The production of available potash from the natural silicites

In this paper a summary is given of the various processes which have been proposed for making the potash in the natural silicates available as a fertilizer.Experimental trials of a new rotary kiln process for treating feldspar are described, which depends upon a previous treatment before furnacing, consisting of a method of aggregating or clumping the mix so that chemical contact of the reacting substances is brought about during the subsequent processing. The qualitative and quantitative results obtained on a number of experimental trials on a mill scale of operation are presented and discussed. It is shown that it is possible to economically manufacture a potash fertilizer containing free lime from feldspar, and for a sufficiently low cost to make an industry based upon the method worthy of consideration.     

Steel in freight car construction

It has been the custom among designers of freight cars either with underframes of steel or of wood to depend upon the strength of the underframe alone in making computations for a specified carrying capacity, despite the fact that the superstructure in many cases can and does constitute a truss. The author presents the evolution in design of structural steel freight cars, with which he has been closely identified, where the value of the superstructure as a tress has been duly considered as an element of strength and in reducing weight.