Aug. 3, 1908.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.TF. 627 



Taking into consideration the fact that the electro-thermic combustion 

 of atmospheric nitrogen, as a means of producing nitric acid cheaply, is 

 thoroughly estabUshed, the carbonate of soda in our artesian waters, which 

 at present is a substance poisonous to vegetation, promises to be in the near 

 future an asset of incalculable value to Australia, and a great lasting triumph 

 of man over natural productions. 



The whole scheme is fascinating and sound. The geologist, chemist, physi- 

 cist, electrician, engineer, and agriculturist each play an important, well- 

 est.^bhshed part, and the capitalist should not be slow to recognise the 

 advantages of an enormously increased yield. To get in one season, with 

 one tillage, sowing, and harvesting operation, what under ordinary circum- 

 stances would take five or six years, and to get it practically for nothing, 

 without risk, is an occurrence extremely rare. The results so far achieved 

 are phenomenal, and the process may fairly be regarded as worthy of being 

 fully investigated in the field. 



Note. — The Ministei-, being deeply impressed with the potentialities of exj^erimental 

 work on the lines herein indicated, has approved of a start being made at once on soil at 

 the Moree Experiment Farm, which has been irrigated for a number of years with 

 artesian water, of which an analysis is given in this paper. 



An area of 2 to 3 acres is being sown witii one variety of wheat, one part is to be left 

 untreated, and others treated with nitric acid at the rate of varying quantities per acre. 



If the results of the experiment, which will be carried on for several years, after still 

 further irrigation with this artesian water, corroborate the pot experiments herein 

 described by Mr. Symmonds, a distinct addition to our knowledge of this important 

 subject will have been made. 



The next step must be to experiment in the direction of making cheap nitric acid, for 

 the present price in Sydney (£32 per ton), with the cost of transport to our artesian 

 bores added, makes the use of it on large areas practically impossible. If, however, the 

 power generated by the ascending column of artesian water in an average bore can be 

 harnessed and used to develop electric currents, which will oxidise the inert nitrogen 

 of the air into nitric acid, the use of this agent to neutralise the toxic effects of the 

 carl)onate of soda, and make it into a valuable fertiliser, will be brought within the 

 realm of practical agriculture. 



For this second stage of the experiment it will be necessary to get from Great Britain 

 the machinery needed to generate the nitric acid liy the operation of a Pelton wheel 

 driven Ijy the force of the artesian bore, and Parliament will be asked to make the 

 requisite appropriation. Meanwhile the other problem of making cheap acid by the 

 agency of the blast-furnace gases now going to waste at Lithgow and elsewhere, is one 

 well worthy of the investigation of our engineei's.--H.C.L.A. 





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