SCIENTIFIC FARMING.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 October 1924, Page 1

SCIENTIFIC FARMING.

DKAIAXD FOB FERTILISATION.

AUCKLAND, Oct. 11

Tiie demand for fertilisers in the Auckland province this season is the greatest on record. Various reasons are assigned for this unusual activity, one being the adoption of more scien-.ti-iic methods of farming. Tim fact that the extremely vit weather experienced during the au,tuiun mouths prevented tup-dressing being cairied on during April and May Is stated to he responsible in pa it for the extremely heavy demand for superphosphate that lias :;et in. The inter i - a quicker acting fertiliser than oilier manures that are used for autumn topdressing and operations having been delayed until spring. Superphosphate is .urgently .required and orders lor this fertiliser, which were heavy in July, a month earlier than usual, have increased in volume to sileh all extent that the local manufacturing works are unable to fill them promptly. Representatives of fertiliser works and merchants state llmt the demand for fertilisers, particularly superphosphates, is largely due to the improvement in tiie markets for primary products. A steady market at reasonable prices for daily products, mutton and land) during the last two seasons, and the complete recovery of the wool market last season, have combined to place farmers in a position to undertake the improvement of pastures that were more or less neglected during the war and subsequently during the slump period. Farmers in tiie Auckland province, it is stated, are paying much more attention to scientific use of fertilisers and the ratio of production should steadily increase as a result. A factor that has some bearing nil the sustained heavy demand this season is that careful farmers ordered supplies unusually early to ensure delivery in time for sowing. A heavy demand for fertilisers was predicted in July, and Hie possibility flint, the local works might lie unable to till all requirements was suggested. This combined with the other factors mentioned, lias contributed to an unprecedented rush of orders. Replying to a query as to whether all the demands for the season would be met. a represent alive of a firm that deals chiolly in superphosphate said that lie thought that the supply would overtake the demand before the season ended. The season for top-dressing was limited and some farmers might have to postpone operations in that line till autumn. This would entail a heavy demand during April and May. lmt in t.ho meantime stocks would he replenished. The local works would he quite able to cope with I,he increasing requirements of the province once the volume of the increase was approximately aseertained. If tin’s season's activity was a fair indication of the farmers’ requirements for fertilisers, the results to the province would !>e far-reaching and highly satisfactory.