Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-01-21
Fertilizer Conference
,continved from PAGE One)

Fertilizer Conference
CONTINUED from Page one)
lie BY compounds Of boron: also there
has been a ruling by the agricultural
department that no boron can be al
lowed; the compaAies say they cannot
furnish fertilizer without some boron:
and finally, the fertilizer for Maine
should be shipped in promptly. There
fore, I hope this discussion will bring
about . solution of the difficulty.
Frank Morrison, Bangor
Frank Morrison Of Corinth and Ban
gor. Am engaged in tbs fertilizer
business. but asked for this meeting for
welfare Of citizens of the State. Atten-
ZION has been called to fact no fertilizer
is arriving in State. Why? Want to
find cause and remedy it. As fertili-
ger manufacturer, my interests are very
close to the farmers. Farmer depends
on crops crops on fertility of soil and
fertilizer increases fertility. If fertili-
ger is cut of. where will We land?
Or. Charles q. Woods, Bangor
Agricultural Experiment Station said
much trouble was caused in Aroostook
with potato plant by fertilizer. Was in
Vestigated by US. Visited the fields.
You who have not seen. can hardly pic
ture it, in July. Samples Of fertilizer
were taken to Orono and examined.
One foreign material not usually found
in fertilizer was found-boron in form
of borax. Experiments were made with
these fertilizers at the station with
plants. beans and potatoes, under SIM
Mar conditions as used by the farmers
These fertilizers carry from 1-3 Of
10 to 2 Of anhydrous borax. In no case
did the potatoes flourish.
The borax is not there through any
will Of the manufacturer. We had dur
ing the war to depend on an American
potash and the boron came in every
case from that. The United States gov
eminent first said that - pounds to the
ton was permissible but has now modi-
fed that to two pounds per ton.
This whole boron problem is a new
owe. forced on us by the accident OF
last GEAR. We have no data on it and
Ike experiments at Orono are all we
have to go on and they are by no means
complete and thorough. We expect ex-
tensive experiments to begin soon at
the Vermont station. When we get
those results. however. they may not
help much, for I am sure that the fer
tniser Of next year will have no borax.
The Searls lake potash will not be used
By the manufacturers.
DR.. Wood outlined the source and
manufacture of the potash in making
fertilizer. showing the per cent Of
borax.
In every instance Of damage last year,
the fertilizer carried either the Searls
lake potash or nitrate Of potash, or
both. and each Of these carried quite an
amount Of borax. The nitrate is there
fore the material that fear for this
year.
The commissioner OF agriculture In
his ruling explained as the understand
ing Of the Maine law. 1t has also been
explained to the companies that the
Experiment Station can detect only 0S
-cs or possibly /. of boron. which IS
practically what the United States gov
eminent recognizes.
Now there will probably be some
horax in this years fertilizer. The
Searls lake people have purified, their
potash to of 10 of boron and will lat
er get it lower
congratulate Maine in having this
'deleterious material clause in its law.
X is the best law in existence No
other northeastern state has such r
Jaw. II is great protection.
don't understand The manufac-
'urers' attitude and why they are turn
ing down this million-dollar business
for the law is Just the same as that
under which they have been doing bust
ueSs.
W. J. Thompson. South China
w. J. Thompson of South China. mas
Ter Of the State Grange. We are also
anxious that the farmers be protected
and hear and feelth this matter must
!e settled by some sort of compromise
between the department of agriculture
and the chemists. Perhaps some Of this
icdy gathered here can get together and
agree on some plan for settling this
ears action. .e
Tic Governor asked an expression as
q calling special session.
Mr.. Morrison said he favored calling
y special session. Also agreed with Mr..
Thon pson and thinks this years plan of
action should he arranged.
This boron child is with US and with
10 visible means of support 1t has
been with us all the time. but we didn't
know H. We shall use no Searls lake
'.ctash We mean to serve the farmers
best We can, but cannot manufacture
fertilizer without boron and the law is
up and down" on that point
Matthew c. Morrill,, Gray
Ex-senator Matthew c. Morrill, If
Cray. Cumberland County We are IN
against a hard proposition. The law
says plainly so and so and the boron
question came upon US as a great sur
prise. 1t is difficult to say what the So
luton may be. 1t will need much con-
si6eration and thought. To change the
law will require an extra session?
Cox. Miililsen. 1t would This law Is
about 10 years old.
Charles p. Barnes, HouIton
Charles 2. Barnes of Houlton. One
pure food and drug act is closely inter-
woven with the pure feeds and pure
commercial fertilizer act and Under the
former a wonderful increase Of length
of life has been gained and under latter
we are approaching the Golden Rule