Trees calcium requirements

Many processes in nature require such a fine pH balance that they are dramatically upset by the shift that has occurred in the pH of rain. Thousands of lakes in the Adirondack region of upper New York State and in southeastern Canada have become so acidic that all fish life has disappeared. Massive tree die-offs have occurred throughout central and eastern Europe as acid rain has lowered the pH of the soil and leached nutrients from leaves. Countless marble statues have been slowly dissolved away as their calcium carbonate has been attacked by acid rain. 

You will see on the walls the well-known acetylene tree diagram. This shows the wide range of products that can be made from calcium carbide and are made elsewhere - alas, not here - alcohol, acetaldehyde, acetic acid, ether, acetone, ethylene, the vinyl products, solvents, plastics, artificial silk, resins, rubbers. .. Calcium carbide is the only substance which provides these indispensable commodities without requiring one ton of shipping. It is the only route by which they can be made without adding a penny to our already unfavourable balance of trade. It is the only material which costs neither blood nor treasure in war time. .. Our imports of calcium carbide were last year about 70,000 tons. They are increasing. ... 

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