REDUCING FARM COSTS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 33, 2 September 1949, Page 4

REDUCING FARM COSTS

Sir, —It would be a very grave and serious blunder if we were to erect any new fertiliser works 'in New Zealand —other than at a source of supply—which will not run out for a number of years—similar to Nauru Island'—which is our main source of supply; and by so doing our farming costs could be very substantially reduced—just by having our fertilisers concentrated—as is being done in "other and more progressive parts of the world.

For example; if double super were manufactured at the source of supply, only half the amount of super and bags would be required; if triple super were manufactured—then only one-third of the super and bags: and if 100 per cent super —then just one-quarter of super and bags would be necessary—and shipping, irailage, cartage, spreading, road rates, handling charges etc., could all be cut in the same proportions. 1 Millions of tons of these concentrated fertilisers' hav r - been manufactured in U.S.A. alone, so there must be a very sound good reason for that.

The highest of these concentrated fertilisers could be mixed with lime—to act as a carnet —instead of the present wasteful carrier which is in super. Perhaps it is’news to sr me that super contains only 20.15Jbs of plant-food—and (the greatei proportion) 79.51bs of waste carrier in each lOOlbs of super—whereas with concentrated fertiliser—all this wasteful and useless carrier co.uld be left at the source of supply, and only the plant food brought away. Highly concentrated fertilisers, would be the answer to our hillcountry economic problems-- as well as to increasing production and lowering cost in general, at the same time. What a tremendous saving to our vital primary industry in New Zealand and what a “God sent” plant in the salvation of our worn out railways, roads, shipping problems etc. The manufacture of this concentrated fertiliser at its source of supply, would mean the saving of millions of pounds over a period of time to the country; and would be a reply to the burning question of increased taxation and falling prices.

Yours etc., H. A. LURMAN, J.P., Otorohanga