19-21.] Synthetic Nitrogenous Fertilisers. 1041 



Nitrate of Ammonia. — Nitrate of ammonia is essentially a 



wartime product. The Norwegian exports were, in metric tons, 

 per annum : — 



j 1910 



11)11 3,024 



1912 4,270 



1913 9,107 



1914 11,959 



1915 26,459 



19 10 59,639 



1917 63,578 



The German production is estimated as follows, in metric 

 tons : — 



1912 — 



1913 20,000 



1914 40,000 



1915 100,000 



1916 200,000 



1917 333,000 



The figures for ±916 and 1917 lack confirmation, but they 

 were undoubtedly high. 



There was also a considerable production in this country, but 

 it was from pre-existing nitrogen compounds, so that the material 

 could not be described as synthetic. The Nitrogen Products 

 Committee of the Munitions Inventions Department* carried 

 out experiments during the War, as the result of which a 

 factory was started at Bellingham: since the War this factory 

 has been taken over by a private company. Large quantities 

 of ammonia will be produced and then converted into a suitable 

 salt. Ammonium nitrate presents no technical difficulties, 

 and could easily be prepared in sufficient quantity to satisfy 

 any agricultural demand. In peace time it can be used as 

 fertiliser; should, unhappily, another war break out it can be 

 used as explosive. 



Numerous experiments have been made with ammonium 

 nitrate as a fertiliser. It has proved to be very quick in action, 

 and well suited to horticulturists, market gardeners and others 

 using large amounts of nitrogenous manure and desiring speedy 

 effects. It is also effective on the farm. Comparison has not 

 always been made with the same substance ; sometimes nitrate of 

 soda has been used as the standard, and sometimes — as at 



° A note on the Report of this Committee was published in this Journal, 

 February, 1920, p. 1112. 



