294 AXNl'AL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT* OF AGRICULTURE. 



The control exercised has. we believe, aided in protecting the 

 farmer from ex[)l()itation by ijrnorant or unscrupulous manufac- 

 turers and dealers, through the sale of relatixely valueless or harm- 

 ful products. Thus, by reason of the authority granted in the 

 proclamation, the department was able to ])ut out a ruling on borax 

 in fertilizers which has been widely commended for its efficient and 

 rapid elimination of this deleterious substance from fertilizer mix- 

 tures. This ruling protected the farmer and the manufacturer alike 

 in the use of material which Avould not ordinarily be suspected of 

 deleterious effect. 



AA'ith the conclusion of peace, the power now exercised under the 

 Presi(,lent*s proclanuition will cease. In view of this, it is strongly 

 recommended that Congress jjass a national fertilizer-control law 

 continuing a part of the fertilizer control in this department. It is 

 felt that the loss of power to protect the farmer from exploitation 

 and deceit by unscrupulous manufacturers and dealers would be a 

 national calamit3^ On the other hand. Federal control would work 

 for the best interest of the fertilizer trade, in that the business would 

 be kept on a high plane. A national fertilizer law would do for 

 the commercial fertilizer industry what the national food and druff 

 act has done for the pharmaceutical and food industries, and in the 

 same way would benefit the farmer and the general public. 



NITROGEN FIXATION. 



For the nitrogen-fixation work the bureau has been largely de- 

 pendent on certain special funds set aside by the War Department 

 for material and labor, but also has drawn heavily upon its several 

 divisions for personnel. The bureau should have ample authority to 

 carr}^ on this work, in view of the fact that the future policy of the 

 War Department has not been determined and depends somewhat 

 upon action of Congress. 



The European War has emphasized certain activities and has 

 brought about certain conditions which make it imperative that we 

 establish our independence regarding sources of fertilizer materials. 

 The necessity for nitrogen independence has been recognized by 

 practically all of the leading countries of the world. Germany had 

 established her nitrogen independence before the beginning of the 

 World War. In truth, probably the fact that she alone of all the 

 nations involved had ample nitrogen supply within her borders led 

 to the l^elief that this would give her such an ad\'antage that it 

 would be the deciding factor in victory. England, France, and 

 Italy are all perfecting plans to make themselves equally secure 

 regarding nitrogen suppl3\ and the greatest activity is being shown 

 by them in investigational work on the subject. This country can 

 not afford to fall behind the rest of the world on a question of so 

 vital importance both in peace and in war. As a result of this recog- 

 nition of the importance of nitrogen, there have been greatly in- 

 creased activities in the investigation of methods for fixing nitrogen. 

 The knowledge of fixation processes within the United States has 

 been rather limited, however. 



During the war two plants for nitrogen fixation were constructed, 

 one at Sheffield and one at ^luscle Shoals, Ala. As an emergency 

 proposition the construction of thei^e plants was fully justified, but 



