Charlotte home and Democrat., 1882-01-27
AGRICULT q R A l..
The Trade in Fertilizers.
n. G.. AG. EXPERIMENT STATION,
Raleigh, Jan. 18th, 1882.


Raleigh, Jan. 18th, 1882.
A little over $4,000 tons of fertilizers
were sold in North Carolina last year.
The returns are not all in, but 1t Is evil
dent that there was considerable increase
in the sales over the year before, IN spite
of the difficulties in transportation last
Spring, which prevented many farmers
from getting all they wanted. The
average cash price of the simple acid phos-
phate was $1,000. The average cash
price of the ammoniated phosphate was
$4O.3O. The average cash price of all
kinds was, therefore, 1855 per ton.
Supposing cash had been paid for the
81, 1000 tons, the total amount paid by our
farmers for fertilizers would have been
three million, twenty-one thousand, seven
hundred and fifty dollars. Since, how
ever, about twice as much ammoniated
goods were sold as acid phosphates, the
more correct cash value of fertilizers
bought by our people would have been
about three millions, two hundred thou
sand dollars. But how many farmers
paid cash for their fertilizers? As far as
can ascertain, hardly one-tentb of them.
In the cotton country not one-twentieth
of them. Deducting one-tenth, though,
paid for in cash, we have seventy six
thousand and five hundred tons paid for
at the rate of 425 lbs of middling cotton
in November for ammoniated phosphates
and 500 lbs. for acid phosphates. At IL
cents per lb. this is $33 for the acid phos-
pilates and $46.75 for the ammoniated
phosphate per ton. Supposing that the
tobacco men pay for time at the same
rate as the cotton men, we have three
million, two hundred and sixty-6ve thou
sand dollars as the round sum paid by the
nine-tenths who buy on the credit sy stem.
Or adding the amount paid by the one
tenth cash men, we have the grand total
paid by the State for fertilizers as about
three million, six hundred thousand
dollars.
Thus for six months time upon pur-
chases, worth three million, two hundred
thousand dollars last May, our farmers
paid four hundred thousand dollars, which
is equal TO an interest Of 25 per cent per
annum.
This is but an illustration of the work
ings of the credit system pursued by our
farmers throughout the whole country.
The great majority of them get every
thing they buy from their commission
ulcICHanCS upou dUOuL Cne sdue ttTHs.
During the Summer, when bacon is worth
cents a pound, they get it from their
commission merchants for a pound of cot
ton in the Fall. 1t is not surprising that
many 60 down under this system, mort
gage first their crops and then their lands,
until finally they become the vassals of
their merchants upon the land, which
they themselves once owned. 1t is rather
to be wondered at that SO many prosper
under such a system. 1t is prosperous
agriculture, indeed, that can sustain such
drain.
Although I believe that the use of good
phosphates upon our staples, cotton and
tobacco, is proven to be eminently ad.
vantageous, let me implore farmers not to
be tempted by this possibility of gain to
buy more of them than they can certainly
and easily pay for, in the event of poor
crop. Let them rather buy just what
they can pay cash for. Some manufac-
turers, who pay the State tax and submit
their goods to examination, specially so
licit such trade. Let them utilize further
every available home material and make
their own manure.
If all the cotton seed, stable manure,
straw, Sc, are carefully husbanded, they
will be found to 60 long way. These
with Acid Phosphate and Kainite, which
are still reasonably cheap, will make ex'
cellent composts.
will give some illustrations of excel,
lent homemade Fertilizers in future
Bulletin. CHAs. w. DABNEY,
Director of Ex. Station