Abstract: A method of treating organic material which includes admixing organic material with water and an acid, the acid equivalent to 5-12% by total weight 100% sulfuric acid; increasing the pH of said admixture, while simultaneously introducing up to 5% by weight of steam; and heating and drying the basified admixture. The resultant material makes excellent plant food, fertilizer, or soil conditioner. Various modifications are possible, e.g., during the first step, steam may be introduced in an amount of up to 40% by weight of the final product. Also, during the first step, carbonate-free calcium may be included in the admixture of the first step. After the alkalinization step, nutrients such as lime, dolomite, rock phosphate, potash, ammonium nitrate, and/or urea may be added to the admixture. The resulting material can be granulated, extruded or pelletized.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of compositions for stimulating plant growth whereby coal ash is fused with a humic acid-bearing ore, and more particularly fusing fly ash with leonardite ore; compositions produced by such a process; and methods for use thereof for stimulating plant growth.

Abstract: A high analysis suspension fertilizer containing predetermined amounts of nitrogen and other inorganic plant nutrients is produced from a low plant nutrient-containing organic material, such as animal manure or sewage sludge, by first preparing an aqueous initial suspension of the organic material by admixing with a sufficient amount of water for the organic material to be uniformly dispersed throughout the initial suspension and admixing with the initial suspension a sufficient amount of an acid, such as sulfuric acid, for reacting with the organic material and transforming it into colloidal form, the weight ratio of the acid to the total weight of the organic material in the initial suspension being within the range of about 0.2 to about 2 and the weight ratio of the acid to the total dry weight of the organic material being within the range of about 0.5 to 5.

Abstract: Organic materials, more particularly wood and woody parts of plants, are intensely crushed, defibrated, heated and physically broken up in a thermal screw press, an impregnation with previously added auxiliary substances being simultaneously effected. The thus prepared material has a peat-like appearance and provides optimal physical, chemical and biological properties for its use as a peat substitute and substrate component. Inter alia, it is suitable as an additive for the physical upgrading of strongly decomposed peat varieties and for drawing out and better aeration of peat and culture substrates produced on the base of peat. When vaccinated with suitable fungi or microorganism, it is also very advantageously used for the mycorrhization of mycotrophic plants and as an additive for the production of high-grade composts.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing preferred iron humate products. The preferred iron humate products provide iron and other nutrients and organic matter for vegetation and supplementation of animal feedstocks. The preferred iron humate products are produced by using an iron salt coagulant that is relatively free of heavy metal contaminants and reacting the iron salt coagulant with naturally occurring humic substances such as those found in natural surface waters used in drinking water treatment facilities. According to the invention, iron is stoichiometrically reacted at a controlled pH with the humic and fulvic acid fractions in the water to precipitate an iron humate product precipitate. A preferred concentration of iron salt coagulants is used in order to minimize the formation of iron hydroxides.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making organic based fertilizer, the method including mixing organic material with phosphate, potash, or other inorganics and water if necessary. Acid is mixed with the organic and inorganic material mixture and the resulting mixture is permitted to cure for a sufficient period of time to allow the acid to chemically break down the material of the mixture. A first quantity of ammonia is then added to the mixture, and a second quantity of ammonia is added to the mixture to produce the finished fertilizer product. Quantities of the various ingredients are adjusted to provide a fertilizer that has a desired percentage make-up of the major fertilizer elements for a specific crop.

Abstract: A new slow releasing particulate iron humate agricultural nutrient composition exhibiting substantially complete solubility of its iron content in soil solutions as indicated by neutral citrate solubilities, and almost no solubility in water, and a new method for preparing the composition. The method comprises admixing and coreacting iron humate with about equimolar amounts of a divalent metal oxide, an aqueous hydroxide of a monovalent Lewis acid, and a water soluble inorganic phosphate. The iron humate amounts to between 20 and 70 percent of the nutrient particles, and the reaction is carried out at temperatures between 60.degree. and 150.degree. C. for between 4 and 25 minutes.

Abstract: To form a binder from naturally occurring products without extraction or purification steps, the binder utilizes proteins from the germ or endosperm of cereal grasses or from the seed of buckwheat, oil seed plants, Amaranthus or leguminous plants or from leaves. The protein has a thermoplastic microstructure with linear polymers of moleculer weight of at least 2,000 linked with peptide linkages of at least 50 in number. The naturally occurring product is ground or milled without further processing and thus includes carbohydrates, particularly as cellulose, and possibly fats, yeast or materials yielding ash upon burning, with the carbohydrates being at least 5 percent of the proteins by weight. The binder may include some initiators or catalysts to polymerize fats or other initiators or catalysts to polymerize proteins.

Abstract: A method of stimulating seedling growth which comprises applying a coal-derived oxidation product to the medium in which the seedling is growing. The product is in the form of a solution or a slurry having a pH in the range of 2 to 12 and has the following elemental and functional group analysis (on an air-dried basis):______________________________________ ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS Element Range (%) ______________________________________ Carbon 30-70 Hydrogen 2-6 Nitrogen 0.1-5 Sulphur 0.1-10 Oxygen 15-45 ______________________________________ FUNCTIONAL GROUP ANALYSIS Functional Group Range (meq/g) ______________________________________ Total acidity 3-13 Carboxylic groups 0.5-12 Phenolic groups 0.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing preferred iron humate products. The preferred iron humate products provide iron and other nutrients and organic matter for vegetation. The preferred iron humate products are produced by using an iron salt coagulant that is relatively free of heavy metal contaminants and reacting the iron salt coagulant with naturally occurring humic substances such as those found in natural surface waters used in drinking water treatment facilities. According to the invention, iron is stoichiometrically reacted at a controlled pH with the humic and fulvic acid fractions in the water to precipitate an iron humate product precipitate. A preferred concentration of iron salt coagulants is used in order to minimize the formation of iron hydroxides which generally provide low iron availability to the plant. A more readily soluble iron humate complex is produced by the reacting and or blending of the iron humate residue with various nitrogen containing sources.

Abstract: The soil aggregate stability of a soil, particularly a crusting or compacting soil, is improved by the addition of a coal-derived product which is a humic acid gel, a humic acid salt gel, a humic acid salt which is capable of forming a gel in water or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing preferred iron humate products. The preferred iron humate products provide iron and other nutrients and organic matter for vegetation. The preferred iron humate products are produced by using an iron salt coagulant that is relatively free of heavy metal contaminants and reacting the iron salt coagulant with naturally occurring humic substances such as those found in natural surface waters used in drinking water treatment facilities. According to the invention, iron is stoichiometrically reacted at a controlled pH with the humic and fulvic acid fractions in the water to precipitate an iron humate product precipitate. A preferred concentration of iron salt coagulants is used in order to minimize the formation of iron hydroxides which generally provide low iron availability to the plant. A more readily soluble iron humate complex is produced by the reacting and or blending of the iron humate residue with various nitrogen containing sources.

Abstract: A plant stimulant product prepared from seaweed, a method for preparation of said product, and methods of use of said product. The product contains oxygen derived from a peroxide and aloe and may also contain humic acid.

Abstract: A composition for use in applying an alkaline earth metal element to an acidic sub soil. The composition includes the element in the form of a water-soluble salt or complex with fulvic acid in an aqueous medium. The fulvic acid is preferably a coal-derived fulvic acid.

Abstract: A soil or soil improver for plants which is characterized by combining a charcoal or activated carbon on which oxygen is adsorbed with a soil or soil improver comprising an inorganic or organic ion exchanger and a porous mineral, and a soil or soil improver which further comprises polyacrylamide. By using the soil or soil improver of the invention, plants can continue to grow for four months to one year without supplying water and fertilizer, and various decoration patterns of plants are possible, such as horizontal decoration, reverse decoration and space decoration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the protection of the environment, particularly the soil and ground water, by biological degradation of unwanted chemical and biological entities often finding their way into soils. The process of the present invention utilizes the well known methods of the art of composting but specifically selects the raw plant materials to be composted from plant groups having carbon:nitrogen ratios of approximately 10:1 to 30:1 of carbon and nitrogen content. Examples of said special plant material being from members of the plant family Leguminosae, and specifically Gossypium hirsutum (cotton). By means of certain modifications of the art of composting said special plant materials, disclosed herein, generate a special humic substrate which supports an indigenous microflora and fauna capable of degrading a number of unwanted substances harmful to man, animals and plants; examples being certain petroleum hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbon pesticides and soil borne plant pathogens.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and process useful for the biological transformation of waste materials into ecologically desirable materials. A meta system reactor is disclosed comprising three primary zones which are cyclically and dynamically connected by a circulating fluid. In the process of the invention, each of a bioreactor zone, solids ecoreactor zone and georeactor zone further comprise secondary subsystems and are cyclically connected by a series of recycle flows and organism movements to bioconvert the contained materials. The converted materials produced can be desirable and ecologically beneficial end products comprising gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor; a biologically active and highly beneficial humus material; and clean water which may be passed through a final wetlands polishing and biomonitoring system before discharge into a natural receiving water.

Abstract: A method of improving agricultural and horticultural crop yields utilizing a mixture comprising a water-soluble alkali metal salt of humic acid and a plant nutrient component including plant nutrients such as nitrogen and/or phosphorous and/or potassium. The addition of a liquid mixture comprising the plant nutrient component and a water-soluble alkali metal salt of humic acid to the growth medium or seed germination medium of agricultural or horticultural crops has demonstrated improved crop yields both in the size of the individual fruit and in the number of the fruit per plant.

Abstract: A method of improving agricultural and horticultural crop yields utilizing a mixture comprising a water-soluble salt of humic acid and either calcium phosphate or ascorbic acid. The addition of a liquid mixture comprising calcium phosphate or ascorbic acid and a water-soluble salt or humic acid to the growth medium or seed germination medium or agricultural or horticultural crops has demonstrated improved crop yields both in the size of the individual fruit and in the number of the fruit per plant.

Abstract: An agricultural granule capable of carrying and releasing incorporated biocidal or nutritional agricultural chemicals. The granule is formed by the agitative agglomeration of a plant fiber slurry and resembles a clay granule in all respects except for its chemical inertness.

Abstract: A novel process has been provided for the preparation of both a liquid peat extract substantially-free from biologically-undesirable concentrations of metal elements and compounds, and a solid peat residue substantially-free from biologically-undesirable concentration of metal elements and compounds. The process includes the first step of having specifically-recited physical and chemical properties, to a relatively mild acid hydrolyzation reaction under sterile controlled conditions at superatmospheric pressure at a temperature above the boiling point of water to a maximum elevated temperature of about 130.degree. C. for a time of from about 1 to about 2 hours in an inert container to provide a reacted medium comprising an aqueous liquid peat extract phase and a solid hydrolyzed peat phase dispersed therethrough. The pH of the reaction medium is then adjusted to near neutral. The neutralized reaction medium is removed from the inert container and is pressed and filtered in inert equipment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fertilizer and/or soil amendment containing L ascorbic acid, marine algae, and humic acid. The fertilizers may also contain nitrogen, phosphorous and/or potassium. The fertilizers and/or soil amendments may be produced in a solid form or a liquid form. The fertilizers have utility in promoting the growth of grass and plants. Methods of preparing the fertilizers and/or soil amendments are also described.

Abstract: Compost, e.g. hardwood bark, is rendered suppressive to plant pathogens, such as Rhizoctonia solani, Pythium ultimum and Fusarium, and/or diseases caused thereby by adding to the compost, desirably after peak heating has been achieved but before substantial recolonization of the compost by mesophilic microorganisms has occurred, one or more microorganisms antagonistic to the plant pathogen. Container media also is rendered suppressive to plant pathogens and/or diseases caused thereby by amending the media with the just-described prepared suppressive compost or, alternatively, by amending separately with the compost and with Trichoderma fungus and antagonistic bacterium separately or mixed together. Desirably, the inoculated antagonistic microorganisms comprise Trichoderma hamatum species A.T.C.C. No. 20765 or 20764, together with Xanthomonas maltophilia bacterium species A.T.C.C. No. 53199 or a Flavobacterium balustinum isolate 299, A.T.C.C. No. 53198 species, A.T.C.C. No. 53198.

Abstract: A composting facility comprising an elongated composting bay, a compost handling machine, and a ventilation system. The composting bay holds organic waste material while that material composts; and the compost handling machine is adapted to agitate the compost in, and to move the compost along, the bay. The ventilation system selectively conducts air into the compost, and this system includes a sensor, recessed in the bay, to actuate the ventilation system when the temperature of the compost rises above a preset value. Preferably, the temperature of the compost varies along the length of the bay, and the ventilation system includes a multitude of sensors to actuate the ventilation system to conduct air selectively into different sections of the bay to maintain a desired compost temperature profile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fertilizer and/or soil amendment containing L ascorbic acid, marine algae, and humic acid. The fertilizer and/or soil amendment may be produced in a solid form or a liquid form. The fertilizer has utility in promoting the growth of grass and plants. A method of preparing the fertilizer and/or soil amendment is also described.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an artificial soil, which has compound effects, and is used in a wide range, and is easy to handle, is obtained by mixing Shirasu, fine particles of fossils, pulverized organic materials and soil-aggregating agent powders, and a construction of a bed soil for a putting green having excellent drainage and water-holding property and fertilizer-holding property is obtained by forming the bed soil of an upper growth layer formed of the artificial soil formed of a mixture comprising Shirasu, fine particles of fossils, pulverized organic materials and soil-aggregating agent powders, sands and soils and a lower drainage-layer formed of sands or mainly comprising sands.

Abstract: A method for producing combined phosphorus fertilizer and soil conditioner in which phosphate rock and, as reaction matter, organic acidic matter are used. In a method according to the invention, the acidic mass is organic, for instance, bark waste, peat, waste fiber from a cellulose production plant or paper mill, sawdust or similar matter.

Abstract: Liquid micronutrient compositions are prepared by combining fulvic acid extracted from leonardite ore with a metal salt, a hydroxy acid and/or a hydroxy acid salt, and ammonia. The extract of leonardite ore is obtained by combination with a suitable chelant, while the subsequent combination with the metal salt and hydroxy acid/salt is accomplished in a heated aqueous medium. After allowing the desired metal chelates to form, the composition is combined with anhydrous ammonia, usually by sparging, to obtain a stable end product. The micronutrient compositions display enhanced plant uptake in both soil and foliar applications. Moreover, the compositions are particularly stable and suitable for application through drip irrigation systems.

Abstract: The growth medium consists of a homogeneous mixture of short rockwool fibres, and short vegetable fibres, preferably peat fibres. Humus material may be added, preferably composted sludge. To the mixture may also be added fertilizer, and seeds, e.g. grass seeds being bound to said fibres by a rapidly disintegrating binder.The method for producing said growth medium comprises intimately mixing long rockwool fibres, and vegetable fibres, preferably peat fibres, and possible additional materials in a dry state in a mixer until homogenous spheres or balls are formed which contain the components in a substantially uniform mixture, and cutting said spheres into short fibres by the aid of beating knives, a hammer mill or the like, and then conveying said medium to the growing site or to a packaging by the aid of an air jet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of increasing the harvest yield in plant cultivation, the soil being supplied with plant nutrient depots comprising a mixture of bark, and peat, preferably provided with plant nutrient substances (N,P,K) and trace substances, said mixture being composted which are pressed in an extruder press to achieve the formation of pellets and dried to a water content of about 10-15% by weight.

Abstract: To prepare an effective potting media from waste plant products, a mixture of high carbon and high nitrogen organic material is mixed with a phosphoric acid solution to maintain a pH of between 5.5 and 7.1 under aerobic conditions, with or without soil. Ground wheat straw or other high carbon plant materials and ground alfalfa hay or other high nitrogen plant materials are used in the preferred embodiment in ratios of between three parts ground wheat straw or other high carbon plant materials for each seven parts of ground alfalfa hay or other high nitrogen plant materials to seven parts ground wheat straw or other high carbon plant materials for each three parts ground alfalfa hay or other high nitrogen plant materials. The mixture of wheat straw and alfalfa hay has a pH in the range of 7.0 to 8.1. Phosphoric acid 0.04 M is added periodically for approximately one month if the pH of the mixture is higher than desirable for the plant type.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the development of mycorrhizae in the root system of a plant. A quantity of a nutrient mixture is applied to the outside surfaces of the foliage of a plant rooted in a growth medium containing propagules of a fungus capable of mycorrhizal infection of the roots, the nutrient mixture containing a source of nitrogen and a source of at least one other element selected from among potassium, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, boron, manganese, molybdenum, copper, and iron, in an aqueous vehicle. Such application is repeated at intervals over a period of time during which the supply of nutrients by fertilization is provided predominantly through such foliar application.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel fertilizer and method wherein a complex humic acid fertilizer is formed a mix of a select organic material, water, and measured amounts of major inorganic elements of nitrogen, phosphate, potash and sulfur. The constituents mixed in a sealed reactor system with a first material, usually an acid, are hydrolyzed by a drastic pH change, raising the mix temperature and pressure, and the mix is subsequently blended with a second material of an opposite pH to the first material, usually a base, reacting with the mix to provide a further temperature and pressure increase, to alter the pH to that of the finished fertilizer, which humic acid fertilizer is then dried and granulated or liquefied to a pumpable slurry.

Abstract: A method for producing combined phosphorus fertilizer and soil conditioner in which phosphate rock and, as reaction matter, organic acidic matter are used. In a method according to the invention, the acidic mass is organic, for instance, bark waste, peat, peat mud or waste fibre from a cellulose production plant or the solid component of communal sewage.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of compositions for modifying plant growth including extracting humic acids by the reacting of organic chelating agents with leonardite ore; compositions produced by such process; and methods for use thereof for modifying plant growth and fruiting.

Abstract: Process of manufacture of solid and liquid organic soil ameliorators characterized in that while stirring at between 20.degree. C. and 70.degree. C. an aqueous suspension of substance rich in organic matter is incorporated to a hydrocarbon based aqueous emulsion, the mixture obtained being, as necessary, filtered in order to remove excess water;Solid and liquid organic ameliorators constituted by an organic matter coated by 0.25 to 25% by weight hydrocarbon; applications for the improvement of soils for agricultural and horticultural cultivation, re-timbering and ballasting of oil tankers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a product from which compost can be suitably produced and which contains sludge obtained from a sewage purification process, in which method the sludge is mixed in a fluid state with a finely-divided carbon-carrier selected from the group sawdust, peat and bark, and with polyelectrolyte, and is then mechanically dewatered to a dry substance content of at least about 28 percent by weight.

Abstract: Compost is rendered suppressive to plant pathogens, such as Rhizoctonia solani, Pythium ultimum and Fusarium, and/or diseases caused thereby by adding to the compost, desirably after peak heating has been achieved but before substantial recolonization of the compost by mesophilic microorganisms has occurred, one or more microorganisms antagonistic to the plant pathogen. Desirably the inoculated antagonistic microoganisms comprise Trichoderma hamatum species A.T.C.C. No. 20765 or 20764, together with a Pseudomonas maltophilia bacterium species A.T.C.C. No. 53199 or a Flavobacterium species, A.T.C.C. No. 53198.

Abstract: In producing a mixed phosphatic fertilizer, humic acid is mixed with fused phosphate to cause the humic acid to react on alkaline ingredients of the fused phosphate for turning these alkaline ingredients into chelate compounds, so that water-soluble phosphoric acid contents of succeedingly added phosphatic fertilizers such as calcium superphosphate and calcium triple-superphosphate are not reduced or insolubilized by being reacted with such alkaline ingredients. Thus, unlike the prior art, a stabilized predetermined level of water-soluble phosphoric acid contents can be secured in the resultant mixed phosphatic fertilizer along with a predetermined level of citric acid-soluble phosphoric acid contents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing fertilizer from softwood bark and/or tree waste in which the softwood bark is decomposed at a temperature of 70.degree. . . . 140.degree. C., when the protective substances detrimental to plants can be eliminated. Bark or tree ash is added to the ground bark mass in high pressure along with urea and, if necessary, with phosphorus and the product is finally granulated. Peat is added to the bark mass at the first stage of the process in order to increase granulation capacity and nutrient storage capacity. The decomposition temperature depends on the age of the mass. All urea is added in the end of the process in order to avoid the danger of toxicity.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a method for stimulating growth in a foliage plant. The method comprises potting the plant in a conventional potting medium to which there has been added a humate which was previously associated with a titanium sand deposit. The disclosure is also of improved potting mediums for foliage plants, which include titanium sand deposit derived humate.

Abstract: A new method for preparation of organic compost by incorporating zeolite into excretions from domestic animals. In the method, zeolite of about 10 to 30% relative to the total weight of excretions is homogeneously mixed and then piled for a predetermined period so that the water content of a surface portion of the pile of the mixture decreases to about 25% by weight or less, and the average water content of the entire pile decreases to about 55% by weight or less. The piled mixture is then supplied to a fermentation vessel in which it is scooped and turned over such that a high water content portion inside the low water content surface portion is divided into small masses and the low water content surface portion is divided into fine powders, so that the fine powders are spread around the small masses to thereby achieve effective aerobic fermentation in the vessel.

Abstract: Substantially non-ionic polyacrylamide cross linked with a low amount of cross linking agent is used as an additive for a plant growth medium.

Abstract: It has been a problem to pellet seeds with inoculum of the beneficial VA mycorrhizal fungus. Hitherto, clay or soil pellets have been tried but they are difficult to adjust to a suitable moisture content and the pellets are too heavy, and there is a problem in placement of the seed so as to ensure that the radicle will grow through the pellet and thereby pick up the desired fungal infection. It has now been found that satisfactory pellets can be made using a mixture of peat, preferably sphagnum moss peat (instead of soil), together with a binder, seed and the VA mycorrhizal fungus, and that even when the pellet is dried considerably the inoculum retains infectivity for at least 6 months, using sphagnum moss peat. The composition in compacted, sowing unit, e.g. pellet, form and a method of growing plant from seed are claimed. The invention is useful for improving the condition of poor soil, e.g. filled-in gravel pits or coal mine spoil tips.

Abstract: A plant fertilizer composition comprises an admixture of particulate coal containing releasable plant nutrients, sodium molybdate for releasing said plant nutrients and auxiliary plant nutrient agents.

Abstract: Phosphorus uptake in plant tissues is increased by applying to immature plants, as a foliar spray, an aqueous composition consisting of a mixture of polyphosphates and activated carbon wherein the polyphosphates are selected from the group consisting of polyphosphoric acid, potassium polyphosphate and ammonium polyphosphate and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to the dewatering of naturally moist crude peat. In the method disclosed, dewatering is accomplished in stages. In the first stage, the peat is passed through a press (A) to produce an intermediate product which is passed to a filter press system (B) where the peat is further dewatered in at least two successive filter press chambers (11,13). In passage between the press chambers the peat is loosened and in the last dewatering stage (13) the peat is compacted. The resultant product can be handleable and transportable with minimal risk. In addition to being largely independent of weather and temperature, the method is considerably more economical than previous processes which were inefficient in terms of time and/or energy consumption.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing compost and composting compositions having a high nitrogen content and being particularly advantageous for use as fertilizers, said process utilizing petroleum sludge and an organic biomass which preferably contains wood industry residue and organic waste products.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fertilizer composition which comprises coal ash, and a relatively water insoluble polymer capable of gradually decomposing to slowly release nitrogen polymerized uniformly on said coal ash. The polymer is formed by the in situ polymerization of an aldehyde and a polymerizable organic nitrogen containing compound capable of reacting with two or more equivalents of said aldehyde in the presence of an acid. The coal can be fly ash, bottom ash or boiler slag and can be derived from anthracite, bituminous or subbituminous coal or from lignite coal. The acid can be phosphoric acid, the aldehyde formaldehyde and the polymerizable organic nitrogen containing compound urea.

Abstract: Peats, mucks, soils, anaerobic sludges, lignites and other humus materials containing humic substances are slurried in the natural wet state with additional water at low pH to free humic acid from salts it may have formed in the natural state and to disperse the humic acid as a fine suspension in the water. The resulting slurry is then screened to remove coarse material such as stones, fibers and cellulosic materials that may be present, and the liquid phase compromising a dispersion of humic acid is settled or otherwise treated to remove heavy inorganic fines if present. The dispersion is then filtered to yield a relatively pure and dry filter cake, comprising crude humic acid. This product may be converted to soluble humate salts by adding a solubilizing agent such as sodium hydroxide, separating residual insolubles and drying the concentrated solution.