The dispatch-news. [volume] (Lexington, S.C.) 1919-2001, 1922-12-06
Forecasting
Shortage of
Fertilizers
!. ~: and Poisons
INVESTIGATIONS INDICATE
SCARCITY OF CHEMICAL
FERTILIZERS AND CALCIUM
ARSENATE FOR COTTON
PLANTERS IN 1923.

From the most authentic sourc-
es OF information It appears that
there will unquestionably be
shortage of chemical fertilizers.
ammoniates, and only a
limited quantity of calcium arse
nate to meet the needs Of the cot
ton growers for 1928. This will
be exceedingly unfortunate as cot
ton cannot be profitably grown
east OF the Mississippi river with
out liberal fertilization Of the land,
d. and poisons must be had in abund-
ant quantity for widespread and
effective boil weevil control.
1t seems that u large supply of
the ammoniates heretofore manu-
featured and distributed into the
cotton belt is now being diverted to
California. South America has
been furnishing large supplies OF
nitrates to the United States, but
1t is now being exported In heavy
quantities to European countries.
The failure of the cotton growers
to purchase their usual supplies Of
ammoniateS and other fertilizers in
1921 and 1922 has compelled the
importers and manufacturers Of
these chemicals to seek other mar
kets. Many of the large and
smaller fertilizer companies doing
business in the cotton belt suffered
such heavy losses. Or were forced
to carry so many unpaid obliga-
tions for their customers, that they
are financially unable to manufac-
ture goods on q very extended
basis in order to supply a heavily
increased demand.
Economy in. the use of CONNER
cial fertilizers during the past two
years has convinced the growers
that continuation of such poll
cies under boil weevil conditions is
unwlse and Improbable. 1t has
been convincingly demonstrated in
the past two years that in the old
cotton states at least liberal ferti-
liSation for cotton Is absolutely es-
sentiai If the crop is to be has
tened to maturity and a profitable
yield Of lint per acre is to be Sc
cured ahead Of the disastrous in
festation OF the weevils during the
iinigratory flight OF the insects
after July 18th each year. Land
that will not produce half q bale
iof seed cotton per acre under the
heavy expense OF weevil control
methods is hardly worth the cost
and time OF planting and cultive-
Stion.
CALCIUM ARSENATE ALREADY
SCARCE AND HIGH IN PRICE
Arsenate is said to be q by
product of the smelter plants and
that the supplies of that material
have been practically exhausted.
Arsenic can be manufactured from
other sources and can be imported
from foreign countries. The ne
cessity for calcium arsenate in
large quantity is so urgently need
ed for the cotton growers next
year that steps must at once be
taken in the different states to in
sure a reasonably plentiful supply
OF that poison. Prices for both
poisons and ammoniates have rap
idly advanced in the past thirty
days. Calcium arsenate is al
ready so per cent higher than a
year ago.
The American Cotton Associa-
tion 'waged an active campaign at
Washington during the passage
OF: the recent tariff Bill and aided
In securing an elimination of the
tariff proposed on the importation
OF raw arsenic from the schedule.
This will save the growers many
thousands Of dollars in the pur-
chase Of imported arsenates and
the American manufactured prod
'uct. The Association several
months ago called upon leading
Senators and congressman and the
Secretary Of the United States De-
partment of Agriculture to secure
legislation by which the Federal
Government could take charge of
the matter OF securing the manu-
facture and distribution OF ample
supplies Of calcium arsenate for
the cotton belt states and at tha
lowest possible price to the grow
ers.
The cotton crop is product OF
the highest value and economic
Importance to the nation and every
cooperation should be given by the
Government during this crisis in
production TO prevent continu-
ance of the disastrous calamity to
the crop which has occurred in
1921 and 1929.
The Association has also urged
that each cotton state department
OF agriculture or other proper gov
ernmental- authority take charge
OF the purchase and distribution of
calcium arsenate in wholesale
quantity direct from the manufac-
turers and at the lowest possible
cost to the growers in their respec-
tive states. just as was done in
Georgia last year. This method
would save the farmers, :, many
thousands of dollars which are
now being paid to local retail dis
tributors.
The wholesale price for calcium
arSeDate is now -sa i1 IN ba 16 co,t.