Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1936-09-11

Aluminium .. ......... $4,000
Yet the quantity of sea-water which
would yield the above hoard would
be relatively minute compared with
the overwhelming volumes availble-
literally but a drop in the bucket. Of
course, as these vast supplies of GER
tain metals and chemicals became
available. prices would be reduced.
But simultaneously demand would be
increased because of the chemical in
dustry's ingenuity in developing new
uses and markets for it's products.
That is why pin my hopes for Amer
icas future on businesslike scientists
They are always striving for lower
prices and bigger volume. Only as
prices are lowered and more goods
are produced can our standard of
living rise.
Politicians VS. Scientists.
Other startling illustrations of re-
evolutionary chemical processes ar&
"tank-agriculture" and chemurgy.
While politicians howl about farm
problems, our scientists are quietly
studying the chemistry of farming.
The Department of Agriculture warns
us that, although the drought has
temporarily eliminated farm sur
pluses, our basic problem of over
production is still with us. At the
same time, the folks in the Depart
of Conservation predict grave disas-
tiers and food shortages if soil erosion
is not halted. Meanwhile, practical
chemists are developing methods of
s,.A 60 l.
to protect us against future short
ages; while, in case Mr.. Wallace is
correct, another chemical group are
today finding new industrial uses
(chemurgy) for our surplus farm
products.
"Tank farming" is carried on in
shallow basins filled with a fertilizer
solution maintained at a standard
temperature. Seeds are sprouted in
peat-moss placed on wire screens just
above the liquid, their roots extending
downward into the culture. Crop
yields obtained in experiments have
been truly amazing. Tomato plants
grow so high that the fruit must be
picked from stepladder. The tomato
yield is at the rate of 200 tons per
a normal outdoor crop of about five
tons per acre. Potatoes produce O.
400 bushels per acre from the tanks
compared with an outdoor average of
115 bushels. Productivity of straw
berries, turnips, carrots, celery, and
other vegetables beggar the magma
ton.
Churches Must Do Their Part.
Meanwhile the chemurgists are
counterbalancing the tank farmers
Led by Henry Ford, they are trying
to find industrial uses for agricul-
tural products While tank farms
are still confined to the laboratory
stage, chemurgists have had several
of their brain children adopted by
industrialists. Alcohol is being made
from artichokes, plastics from short
cotton fibres, paint from soy beans
and tung oil, paper from corn husks,
roads from cotton, cosmetics from
oats. Some of these products are
now in actual production on a COM
merical scale. Agrenistry and chemur-
CIV may sound like tales from the
Arabian Nights but they are actually
Notwithstanding realities.
Hence our engineers, inventors, and
chemists are constantly leading US
toward a more prosperous period
Bat we Gun live no benefits from
new developments if they are multi
fled by dishonest employers, selfish
workers, and INSCRIPTIONS politicians
Amer ica's real problems are not me-
charical but social. Our human de-
ve.opment has not kept pace with
our technical advancement. Only
true spiritual revival and menta
awakening in our churches ano
schools can cope with the tremend
Gus problems introduced by the pro
gress in our laboratories
Business, as estimated by the Bah
sonchart, now registers Is per cent
above year ago and is only one pei
cent below normal