LAND AND OTHER AGENTS OF PRODUCTION 207 



by that of Chile saltpeter and the world's demand for combined nitro- 

 gen. With any possible introduction on an unlimited scale of a new 

 form or source of combined nitrogen, the production of Chile saltpeter 

 would soon be largely abandoned. The production of ammonia from 

 gas works and coke ovens would, however, continue indefinitely. 



A method for the synthetic production of ammonia has recently 

 been patented in France by Brochep and Boiteau. Mention should 

 also be made of the method proposed by H. S. Blackmore for effecting 

 the synthesis of ammonia from its constituent elements. Details are 

 lacking as to the technical value of this American process. 



The three principal processes mentioned above are the only ones 

 thus far (January, 1912) in successful operation on a commercial scale. 

 In 1905, Swedish and especially French capital became interested in 

 the undertaking already begun by Norwegian capital. The earlier 

 organization was merged into a new company with a capital of $1,876,- 

 ooo, entitled the Norwegian Hydro-electric Nitrogen Company. The 

 plant was enlarged to twenty times its former capacity and valuable 

 water-power sites in various parts of Norway were acquired. During 

 this period the Badische Anilin- und Sodafabrik had pushed forward 

 its tests with the Schonhefr furnace in its experimental plant at 

 Christiansand. The value of the new process became evident. Two 

 other powerful German chemical companies of Berlin joined forces 

 with the "Badische" to develop the Schonherr process. 



Under the circumstances, those in control of both processes decided 

 that the best policy was to combine their interests and work in unison. 

 Accordingly, in 1907 they created two new companies. The Nor- 

 wegian Power Company has a capital of $4,288,000 and aims to 

 acquire and regulate available water powers in the kingdom. The 

 Norwegian Nitrate Works Company has a capital of $4,824,000 and 

 confines its activity to the manufacture of nitrates and allied products. 

 This creation of two distinct companies, one occupied with the devel- 

 opment of power, the other with its utilization, is an imitation of the 

 procedure of the capitalists who established electro-chemical industries 

 in Switzerland. The Franco-Norwegian company and the German 

 group each subscribed to one-half of the shares of the two new com- 

 panies. The former retained its factory at Notodden and continued 

 its operation. The latter did the same with its small plant at Chris- 

 tiansand. All the energies of the newly founded companies were 

 directed at once to the erection of a power works at Rjukan, and to 

 the erection at Saaheim of the vast nitrate works that are to begin 



