The De Soto County news. [volume] (Arcadia, Fla.) 1898-1924, 1916-01-13

THE DE SOTO COUNTY NEWb. i
TO manufacture sulphuric acid. Alum
ina resulting as by-product will be
suitable for the manufacture Of me-
talllc aluminium. One large company
las begun the manufacture Of potash
from alunite and is reported to have
made some preliminary shipments. 1t
!, understood that another large con-
Germ is about to begin the erection
Of the necessary plant for the produc-
tlon Of potash from this mineral,
Giant Kclp Beds: An ample sup
ply Of potash for the needs Of farm
ors can be obtained from the giant
kclp beds. These beds have been sur
vcyed 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, MS the kelp
grows IN open water, and barges fit
ted with moving attachments can be
used.
For utilizing the Eelp several meth
ods are feasible. It may be dried and
ground. In this condition It contains
all the salts originally presc t, which
are mainly potassium chlorid and So
dunn Chord This material has ideal
rocharical properties for use in mix
cd fertilizers. When the pure potas-
stun Chord is desired, It is necessary
60 separate the Juice from the organ
f. material and then TO remove the
sodium Chord. Tho latter can be
done readily by .rccrvstallizaton; but
tho separation Of the juice from the
organic material is more difficult. for
The reason that the kclp is nom
nhrous and I'm attempts t. effect sep
oratlon 10y filtration, the filters he
come cloggo1 and unavoidable. The
problems yet to be worked out COM
worcially are the hest mcthc4s Of
drying the wet kclp ana If cnectinc
the ready ana efficient separation Of
the plant juices from the organic MAJ
tCrial. Investigation Of these qucs-
tions has proceeded far enough to tn
dictate that their solution should not
be- very difficult.
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.
Pnd munitions. The prices offered
under existing conditions by the man
ufacturers Of such articles undoubt-
edly will cause practically the entire
output Of these concerns to he divert
ed from the fertilizer industry. It
seems unlikely that normal condi-
lions will be restored in the immedi
ate future, and that potash can he
secured from foreign sources as here
tofore in time for the next crop
planting season. 1t also seems i'm
probable that private enterprise will
provide potash from domestic sources
FOR agricultural purposes in time. It
would require 90 or more plants. cost
ing approximately $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
phases Of the problem were satisfac-
torily solved. Even If the requisite
funds were available, It is a question
whether operations could begin in
time to provide an adequate supply
for the coming year. The department
Is investigating all aspects OF the
and is planning to send eX-
perts to California to study the sit
uation and especially to consider pos
sibillties Of production on a CONNER
cial scale.
One fact has operated in measure
10 embarrass private enterprise in
this field. There is no legislation in
my of the Pacific coast states, along
whose shores the kelp lies. providing
Tor the leasing of the kelp beds.
without leases private investors
would have no assurance that plants
ERECTED by them woall have the nee.
'ssary control over the kelp within
heir vicinity. The departments OF.
iccrs will discuss this matter with
he proper authorities in the Pacific
oats states, and will urge the neces.
MY OF legislation regulating the use
II the beds.
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