Potash is still an important plant fertilizer, one of the main three supplements added to soil. Knowing when to add potash to plants and how much takes a lot of experimentation alone and depends on the soil type and crops grown, but luckily, experts have figured out much. They should be consulted if and when you have the opportunity.
How to Make Potash
The first patent in the United States was issued on July 31, 1790, to Samuel Hopkins for a process of making
potash, which was used in the manufacture of soap, glass, and fertilizer. The patent number was X000001. Samuel Hopkins process of making potash involved the following steps:
1. Collecting wood: Hopkins collected wood, preferably hardwoods like oak, hickory, or maple. The wood was harvested in late autumn, when the sap had gone down and the bark was easily removed.
2. Burning the wood: Hopkins piled the wood into a large mound, called a “clapboard heap,” and set it on fire. The heap was covered with straw and dirt to reduce the amount of oxygen that could reach the wood.
3. Dousing the fire: After several days, the fire would burn itself out. Hopkins then doused the heap with water to extinguish any remaining embers.
4. Removing the ash: Once the heap had cooled, Hopkins removed the ash from the bottom of the pile. He sifted the ash to remove any large pieces of charred wood or debris.
5. Leaching the potash: Hopkins placed the ash in a large wooden vat or barrel and poured water over it. The water dissolved the potash and other minerals in the ash, creating a strong, lye-like solution.
6. Boiling the lye: Hopkins transferred the lye to an iron kettle and boiled it over an open fire. As the water evaporated, the lye thickened and concentrated.
7. Curing the potash: Hopkins poured the concentrated lye into wooden molds to cool and harden. Once the potash had cured, he removed it from the molds and stored it in a dry place.
8. Selling the potash: Finally, Hopkins sold the potash to local farmers, who used it as a fertilizer to enrich their soil.