REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE FIXED NITROGEN 

 RESEARCH LABORATORY. 



United States Department of Agriculture, 



Fixed Nitrogen Research Laboratory, 



Washington, D. C, Septemher 13, 1923. 

 Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith the annual report of 

 the Fixed Nitrogen Research Laboratory for the fiscal year ending 

 June 30, 1923. 



Respectfully, 



F. G. Cottrell, Director. 

 Hon. Henry C. Wallace, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The entrance of the United States into the World War brought 

 forcibly to the attention of this Government its serious unprepared- 

 ness in the matter of nitrogen, particularly for explosives. Other 

 countries, with the exception of the Central Powers, had found them- 

 selves in a similar situation, and the universal rush to erect and 

 place in operation plants for the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen 

 is now a familiar story. The years following the war have added 

 a chapter of no less interest, for they have seen the nations of the 

 earth awakening to a realization that their peace-time requirements 

 of nitrogen must come in increasingly greater proportion from 

 sources other than the natural deposits. Thus, the past year has 

 seen Germany operating fixation plants, the output of which has 

 rendered her almost entirely independent of outside sources, and it 

 is predicted that in the next few years she will be exporting large 

 quantities of nitrogenous fertilizers. The growth of this industry in 

 Gel-many can best be appreciated when it is pointed out that in 1910 

 Germany imported over 65 per cent of the nitrogen she consumed. 



Although Germany has by far outstripped other countries in 

 producing fixed nitrogen, many of the latter are making progress. 

 This is most clearly shown by the fact that in 1920 more than 36 per 

 cent of the world's production was supplied by the fixation of atmos- 

 pheric nitrogen, having risen from little over 1 per cent in 10 years. 



In the peace-time development of actual producing plants for 

 nitrogen fixation this country has taken practically no part, less 

 than 1 per cent of our present requirements being supplied by the 

 fixation of atmospheric nitrogen within our borders. Meanwhile, 

 the rapid growth in the use of fertilizers in the United States is 

 repeating what has taken place in Europe. As the population in- 

 creases, larger yields per acre become necessary. One way of accom- 

 plishing this is by the use of commercial fertilizers. 



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