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Living on the Air 273 a laboratory experiment. It could be reduced to practice. The pivot upon which success hinged was the cost of producing the necessary electric current. At that time the Chilian fertiliser was costing £7 10s. per ton, and he pointed out that if the necessary electric energy could be produced so as not to cost more than one-seventeenth of a penny, then nitrates could be made from the air at a cost of £5 per ton, or 33 Per cent, cheaper than the natural article could be bought at that time in the open market. He also emphasised the fact that, while it might not be possible to produce the necessary electric current at such a low price as he set forth in the usual manner—that is, by means of steam, gas, and oil engines—Nature was ready to extend assistance. Water-power would solve the problem, and he drew attention to the vast resources of Niagara in this respect, where millions of horse-power were running to waste and could be inexpensively harnessed. The eminent chemist’s suggestion practically proved the turning-point in the commercial future of the problem. Electricians, chemists, engineers, and scien- tists in all parts of the world turned their energies towards the solution of the difficulties that now remained to be subjugated. First and foremost an electric furnace, in which the air could be burned, was required. Progress was rapid. In 1902 there came into existence the first commercial company for the production of nitrates from the air. The Atmo- spheric Products Company was founded in America and acting upon the suggestion of Sir William Crookes, Niagara Falls were pressed into service to supply the electric current cheaply. A special furnace was s