Some of the Sources of Chemical Fertilizers

Percentage composition of materials used as sources of nitrogen (German Kali

Works, N.Y. City)

Composition of materials used as sources of phosphoric acid (Kali Works)

Marketed production of phosphate rock in the United States, from the beginning of the industry in 1867 to 1909, in long tons (Van Horn, U.S. Geol. Surv.)

World's production of phosphate rock, 1905-1907, by countries, in metric tons

(Van Horn)

Average composition of Stassfurt potash salts (German Kali Works)

Potash salts produced in the United States, 1850 to 1905 1 (Phalen, U.S. Geol.

Survey.)

1  Munroe, C. E., Bull. 92, Census of Manufactures, Bur. Census, 1905, p. 38.

2 Includes establishments engaged primarily in the manufacture of other products.

There was a time when the United States produced a large part, if not all, of the potash it consumed. The burning of wood and the lixiviation of the resulting ash to extract the potash, though of minor importance so far as the monetary value of the product is concerned, is one of the oldest of the purely chemical industries in this country. Cognizance was taken of it in the census reports as early as 1850, so that data are available for comparing the condition of the industry for each decade since that year. The above table gives the quantity and value of potash produced in the United States from 1850 to 1905.

Potash salts are used extensively in the United States. They are essential to numerous industries that are vitally connected with the welfare of the American people — the most notable being the fertilizer industry. They are used also in the manufacture of glass, in certain kinds of soap, in some explosive powders, and in the chemical industries, including the manufacture of alum, cyanides, bleaching powders, dyestuffs, and other chemicals. (Phalen.)