Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-01-09
WAR HAS CAUSED
FERTILIZERS To
BECOME SCARCE
Secretary Houston Takes a
Gloomy View Of Prospects
Before American Farmer
for the Coming Season.

~ ~ossisa Journal srfcisl tettfp ~tafi
Washington. Jam. "a gloomy
view Of prospects for fetlilizlng next
yeDrs crops IL presented in state
ment issued today by Secretary lious-
ton. the department Of agriculture.
Relief measures undertaken by the
department since the European war
disrupted the American phosphate In
dustry and cut off potash imports
from Germany Will help. the state
ment says. but they offer slim posi-
bilities that the American farmer viii
get a small part Of the fertilizlng ma.
tcrials necessary for his needs. Nj
trogenous fertilizers alone Will be
available In the quantities needed
The secretary takes up first the pot
ash supply. long since exhausted in
the United states by the German en-
barge on shipments. Investigation.
says his statement, has shown four
sources Of supply In this country, but
none Immediately available. These
are the klein Of the Pacific coast. alu-
mite deposits In Utah. fcldspathic
focks in th. east and the mud Of
Searles lake, carr.
Manufacture from feldspaf has
F''N fiHl1 ~ Nv ifATiDby Duk Ahr
cost IL high Development OF Searlcs
lake deposits presents technical diff
fculties and title TO the property Is
invoked. Manufacturers are exper-
imentinR now, the statement says.
with nlunite. kelp IL offered as the
best material. Three large concerns
have begun manufacture from kelp
ana government experts will be sent
TO the Pacific coast TO aid In the ex-
pcrimental work.
Production viii be slow for long
time, the secretary points out and
demand for potash IA other industries
is 40 great that none manufactured in
the United states viii be available
soon for agricultural purposes. His
statement says
Difficulties In WAY.
THE prices offered under existing
conditions By the Manufacturers OF
articles viii cause practically the en-
tire output Of these concerns TO be
Diverted from the fertilizer industry,
II would require ninety or more
plants. costing approximately $4,000
and having an operating capital ~
$4,000 each. 20 produce the quantity
needed for agriculture This would
involve the assumption that CONNER
cinl phases Of the problem were sat
isfactorily solved The department
il considering all phases OF the sit
eailon."
The crippled state Of the phosphate
industry ls attributed 10 the high
i,e ~ sr!phtric acid much Of
which In being used now in the man
ufao.urc of wnr munitions The price
has Jumped from s. 60 SIS a ton. De-
mand for the acid Is 40 heavy that
abandoned plants are being refitted
for It's manufacture. The bureau Of
soils meanwhile is experimenting with
the manufacture Of phosphorie acid
as a substitute for suIphuric
Nitrate prices have advanced since
the war hogan. but there iH an album
dant supply Of heterogeneous fcrtiiizing
material. and the department Is en-
deavoring 10 find methods TO cheaper
the Gust Of manufacture. The secrc-
tary concludes with warning TO
farmers 10 conserve all fcrtilizing ma
terials on the farm. lie urges crop
rotation. proper use of fertilizers and
also use OF lime TO increase produce
tiNity Of the soil.