BUREAU OF SOILS. 245 



lion on the plant-capacity scale of the main and side products yielded 

 by the process developed and now obtainable with the apparatus in- 

 stalled or about to be installed. At the same time, it is not intended 

 to discontinue researches looking to the development of other prod- 

 ucts and processes, but on the contrary to pursue them with all the 

 energy which the circumstances will permit. Effort is now being 

 made to secure the services, on a permanent basis, of a research chem- 

 ist who will reside here and work in the plant laboratory and give the 

 various research problems his undivided attention. The advantage of 

 a thorough laboratory investigation as the preliminary of any at- 

 tempts to institute plant-scale changes in processes is so marked and 

 its economy is so well recognized that it now seems advisable to await 

 fuller experimental data obtained on the smaller scale before pro- 

 ceeding on the larger scale. 



The opportunity for other and more detailed researches on kelp and 

 kelp products is excellent. The field broadens tremendously as prog- 

 ress is made. A materially enlarged staff of chemical engineers, or 

 chemists and engineers, could be advantageously applied to the study 

 of these if funds and program warranted. It would be the greatest 

 mistake to permit the present opportunity to pass without a com- 

 plete study and solution of the more important of those. 



SUMMARY. 



(1) At the approach of the end of the second year of operation of 

 the experimental kelp-potash plant, by-products have been discov- 

 ered, developed, and their commercial obtainability established, which 

 afford every assurance that kelp is to prove a profitable source of 

 American potash, and that the department's work at Summerland 

 will result not only in its complete justification, but also in the estab- 

 lishment of a kelp-potash industry of a substantial nature. 



(2) As the years program it is proposed to produce as many of 

 those products as possible on a large scale in order to demonstrate 

 profits. It is believed that the end of the year will find the plant on 

 a paying basis. 



SOIL PHYSICS. 



During 1919 the regular research work in soil physics was largely 

 suspended, owing to the employment of the force on nitrogen fixa- 

 tion work, but the routine work of the division was carried on as 

 usual. The machinists were called upon to furnish a great deal of 

 special apparatus and equipment needed in investigational work on 

 war problems. Because of their special knowledge of the physical 

 factors involved, the larger part of the personnel of the division was 

 utilized in work on the synthesis and oxidation of ammonia, carried 

 on in cooperation with the Bureau of Ordnance, Nitrate Division, 

 of the War Department. The work done was of much assistance to 

 the AVar Department in solving problems involved in perfecting 

 processes for the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen. 



