wool by the reaction with
chloride of barium, it will be found to contain from 1.53 to 1.87 per
cent. of sulphur.--_Wool and Textile Fabrics._

* * * * *

THE PRODUCTION OF AMMONIA FROM COAL.[1]

By LUDWIG MOND.

[Footnote 1: A paper read at the annual general meeting of the
Society of Chemical Industry, London, July 10, 1889.]

As exemplifying to a certain extent the application of methodical
research to an industrial problem, I propose to bring before you
to-day an account of the work I have been engaged in for many years in
relation to the procuring of new and abundant supplies of ammonia, and
to investigations connected therewith.

Through the classic researches of Lawes and Gilbert, who proved, in
opposition to no less an authority than Liebig, that ammonia is a most
valuable manure which enables us not only to maintain, but to
multiply, the yield of our fields, and thus to feed on the same area a
much larger number of inhabitants, the immense importance of an
abundant supply of ammonia, more particularly for the Old World, with
its teeming population and worn-out soil, has been apparent to every
one.

For many years Europe has paid to South America millions upon millions
of pounds for ammonia in the shape of guano, and more recently, since
the supply of guano practically ceased, for nitrate of soda, which
effectually serves the same purpose as ammonia. During the past year
South America exported 750,000 tons of nitrate, of which 650,000 went
to Europe, representing a value of not less than 6,500,000l.

The problem of saving this immense expenditure to Europe, of making
ourselves independent of a country so far away for the supply of a
material upon which the prosperity of our agriculture--our most
important industry--depends, by supplying this ammonia from sources at
our own command, is certainly one of the most important which our
science has to solve.

It is more than 100 years since Berthollet ascertained that ammonia
consists of nitrogen and hydrogen, two elements which we have in great
abundance at our command, and innumerable attempts have been made
during this century to produce this valuable product by the direct
combination of the elements, as well as by indirect means. It has been
equally well known that we are in possession of three abundant sources
of nitrogen:

(1.) In the shape of matter of animal origin.

(2.) In the shape of matter