The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1916-02-17
FARMERS CONFRONTED WITH SERIOUS
PROBLEM IN FERTILIZER SHORTAGE
Secretary of Agriculture Makes Statement Regarding the Supply
of Potash Phosphate and Ntrogen-mportaton of Potash
Is Cut Off as Result of European MISREPRESENTATION
of Fertilizer Material Is Recommended

riculture makes the following state
ment regarding the fertilizer situa-
ton:
American farmers are confronted
by serious situation in reference to
fertilizer materials. AS a result OF
the embargo place | by the German
government on the expectation of pot
ash, the supply of this substance has
been entirely cut off, Under normal
conditions sulphuric acid. which is re-
Quired for making super-phosphates,
Is sold for So or Sc 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 $50
a ton. 1t 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
NAL, about $125 ,28O,00 worth of COM
mercial fertilizers was used in the
United States. OF this amount, the
farmers paid S4S,S3O,OOO for nitrogen
Gus substances, $56,O00,000 for pnos-
pilates, and S20,450,000 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
rails 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 field
spar is commercially feasible if a
salable by-product can be secured at
the same time.
The development of Searles lake
as source of potash presents num-
Der of unsolved technical problems.
Alunite, a mineral which exists in
considerable quantities in Utah and
neighboring states, contains about IL
per cent of potash. 1t is decomposed
by roasting at temperature OF about
700 degrees, with the evolution Of
exids of sulphur, and a residue con-
sisting of alumina and potassium sui
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 sui
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
have been surveyed by the bureau OF
soils and 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 moving attach
ments 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
are mainly potassium Chord and So
dunn chlorid 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 So
dunn Chord. The latter can be done
readily by disqualification; but the
separation OF the juice from the or
ganic material Is more difficult, for
the reason that the kelp is nonhbrou3
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-
CATION of these questions has proceed
ed far enough to indicate that their
solution should not be very difficult.
Output viii 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, 1t 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
from the fertilizer industry. 1t seems
unlikely that normal conditions will
be restored in the immediate future
and that potash can be secured from
foreign sources as heretofore in time
for the next crop planting season. II
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