REPORT ON NITRIFICATION. 317 



tions to our knowledge have not been frequent, and most of what 

 has been done in an experimental way has been in connexion with 

 researches in agricultural chemistry. 



In a subject so complicated, involving the solution of so many 

 questions, each of which by itself is but an inconsequential step 

 towards a complete theory, the demonstration of a few detached 

 truths does not seem to be a satisfactory return for any great labor 

 or expense, and no one could think of taking it up in a thorough way 

 without a greater command of time and means than is usually pos- 

 sessed by chemists. The most important drawback to a determina- 

 tion of proper means for the artificial production of saltpetre is to be 

 found in the want of a stimulus from manufacturing enterprise. All 

 such manufacture has been greatly discouraged of late years by the 

 large importations from India and South America; and the prospect 

 of any considerable and permanent rise in prices is too remote to be 

 the occasion of speculation or outlay. 



We have, indeed, every reason to believe that if a certain amount 

 of progress were once made in the matter it would become an im- 

 portant and profitable branch of industry, under all circumstances; 

 but new methods of manufacture generall}' owe their development 

 not to their promise of future usefulness, but to the pressure of some 

 immediate want. 



At present, the subject of nitrification is of interest, not so much 

 to the practical chemist, who seeks for some easy step to immediate 

 profit, as to the statesman, w^ho looks forward to times of national 

 emergency, when nitre shall become an article of vital necessity, and 

 the usual modes of obtaining it be cut off. This country is so situated 

 as to make this a matter of peculiar interest. No other nation, per- 

 haps, can in any war in which it is likely to be engaged be so com- 

 pletely deprived of this important article. We have no saltpetre 

 plantations in actual operation, not many buildings whose walls we 

 could expect to find much nitrified, and our only natural resource is 

 one which, we have every reason to believe, would be a very insufii- 

 cient one, viz: that of our western caves. 



Great Britain could, in a war with us, very easily stop our impor- 

 tation of saltpetre from her own possessions in Hindostan, and that 

 of nitrate of soda from the few ports of South America w^hence it 

 can be obtained, and could check, to a great extent at least, attempts 

 on our part at getting supplies from Europe. While we could be 

 severely pressed in this way b}^ a single power, a combination against 

 us would increase our isolation, and call on us for still more exhaust- 

 ing efforts. To provide against such contingencies is, indeed, a thing 

 entirely practicable. 



While modern warfare calls for enormous expenditures of saltpetre, 

 modern science has the power of finding means for a corresponding 

 production. But this power, to become available, must be studied; 

 and its study, which the ordinary course of peaceful events gives 

 no stimulus to. should be the especial care of government, as one of 

 the most important means of providing for the common defence. 

 Not only should principles be established, but details should be de- 



