The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-09-07
FERTILIZERS.


The manufacturers of fertilizers at Sa-
vannah have very little TO complain of as
a result of their past seasons business
just ended, for although the total
business done in the state of Georgia
shows a decrease of p per cent, as com
pared with last year 100000 tons sold this
year, as against 425,000 tons lasO, Savan-
nah manufacturers have not only held
their own. but in some instances have
actually increased the volume OF
their business. This has only been
accomplished by hard work and
good judgment in buying their supplies Of
crude material early in the season al the
lowest market prices
The business done has been to a large
extent at the sacrifice of prices, which
have ruled at an average of 81 per ton
reduction as compared with the season
ending Sept l, 1898. This reduction in price
was caused not by material being made
cheaper during the past season, as com
pared with last as the prices of material
ruled about the same, but on account OF
the low prices the farmers received for
their cotton in the season of 1883. com
pelling them to use less fertilizer than
formerly, not only in this state, but also
in Carolina, Florida and Alabama; this
cuFtailment of the demand caused the
manufacturers of fertilizers to cut their
prices for fear of carrying over stocks.
CoIlections,in the fall of 1898 were better
than expected at one time; with anything
like a fair price for cotton they should be
good this fail, as more care than usual
has been exercised in extending credits.
The three factories located at Savannah,
have combined product of about 100000
tons when run to their full capacities;
fertilizers are also handled to a consid-
cradle extent by the cotton factors in Sa-
vannah, most of them being supplied by
the local manufacturers.
Savannah's proximity to the rock fields
of Carolina and Florida places her in posi-
ton TO manufacture fertilizers on as close
a margin as her competitors, and enables
her to control a large proportion of the
territory adjacent to Savannah, but the
high freights on the manufactured pro
duct render the margin very close when
goods are sold in competition with inte-
rior factories.
The outlook for the coming seasons bust
ness at this time is not very satisfactory,
and is not likely to improve, unless there
should be a material advance in the price
of cotton. The price of phosphate rock
which is the basis of all fertilizers, has
aovarced considerably as compared with
the same time last year. The price of am
moniates is also up, and as manufacturers
generally had very little stock carried over
from last year, they are compelled to buy
suit in higher prices for the manufac-
tured product the coming season, but this
will be difficult TO get. So far as the price
of phosphate rock is concerned it is be-
lieved that 1t has reached its maximum;
TIE advance was caused not only by the
large demand in this country but by very
heavy exports to Europe, the total move
ment for six months this year being Co.,
coo tons as against 100000 tons last. The
price of this material is expected
to decline as soon as Europe
begins TO feel the effect of the Algerian
shipments, French company being I'M
der contract with the French govern
ment to mine and ship 100000 tons of rock
per annum, all of which viii naturally
seek a market at European ports. This
work is now being placed on the market
The following table will show the prices
received for the different grades of fer
tilizers for the season:
Ammoniated fertilizer, analysis SGD,
S13.25 to $14.25, time basis; caid phosphate,
u per cent. guarantee, $3.50 to $780, acid
phosphate, 101a per cent. guarantee, $500 TO
5000.
The above prices were realized only
where small quantities were purchased,
there being a slight reduction where
large quantities were desired, but in as
much as the bulk of the trade consisted
in sales in small lots, prices on the total
output varied very little from the above
quotations.
The following tables show how the
transportation of fertilizers was dlstrib-
uted:
Shipments of fertilizers from Savannah
during season of 1S98-99:
Central of Georgia Railway Co.6S,S98 tons
Georgia and Alabama Railway II, O4O tons
Plant System ......................ll ,669 tons
Florida Central and p. Ry...... l. 400 tons
d; gpo
Total shipments .................96,O27 tons
Total shipments 1898 $3.50 tons
Total shipments 1867 ..........96,9l9 tons