The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-07-16
Potash. Injury
Trouble Traced to Trona Potash

Clemson College, July 8.-Clemson
College authorities have Investigated
the potash situation which has given
trouble in the Pee Dee section, and
have traced the matter to its source
in the use of Trona Potash. which con-
tains impurities injurious to crops.
I Mr.. Bright Williamson, a prominent
banker and farmer Of Darlington. and
John NJ. Napier. county agent Of Dar-
lington county found trouble with pot
ash in that county recently and re-
ported the matter to Clemson College.
Prof. c. P. Blackwell, agronomist.
went Immediately to Darlington and
Florence counties where they met
Dr. w. w. Garner, chief OF the Office
of tobacco and plant nutrition inves-
legations. The three studied the sit
uation in the fields of Darlington.
Florence, and Dillon counties.
They agreed that the very erratic
seasons have caused poor crop condl-
tons in parts of Florence county
which some have erroneously attrib-
uted to potash. In Darlington county,
however where Trona Potash from
Searl Lake, California, purchased
through a Charleston broker, was
used. very serious injuries were OBJ
served on a number Of farms.
The Clemson and government ex-
perts were convinced from field ex-
animation that this Trona Potash il
responsible for the trouble. Thousands
of acres of crops in Darlington 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 indiscrimnately condemned along
with this one source.
Director Barre announces that eX-
periments will begun at once at the
Pee Dee Station to obtain all possible
information on the effect of this ma
terial on plant growth. Further study
will be made in Darlington fields to
assist farmers in securing data upon
which to base claims for damages.
These Investigations will be reported
as soon as the data is available. The
legal aspects Of the case will be con-
sidered by the Board of Fertilizer Con-
troll
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
matter
Late in June Director H w. Barre
Of the South Carolina Experiment Sta
ton attended potato conference on
Long Island to examine tests of all
sources Of domestic potach. Trona
potash showed marked injury to po-
tato plants. and the conference de-
veloped the fact that similar trouble
was being experienced in North Caro-
| lima with cotton, tobacco and corn
Similar trouble seems to have been ex-
| perienced in several localities along
| the Atlantic coast
For the guidance of farmers Prof
Blackwell gives the field symptoms as
| IolloWS. III tHe Cast ol CollOH anu
corn termination is retarded or pre-
vented. Soon after plants which dc
germinate are above ground they
/ turn white or yellow and die. Tobac-
co when transplanted turns light and
soon dies. The roots arc found to be
undeveloped and mauy dead. The
| trouble is worse where tobacco beds
have been knocked down. as this
brings the roots in closer contac,
with the poisonous substances With
all crops the trouble is worse or
light sandy soils than on heavier soils