DEMAND FOR NITROGEN

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 285, 21 August 1918, Page 10

DEMAND FOR NITROGEN

As an indication of the growing demand for nitrogen, in tho world's markets, it .is interesting to note' tho consumption in the United States, which has nearly 'trebled its imports of nitrates during the last six years. According to a return compiled by Dr. Paul J. Fox, the States during 1917 imported 1,742,510 tons of sodium nitrate from Chile, representing 272,880 tons of nitrogen, nt a gross cost exceeding twenty Bullion pounds, out of which the Chile Government would obtain nearly four million pounds, in tho form of export duty. The gross amount of nitrogen imported and produced during tho year, including that obtained from ammonia, amounted to 390.187 tons. Tho exports accounted for If.OGfi ton 3, leaving 310,121 tons for home consumption. Of the exports, jttnpowder and smokeless powder represented 29,025 tons, war munitions SSOO' tons, and nitric acid, picric acid, dynamite, and saltpetre inado up tl'e balance of 0211 tons of contained nitrogen. It will be observed that in spite of the large quantities of war muuitions being supplied hy the States, the nitrogen contained therein is comparatively small, compared to the home consumption. It is, therefore, evident that, in spite of the increased cost, nitrates are being moro largely used as fertilisers. No doubt the war has largely contributed to this re*ult. .First, because so mnny articles have appeared in the public Press, giving details of tho great advance in the production of foodstuffs in Germany of recent years, as the result of a liberal two. oE fertilisers, especially nitrates. Second, tho increased returns for farm and other pro'duco has enabled the cultivators to sptire moro money for fertilisers with view to still greater gains in future.