436 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



ultimate solution of the problem is proportionately hastened; but they 

 are first of all men trained in the spirit and methods of scientific re- 

 search. 



In general, an investigation may be prompted by either or both of 

 two incentives; either by the pleasure to be derived from achievement 

 and the love of scientific study for itself, or by the hope that from the 

 investigation some immediately useful result may be obtained. Yet 

 between the product of the first motive — pure chemistry — and the 

 ultimate result of the second — technical chemistry — a difference does 

 not necessarily exist. The fact that a piece of work is undertaken 

 and carried on with the predetermined purpose of applying the re- 

 sults to a practical or commercial end does not in itself render it any 

 the less a study in pure chemistry. The method of thought and ac- 

 tion employed will be that of the investigator in pure science whatever 

 the ultimate object may be. To make the result of the work an 

 achievement in technical chemistry an important contribution must 

 then be made by the chemical engineer, in order that the conditions 

 making up the definition of the term ' technical chemistry ' as already 

 stated may be fulfilled. 



In trying to point out, therefore, some of the important problems 

 in technical chemistry, no attempt will be made to distinguish between 

 the part which must first be played by pure chemistry in their solu- 

 tion, and that which will still remain to be done by the chemical engi- 

 neer to make this contribution utilitarian. 



There is always a tendency to measure the importance of a sub- 

 ject by the extent of one's knowledge of it and the depth of the interest 

 one has in it. In order, therefore, that we may obtain a proper per- 

 spective, we must consider a problem important in proportion as it 

 affects the greatest number of people; of moment according as the 

 results of its solution will be far-reaching in their effects, or be but 

 of local benefit. 



From this point of view, the first industry to demand attention is 

 the manufacture of fertilizers. In the last ten years the product of 

 this industry in the United States alone has increased from 1,900,000 

 tons to 2,900,000 tons, an increase of over 50 per cent. This in- 

 crease is probably more marked in America than in the older countries 

 of Europe, because the necessity of replenishing the virgin soil was 

 there reached long ago, while with us it is only begun. The magnitude 

 of the industries which are dependent directly or indirectly upon agri- 

 cultural products is so well recognized that it needs no discussion here. 

 That the supply of crude material from which plant life derives its 

 nourishment should be maintained is therefore a source of respon- 

 sibility for the present as well as for future generations. Of this as of 

 every great industry it may be said that the supply of raw material 

 for to-morrow is a problem for to-day. 



