The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1914-10-02
REMEDIES FOR POTASH
SHORTAGE


Various suggestions have been made
In regard to the steps to be taken by
farmers in reference to the shortage
OF Potash in their fertilizers, caused
by the greatly reduced shipments OF
Potash from Germany since the first
or August. Most of the Fertilizer COM
panies have ~endeavored to make the
Potash on hand go as far as possible
by selling for the present brands. Of
complete fertilizers containing only z
or 3 per cent of Potash and withhold
ing from sale brands containing larger
amounts.
h suggestion that some or all OF
the Potash be replaced by phosphorlc
acid Is absurd, for every schoolboy
Knows that one plant food cannot take
the place of another. There are some
indirect fertilizers, such as lime, gyp-
sum n salt that can release a limit
ed amount Of Potash from some SOILS
that contain hydrated silicates OF Alu-
nina and Potash. But If these soils
have already been treated with lime
or have received repeated dressings
OF the usual forms of fertilizer con
tanning soluble phosphate with its &C
companying gypsum, then the Potash
In the hydrated silicates has to a large
extent already been replaced and the
use of more lime or gypsum or salt
could not be expected to release much
additional Potash. Ground limestone
or oyster shells act too slowly to be
used as Potash r~eleasers.
The residue of soda left in the sol
by nitrate Of soda Is more effective II
releasing Potash than is gypsum ant
hence goods, in which the nitrogen j.
largely In the form Of nitrate Of soda
may have a special value in the pres
ent emergency.
1t is often stated that %decaying OF
ganic matter releases Potash from tn,
soil, but there seems to be nc direc
evidence of this. On the contrary
DR.. S. Peacock states in the American
Fertilizer Of Sept. 5, 1914, "Severa
thoroughly competent researches hav
shown that dAea7ing organic matte
has little affect on converting liner
S-LcIdI plduI lOOu III the SUI III
available form"
In any soil the amount of Potas
capable of being released by these il
direct means is a very small fractio
of the total Potash in the soil, mos
Of which exists in a form about a
soluble as window glass. There is n
known profitable method for rende,
ing this inert Potash of the soil avail
able fast enough to provide for prof
able crops. Whatever temporary e.
pedients we may employ in the pre-
ent emergency, we must keep in min
that the Potash thus removed frol
the semi-available soil reserves mu:
later be replaced if we are to mai
tain the soils productiveness.
There is danger in the statemeI
that farmers have been using an e
cess of Potash. Crops use on the a
erage about two and one-half times
much Potash as phosphoric acid, viii
the average fertilizer sold contain
only half as much Potash as pho
phoric acid; yet no one claims tn
, We are using too much phosphor
acid. The Potash remaining from pr
vious fertilization is practically not
ing except in the limited areas whe.
a ton or more of fertilizer has be-
used per acre IN truck crops. We.
rarely is half as much Potash appIi,
. to the wheat, oats, corn or cotton crt
4 as the crop removes.
The Potash mines are SO numeror
and the stocks on hand so large tn
R supplies can be promptly sent Il
ward, as soon as European conditiot
d permit freight shipments to be ]
u sumed.