish canneries. especial
ly ON the Pacific Coast and in Alas
ka. This material could and should
be made into fish scrap, which would
have value OF about $1.200.o00 for
fertilizer purposes.
Cost Of Nitric Acid Up.
Owing to the demand for nitric
acid for munition purposes the price
of nitrate of soda advanced approx
imately $1.10 per hundred pounds
during the year period to November.
1915. Only very small percentage
of the nitrates imported from the
Chilean beds goes into fertilizers. be-
ing mainly Incorporated in special
brands for greenhouse and trucking
purposes. This item alone. there
fore, will not cause much embarrass-
ment to American farmers.
One Of the most important
sources Of nitrogen for commercial
fertilizer purposes is ammonium sui
plate, This is produced as a by
product in the destructive distilla-
tion Of coal for the preparation OF
The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1916-01-07

and the mud Of Searles Lake in CAL
ifornia. ~sf
An ample supply of poash for the
needs of farmers can be obtained
from the giant kelp beds. These
beds have been surveyed by the bu-
reau of Soils and report, accom-
panied by maps showing in detail
their extent and location, recently
has been issued. Harvesting is ac-
camplished easily. as the kelp grows
in open water and barges fitted with
moving attachments can be used.
Manufacturing Potash.
Three large concerns have begun
operations for the manufacture Of
potash from kelp. While potash is
indispensable In the preparation Of
fertilizers, It is also used for many
other purposes, including the manu-
facture Of matches. glass. liquid soap
and munitions. The prices offered
under existing conditions By the
manufacturers Of such articles un-
doubtedly will cause practically the
entire output of these concerns to
be diverted from the fertilizer in
dustry. 1t seems unlikely that nor
NAL conditions will be restored in
the immediate future and that pot
ash can be secured from foreign
sources as heretofore in time for the
next crop planting season. 1t also
seems improbable that private en-
terprise will provide potash from
domestic sources for agricultural pur-
poses in time. II would require
ninety or more plants, costing ap-
proximately $4,000, and having an
operating capital of about $4,000
each, to produce the quantity needed
for agriculture. This would involve
the assumption that the commercial
phasese of the problem were salts
factorily solved. Even II the re-
quisite funds were available, It is
a question whether operations could
begin in time to provide an adequate
supply for the coming year.
Acid phosphate is the basis Of
nearly all commercial mixed fertiliz-
ers. 1t is made by the action of sui
phuric acid upon 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 private
use pending legislation for their util-
ization and no supply has yet been
from this source.
Heavy Demand For Acid.
In 1914. 2.734,O00 tons of phos-
plate rock were produced in this
country. Up to that year about one
half the quantity mined was export
ed to Europe. The rock in its natural
state is not readily absorbed as a
plant food. II is made available
for this purpose by treatment with
sulphuric acid. When thus treated,
a super-phosphate containing IA TO
IS per cent OF water-soluble phos-
phoric acid is made. The BULK Of
the sulphuric acid which enters Into
The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1916-01-07

II have used Chamberlain's Tab
let's and must say they are the best
I have ever used for constipation
and indigestion. My wife also used
them for indigestion and they did
her good" writes Eugene s. Knight,
Wilmington. N. G. Obtainable every
where.
Evening star., 1916-12-26
New York and the British Trade.

If Premier Georges plan works, New
York will cease to be the western ter
.ninal of the British steamship lines.
The declared object of this change is
TO provide Il shorter route for vessels
between American and British shores TO
minimize the dangers from submarines,
and to secure greater freedom of arma-
ment for protection. than the Ameri-
can neutrality laws permit. If this
is all New York may recover this
trade after the war, when conditions
have returned to normal. But the fear
is expressed lest the change may be-
come permanent and may be the result
OF a determination 70 keep the British
steamer traffic exclusively under British
jurisdiction in connection perhaps with
schemes for the development of the
southern trade under British auspices
II this is true New York will suffer an
irreparable injury.
Even a temporary transfer of the
British shipping will cause New York
heavy losses. This is plain from the
suspension of the German transatlantic
service upon the outbreak of the war,
which caused serious check in the
harbor activities This loss was perhaps
more than compensated by the extraor-
dinary rush of transportation few
months later when munitions orders be
gan to be filled, yet the suspension of
the German lines was severely felt and
transfer Of the British lines to Hall
fax would leave New York in sadly de-
pleted state as port.
Instinctively the suggestion Of shift
Aspa New York - Halifax 10 considered
Evening star., 1916-12-26
Garry Christmas Onward!

Christmas is over and the world
swings back into its ordinary routine,
to be interrupted briefly next Monday
by the New Year festivities. The gifts
have all been exchanged and the good
wishes passed. Things are moving on
with new impulse and good cheer and
gratitude for blessings received and the
stimulation of faith. There are some
sorrows and some disappointments, but
they are trifing in the main. Some
there are who are actually in need, lack
ing the bare requirements Of life, and
for these the hand of charity is being
extended bountifully. Not all are fully
reached, for there will always remain
some fraction of humanity lacking in
the necessities of existence
One of the duties remaining after
Christmas is the completion of the fund
for the fourteen opportunities" afford
ed by the Associated Charities to give
assurance of food and shelter, clothing
and fuel to seventyfve persons during
the coming year. Some of these oppor
tunities are yet open, though a generous
fund was subscribed before Christmas
day. That this fund will be completed
| quickly cannot be doubted, ~ Washing
Evening star., 1916-12-26
American Womanhood Houored.

An extraordinary tribute was paid
yesterday in the Capitol building to an
American woman, whose recent death
caused profound grief through wide
circle. Mrs. Inez MSlholland Boissevain
was one Of the most vigorous workers
in the cause Of the enfranchisement Of
women in this country. For q decade
she had been endeavoring ceaselessly
and sacrifcingly to advance the cause.
She literally gave her life to It, per-
sisting even in illness in a speaking
tour through the west, which closed only
when her strength failed and death
claimed her. Her youth, her beauty. her
magnetism, her unfaltering faith made
her one of the most powerful factors in
the suffrage fight. Yesterday she was
honored by an assemblage seldom equal
ed in Washington in place rarely given
for the pronouncing Of eulogies and
filled with historic associations. This
ceremonial marks a material advance in
the cause Of women. Mrs. Boissevain's
death, though it has cost valuable
leader, may prove to be an important
contribution to the cause Of suffrage.
Apart, however, from that, it is we'll to
note that the American people on Christ
mas day paused to pay tribute In one
of the highest places to one who stood
as In the best sense a noble type Of
womanhood.
Evening star., 1916-12-26

with reference to the long cherished
plan Of some Britons to maintain the
transit between England and the orient
exclusively over British sea and land
lines. The transfer to the northern port
would give direct connections with the
Canadian Pacific and other Dominion
transcontinental lines, with a shorter
run between the Pacific coast and Japan
than from San Francisco. In fact, the
distance between Liverpool and Yoko-
hama is considerably shorter by the all
British route than by way Of New York
and the American transcontinenta1 sys-
TEN.
A permanent shift from New York
to Halifax could not fail to affect the
use of the Panama canal, notwithstand
ing the higher cost Of transport across
the continent. This, however, cannot be
reckoned exactly, as in the last adjust
ments trade will seek the best routes,
and that means not merely the shortest,
or the most polite, but the cheapest. An
line from England to the
orient would, in competition with the
canal, be at a disadvantage. Would
Great Britain seek to equalize the diff
ference by means of subsidies?
New York has enough to worry about
in the Immediately prospective transfer
to Halifax of the British lines without
questions Of future trade
routes. The loss of this shipping is GER
tain to be heavy, and yet nothing can
be done to prevent it, inasmuch as the
reason given is one Of safety, and the
United States cannot guarantee security
at sea.
Evening star., 1916-12-26
The President and the Deficit.

The President, it is stated, is giving
of addressing Congress on the subject.
He has other matters of importance in
hand, but nothing more important than
that. It is the subject of discussion
throughout the country, and has become
q puzzle to the statesmen on Capitol
Hill The more prominent of them are
that he has no plan for relieving the
situation. Neither Mr.. Simmons nor
Mr.. Underwood has volunteered a sug
gestion. Only Mr.. Garner of the ways
and means committee seems to have
tackled the proposition in dead earnest;
and his scheme for relief is reasonably
certain not to be adopted.
1t is up to the President, then, to
start the ball rolling with a recomnen
dation. This is not a new experience
for him. Congress has "soldiered" on
him before. Indeed, such has almost be-
come habit with that body. When
in doubt play trumps; and whenever
Congress is in doubt-or despair-its
trump card is an appeal to the White
House. Help US, Mr.. President, or we
sink.
The President usually helps. Maybe
his strong hold on his party is socketed
in his willingness either to accept re-
sponsibility when offered, or reach for it
of his own accord He takes chances
chances that sometimes, simply in the
observation, produce goosefesh on men
of cautious spirit. If he takes this
chance; if he works out and submits
plan for finding the additional money
now needed by the government, he will
have performed one Of his most notable
acts of that kind.
While the deficit is not a surprise, it
is an embarrassment. It exists, and
must be attended to. As a matter of
fact, it should have been attended to at
the long session, although the congress
sional card then was crowded. Nothing
is easier to say than that Congress
should cut according to the cloth. But,
as fine words butter no parsnips, old
platitudes remedy no evils. Big appro-
priations have been necessary, and In
making them Congress has gone beyond
the governments income.
The income should be promptly In
creased. The means are not now clear
to anybody. But this much should be
clear to everybody: We are legislating
in and for new times, with some old
economic theories scrapped, and others
in q rickety state. 1t is condition,
not theory, that confronts US. At
time when money is abundant beyond
precedent, and expenses cannot be
greatly reduced without injury to the
public welfare, we need, and should
have, a workable scheme of taxation,
free from both sectional and class char
aeteristies, and grounded in a square
deal for all.
Evening star., 1916-12-26
Holiday Happiness.

Oh, you've got your chance when the
Christmas cheer
Is bright in the earth and sky;
When the lights are burning SO crisp and
clear
Rejecting the stars on high;
When every one thinks of some other
one,
And hearts feel common call.
If YOU can't be happy just now, my son,
Well, you can't be happy at all.
The holly hints of the summer tree,
And the berry Of flower and fruit.
And we know that the north wind fierce
and free
Will be conquered by times pursuit
In comradeship we must seek the Joy
Which old winter would fain make
small.
If YOU can't be happy in that, my boy,
Well, you won't be happy at all
Evening star., 1916-12-26
ton has never yet failed to grasp al Of

ton has never yet failed TO grasp all Of
the opportunities annually offered.
Now that Christmas Is over let there
be NO lessening of the spirit Of good
cheer that marked the days preceding
and the day itself. Every day should
be Christmas day in the sense Of low
ing kindness to others and Of considera-
ton and generosity Of thought, II not
Of action. Every day should be marked
by some good deed, some helpful
thought, some extension into the daily
life Of the Christmas spirit, the spirit
Of peace and good will.
Evening star., 1916-12-26
Chairman Wilcox.

The note of criticism of Chairman Will
cox of the republican national commit
tee, first heard few days after the de-
feat Of Mr.. Hughes, continues in GER
tain quarters. A suggestion is made that
he be retired in favor Of better known
and more influential politician, and that
the committee itself 60 into sort of re-
tirement. Is there anything Of value
to the republican party in such agita-
tion7
Mr.. Wilcox was unknown to the coun-
try at large when selected for his post
But the selection was by precedent, and
entirely regular. The candidate for
President always names his campaign
manager Mr.. Hughes and Mr.. Wilcox
were old and intimate friends, and the
former felt that his interests would be
safe In the hands Of the latter.
And were they mott Mr.. Wilcox, be-
ing an eastern man, naturally gave spe-
cial attention to the section Of the coun-
try he knew best; and there he won.
New York, New Jersey and Connecticut
had been staked off by both sides as
battle ground, and the republicans won
the battle pitched there. They carried
New York and New Jersey-the latter
Mr.. Wilson's own state--overwhelm-
ingly.
The general result, it 80 happened,
was decided in the west, in states nor
mally republican, and with every rea-
son, it was thought, to be republican this
year. But, to the amazement of all, win
ners as we'll as losers, they shifted foot
and turned up in the Wilson column.
The result in Kansas, California and
Washington, where the republicans
swept everything locally, but gave the
electoral votes to the democrats, re-
fected far less on Mr.. Wilcox than on
those on the ground, and, to greater
degree than he, responsible for condi-
TONS
Between now and 1920 the republican
national committee and its chairman will
have no great part to play. The con-
gressional campaign of 1918 will be con-
dueted by committee appointed for
the purpose. And, of course, the state
campaigns meanwhile will be in charge Of
state leaders with special knowledge of
''the lay Of the land" Why, therefore,
at this time raise howdy-do about a
matter which can well waltz
Evening star., 1916-12-26

The request to belligerent nations
made by President Wilson should result
In information which will give some of
the men in the field clearer ideas of
what they are fighting to attain.
Evening star., 1916-12-26
SHOOTING STARS.
By PHILANDER JOHNSON.
subordinated Importance.

1T don't think Bliggins really enjoyed
his Christmas"
"Why mott"
"He's one of those people who enjoy
the imelight. It must have annoyed him
TO have so many people talking about
Santa Claus instead Of him"
Evening star., 1916-12-26
Practically Considered,

Don't you wish you were a boy
again."
sometimes" replied Mr.. Growcher.
''In falling on an icy pavement boy
has a great advantage over man, both
in weight and distance"
Evening star., 1916-12-26
To Live in Peace!
f,,.v.l,pd P1ain Dealer

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Keeping us out of war has been a
highly meritorious achievement. And
the best way for the authorities to
keep on keeping us out Of war is to
establish a national defense worthy of
the name, From present Indications,
that means universal military service.
Evening star., 1916-12-26

Some of the former advocates Of the
Adamson law are now inclined to look
with most favor on the part of it that
provides for experimental observation
before it goes into permanent effect.
Evening star., 1916-12-26

China would no doubt be glad If
Japan would devote all her attention 10
naval equipment and forget about or.
ganizing land forces.
Evening star., 1916-12-26

Some of the light fingered gentry who
follow the crowds have arrived so early
that the police no doubt will be able to
get rid of them before the Inauguration
presents its temptations.
Evening star., 1916-12-26

There is some disinclination TO con-
slider restoring former conditions in a
way that would again leave Europe
where she was for so many years, con
the verge Of war.
Evening star., 1916-12-26

As the war has offered no advan-
tages and cannot surpass even the hor-
rors it has created, there is general
feeling that it might as well 60 out Of
business.
Evening star., 1916-12-26
Peace and Finance.

"You haven't said anything about
peace on earth in your recent addresses"
"No. Many members of my audiences
are in the stock market and I didn't
want to worry them"
Evening star., 1916-12-26
Generous Enjoyment.

Generous ENJOY ment.
'Did your husband smoke the cigars
you gave hims"
"No. But he enjoyed them just the
same when he saw how happy the lovely
premium that came with them made
me.s
Evening star., 1916-12-26

Japan reports prosperity, but does not
indicate how much Of It is liable to be
influenced by fluctuations in the muni-
tions market.
Evening star., 1916-12-26

The vote for Speaker in the House Of
Representatives will, Of course, be de-
cisive, but It win be no landslide.
Evening star., 1916-12-26

In public influence those old Kriss
krirgle reindeer have more present con
sider1tion and brighter prospects than
the bull m loose.
Evening star., 1916-12-26
After the War.
,e Chicago Tribune

From tine Chicago Tribune
American opinion which thinks that
Europe after this war will be prostrate
is foolishly guided. Europe win be more
acouisitive after the war than 10 10 now.
It viii begin looking for compensations
for losses.