Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-08-26
WINNING GERMANY'S TRADE

German product was potash. This
element is something which is needeu,
in fertilizer and every farmer feels its
absence Each year We had been I'M
porting millions Of dollars worth. Used
before the war as fertilizer il was
worth S3l a ton. After hostilities its
price ran up TO $500 ton. Potash Is
a necessary plant food and almost our
entire supply had been coming from
Germany.
We have unlimited sources of potash
on hand in this country. but the high
cost of getting il out of the ores pro-
hibited its use. IT is locked up in
insoluble form in feldspathic rock, and
it cost $40 a ton to get il in usable
shape. Our domestic production in
1916 was less than 5000 tons, while our
yearly need is 100000 tons. We have
the potash locked up here in vast guam
titles, the only question is unlocking
il cheaply enough. This problem is
now being attacked vigorously by
American chemists. There are at pres
ent three sources from which we get
slim supplies of this material They
are trade wastes, natural deposits and
kelp.
The trade wastes are the by-products
of the cement factories which use the
rock containing potash in their BUSH
ness, the potash being collected from
the dust in the stacks and precipitased
electrically. This process was perfect
ed on account of the complaints of the
people of Riverside, Cal. that the fumes
and dust from a cement mill were a
nuisance. An apparatus was made to
eliminate this trouble. and now the by
product Of potash is a source OF btg
revenue TO the company.
The gas from blast furnaces also con-
tains potash. and that is being saved
by electricity. Active work is being
done. nov by the government to save
the large amount now wasted at Tho
furnaces in the mining districts.
sheep wool contains 4 large amount
of potash. The dried sweat of sheep
must be removed before the wool can
be used. 1t is treated with gasoline, re-
sultine in a residue of grease and pot
ash.
Wood ashes have large amount OK
potash. and each farmer should save
there are many small lakes whose wa
ters contain this valuable element
Utah has a deposit in the form OF
alunite In Searles lake. California,
there is beneath the surface twelve
square miles of mud impregnated with
brine containing I per cent potash. II
is estimated that this ought II furnish
100000 tons of potassium chloride
Salt lake also contains potash If its
waters could be induced TO part with
il cheaply there would be enough from
this source alone to supply US for
years.
Along the Pacific coast of North
America are giant water plants known
as kelp This has large content of
potash. which can be utilized by dry
ing the weed and using it ground. or
by burning and securing the ash. EN-
periments looking to growing il on tho
Atlantic coast. where fertilizer is most
needed are under way. With the forces
AT work on potash. 1t is likely that be-
fore the war is ended America will
have unlocked her vast stores of that
material and be able to place II cheaply
on the market.
The bureau of standards has tackled
the problem Of glass and crockery. EN-
periments are being carried on at the
station at Pittsburgh. Imported clays
were studied and then American clays
experimental upon till now the result
is a most imposing and beautiful eN-
hibit of pottery made from American
clay and colors.
Glass and earthernware for chemical
purposes have always been imported.
Now the bureau is showing a case OF
this which is of the finest quality and
heatproof to as good degree as any
bought abroad. Glazes for pottery have
been worked out, new colors obtained
and the best grades of porcelains are
now being manufactured. Glass for
optical work is now being tested and
experimented with. and 1t is probable
that within a few months Uncle Sam
will have as fine microscopes ana
scientific apparatus of his own make
as he could buy abroad.
Recent articles in the papers show
that Germany is worrying about our
progress. Has her trade with us gone
forever and will we hold in future the
supremacy We are rapidly gaining
ence?