The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1919-07-17
POTASH INQUIRY BY CLEMSON
SHOWS WHERE THE TROUBLE is

Clemson College, July 16-Clem.
son College authorities have investi-
gated the potash situation which has
given trouble in the Pee Dee section,
and have traced the matter to it's
source in the use of Trona Potash,
which coptains impurities injurious
to crops.
Mr.. Bright Williamson, a promi-
nent banker and farmer of Darling
ton, and John M. Napier, County
Agent of Darlington County, found
trouble with potash in that county re-
Gently and reported the matter to
Clemson College. Prof. c. P. Black
well, Agronomist, and Mr.. j. l.. Seal,
Plant Pathologist, went Immediately
to Darlington and Florence Counties
where they met DR.. w. W. Garner,
Chief of the Office, of tobacco
and Plant Nutrition investi-
cations. The three studied
the situation in the fields of Darling
ton, Florence and Dillon Counties.
They agreed that the very erratic
seasons have caused poor crop condi-
tions in parts of Florence County
which some have enormously attrib-
uted to potash. In Darlington Coun-
ty, however, where Trona Potash
from Scarf Lake, California, purchas-
ed through Charleston broker, was
used, very serious injuries were OBJ
served on number of farms.
The Clemson and Government ex-
perts were convinced from field cx-
animation that this Trona Potash is
responsible for the trouble. Thou
sands of acres of crops in Darling
ton have been destroyed.
Other sources of American potash
have given good results so far as in
vestigations show. Since nearly all
the soils of the Coastal Plains section
of the state are in need of potash, it
would be unfortunate to have all pot
ash indiscriminately condemned along
with this one source
Director Barre announces that eX-
pcriments will be begun at the Pee
Dee Station to obtain all possible in
formation on the effect of this ma
terial on plant growth. Further study
will be made in the Darlington fields
to assist farmers in securing data
upon which to base claims for dam
ages. These Investigations will be re-
ported as soon as the data is available.
Legal aspects of the case will be con-
sidered by the Board of Fertilizer
Control.
There has probably been injury to
crops from this same source in other
sections of the state, and if farmers
think they have this trouble they
should consult their county agents, all
of whom have been posted about the
q matter.
Late in June Director II. w. Barre,
4 of the S. c. experiment Station, at
H tended a potato conference on Long
d Island to examine tests of all sources
4 of domestic potash. Trona potash
showed marked injury to potato
h plants, and the conference develops
the fact that similar trouble was be-
E ing experienced in North Carolina
4 with cotton, tobacco and corn. Simi-
h lar trouble seems to have been cX-
y perienced in several localities along
a the Atlantic coast.
H For the guidance of farmers Prof.
4 Blackwell gives the field SYMPTOMS as
follows: In case Of cotton and corn
termination is retarded or prevented.
Soon after plants which do germinate
! are above ground, they turn white or
yellow and die. Tobacco where trans
planted turns light and soon dies. The
/, roots are found to be undevclopcd
4 and many dead. The trouble is
81 worse where tobacco beds have heen
81 knocked down, as this brings the roots
u in closer contact with the poisonous
! substances. With all crops the trou-
n Bile : worse on light sandy soils than
" on hravicr soils