The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1916-01-07
SMALL PROSPECT
FOR FERTILIZERS
SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE
TAKES GLOOMY VIEW.
Farmers. Should Conserve Material at
Home-RotatiOn of Crops is
Uurged by Houston.

Washington, Jan. 3.-A gloomy view
of prospects for fertilizing next years
crops is presented in statefent is
sued today by Secretary Houston OF
the department of agriculture.
Relief measures undertaken by the
department since the European, war
disrupted the American phosphate in
6ustry and cut off potash imports
from Germany will help, the state
ment says, but they offer slim pos
sibilities that the American farmer
will get a small part of the fertilizing
materials necessary for his needs.
Nitrogenous 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 Those are
the kelp of the Pacific coast, alunite
deposits in Utah, feldspathic rocks in
the East and the mud Of Searles lake,
California
Manufacture from feldspar has
been found to be feasible, but the cost
is high. Developments of Searles lake
deposits presents technical difficulties
and title to the property is involved.
Manufacturers are experimenting now,
the statement says, with alunite, Kelp
is offered as the best material. Three
large concerns have begun manufac-
ture from kelp and government ex-
nelts will be sent to the Pacific coast
to aid in the experimental work.
Production will be slow for long
time the secrc cary points out, and
demand fer potash in other industries
is so great tina tnone manufactured in
IN the United States will be available
soon fer agricultural purposes. His
statement says:
"Tne prices offered under existing
conditions by the manufacturers Of
articles will cause practically the en-
tire output Of these concerns to be
diverted from the fertilizer industry.
1t would require 80 or more plants,
costing approximately $4,000 and haT-
ing an operating capital of $4,000
each, to produce the quantity needed
for agriculture This would involve
the assumption that commercial
phases Of the problem were satisfac-
torily solved. The department is con-
sidering all phases of the situation. "
The crippled state of the phosphate
| industry is attributed to the high price
of sulphuric acid, much of which IS
being used now in the manufacture OF
war munitions. The price has jumped
from $5 to s25 a ton. Demand for the
acid is so heavy that abandoned plants
are being reftted for its manufacture
The bureau of soils meanwhile IS ex-
perimenting with the manufacture OF
phosphoric acid as substitute for
sulphuric.
Nitrate prices have advanced since
the war began, but there is an abund-
ant supply of nitrogenous fertilizing
material, and the department is en-
deavoring to find methods to cheaper
the cost of manufacture. The secre-
tary concludes with warning to farm
ers to conserve all fertilizing materials
on the farm. He urges crop rotation,
proper use of fertilizers and also use
of lime to increase productivity OF the
soil