APPEAL TO FARMERS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 51, 23 February 1945, Page 4

APPEAL TO FARMERS

SERPENTINE SUPERPHOSPHATE MANUFACTURE TO CONTINUE The matter of future supplies of fertiliser has been given serious consideration by the War Cabinet and the National Cotincil of Primary Production. It is stated, difficulties were still likely to arise with the importation of rock and it is. anticipated there will not be sufficient shipping to increase the supply over the past year. New Zealand is unfortunate in not having any worthwhile deposits of phosphate, therefore it is of national importance that the best use should be made of the supplies available. The use of Serpentine Super under the present emergency rationing regulations is- to be continued. War Cabinet has directed } that it be compulsory in the North Island in so far as the supply of serpentine rock can be made available. Speaking generally,, the National Council believes that the experience to date, suggests that individual farmers have benefited by the use of serpentine super. The fact of getting one-third more tonnage in their ration has been a great advantage in maintaining a high level of production and a further advantage is that it is non setting and non-bag rotting while in storage. Because of difficulties associated with a full supply of serpentine and its incorporation with super at the works, there is every likelihood that a certain tonnage of straight superphosphate will be available this coming year. Arrangements are being made whereby this should be available to farmers expressing a definite preference for superphosphate. At a later a census will be undertaken to indicate the tonnage required. Distributing merchants will circularise their clients l asking them to express their desire for next year's ration. In view of the production results obtained and the experience gained and despite the unsatisfactory nature of certain tonnage of serpentine super supplied, the National Council of Primary Production confidently ask farmers, to co-operate in making full use of all tonnage available for next season. The Department of Agriculture is to be responsible for seeing that the rock supplies are of suitable quality and the deliveries under the control of the Public Works Department. Altogether a higher grade article can be assured in the future.