Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-01-19
SEEK SOLUTION
(Continuod from Paoe O,.,

placed, on boron in any form. honir.
avoid repetition Of the unfor,u,..
experience Of last season.
1T IL realized that traces Of s,..
are likely to occur In some Of N.
gradients Of commercial fertilizer o,,S
than potash, but the department y
issuing the ruling. hoped to secur. :.
the farmers Of Maine a fertiliz., w
free from boron as It 10 physically ~.
sible to produce.
Ever since the ruling was issued 4.
ferent fertilizer companies, reprs.,,.,
through officers Of the National r.ru
izer Association. have made ins,st.s
demands that the ruling be modis.d ;.
revoked, recommending in most en-.
that the ruling Of the department, n
made to conform to the ruling Of T.
federal government. which in effect !
that bosax may be used in comme,.I
the only safe position to take
I'VE were called to Washington 4,
expressed the same opinion as N.
Eighteen states were represented IN.
where damage had occurred from h
tilizer.
1.-THE companies have now appeaIed
Governor Miiiiken. asking for
ference. with the possibility of mod
ing the ruling Of the agricultural
partment or to call a special sess,o,
the Legislature for revision Of
Statute. to eliminate the objectiona1
language. as they are claiming M
cannot and will not ship conmerI
fertilizer into Maine with the situsf,
fertilizer in amounts up to LILO Of !,
cent. without stating the fact on l
label and in excess of that ar1ount
statement indicating the quantity NV
be made.
several conferences have been ASK
by the fertilizer companies and h
at the department Of agriculture. Til
far no change has been made in
ruling issued on Nov. II. 1919, tic n
partment holding to this position ".
the belief that with numerous casI
where damage had been caused ny "a
use Of commercial fertilizer. that il vi
as 1t IL. The department is still s,.1I
ing firm in its position"
Governor Miiiiken said that lie hai 4
ceived the request of the fertilizer con|
panies for conference. understanig|
that they are to request special scJ
sion for revision Of the fertilizer laws
He most certainly wishes the farms:
Of Maine represented and on sa,url.y
had notified representatives Of all ia
farmers' organizations and individual,
requesting them to come III person o. ::
write their views.
The governor said Il has resolved !.
self into q question whether the farm
ers will stick to a perfectly prope
technical ruling or are willing 10 taS
a chance with low percentage of q
ron. in view Of the companies thrra
to stop doing business in Maine. I; ,
his desire to serve their interests i
the best possible manner and waste
them present or represented-to sn
their advice as to what to do.
From 10000 to 10000 tons of 'ar
tilIser are used annually in Maine an
the average price per ton is So At iii,
time Of year. under ordinary circuii
stances. about one-third OF the supp!
for the year is in the hands of the cor
sumner. No shipments of fertilizer hay
been SO far made to Maine and aah..
emily the fertilizer companies are mas
ing no deliveries. 1t is important, therF
fore, that some arrangement be ma ta
that the fertilizer may be received &
as to-be hauled while the snoT is Oh
the ground.