Quote:
Originally Posted by Rifleman
"What did you do in the war, Grandpa?" 
"Son, I emptied chamber pots. It was hell, young'un. I'd rather not talk about it."  |
Makes sense actually. Almost all explosives of all classes require some sort of a Nitrate in them. (Flash powder of Potassium Chlorate and powdered Magnesium is the only one I know of that doesn't use a Nitrate). Though animal manure can be a source, it is not as volumnus as - as- well - you can buy it at the nursery - Nitro Humus. The Japanese used it extensively for fertilizer, called Night Soil. But using "fresh" nitro humus from cesspools and septic tanks was outlawed in most parts of this country because it could transmit human diseases if used to fertilize vegetables. Nitro humus sold at the nursery has been allowed to "age" long enough for the heat to kill all harmful bacteria.
During the Civil War, charcoal was easy to find. Almost any town burned down would provide plenty.
Whether there are sulfur mines in the South or not I don't know. But obviously they were in very short supply of Potassium Nitrate.
They must also have had non supply of Nitric Acid from which you can make all kinds of Nitrates. Mixed with Ammonia it congeals into little pellets and is an ideal fertilizer.
But don't grind it up, mix some powdered aluminum in it and stir the whole batch in fuel oil (or whale oil or wax). It's not a good fertilizer then but you will have no problem getting rid of those tree stumps.