TOP DRESSING

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1929, Page 2

TOP DRESSING

REMARKABLE INCREASE, e The production of superphosphates in 1627-23 w-as 53 per cent greater than in the previous year. This indicates the extent to which New Zealand farmers are now top-dressing their land. The statistics relating to the production of superphosphates in the Dominion during the year ended .March 31st, 1928, are, in comparison with those for 192(5-27, characterised hv an increase of 52 per cent in the quantity produced an increase of 29 per cent, in the aggretato value (based on the Moiling price at the works), and a decrease of 15 per cent in tho average value per toil, states the “Abstract of Statistics.” With the except of two .relatively small works, one of which iLs not engaged in the production of superphosphates and the other to a. very small extent only, the industry as represented by seven works situated throughout the country as follows: Auckland, three (one at Te Pm papa, two at Otahuhu); New Plymouth, one Wanganui (Aramoho), one; Christchurch (Hornby), one, and Dunedin (Burnside), one. 'Three public companies operate these seven works, one owning four works, another two and the other one. The capital employed in the industry increased from £1,016,707 in 1/927 to £1,154,551 in. 1928. ORIGIN OF THE IMPORTS. The rock phosphate used fin New Zealand works is imported. According to the import statistics for the* calendar year 1927, Nauru Island provided (52 per cent. Gilbert and Ellice (Ocean) Islands 29 per cent., the Ttiamotu Archipelago 3 per cent, and the United States 1 per cent of the tojtal imports for that year. 'The following table shows the average costs of the principal materials during the years ended March 31, 1927 and 1928:

. 'Flio quantity of rock phosphate used in 1927-28 was 54 per cent in. excess of the quantity for the previous year, while tliQ,aggregate cost showed an increase of 39 per cent only, resulting in the average cost per ton declining by 9 per cent.

The output nif superphosphates ir

1./27-28 showed an increase of 52 per ■ cent over the. production for the previous year, and appears to reflect the record imports of rock phosphates during the calendar year 1927. The aggregate value showed a smaller relative increase of 29 per cent, while the average value per ton decreased by 15 per cent

'l'lie increase of 52 per cent in the output of superphosphates was accompanied by ail increase of 27 per cent in the cost of production (exclusive of costs of materials), indicating the application o*f the law of increasing returns.

Closely allied to the local industry is the import trade; more particularly as the industry is in the unique position of seeking the great bulk of its raw material overseas. Phosphates in various forms are the principal commodities sought abroad, and dur r ing tho last five years have represented approximately 90 per cent in value of tlie total imports of fertilisers. The more important phosphates imported are basic slag, bonedust, guano, and rock phosphate. Since 1912 tho fertiliser import trade has show'll marked expansion, particularly in basic slag and rock phosphate The total imports in 1928 were treble in quantity and approximately one and three-quarter times the value of those for 1912. Tho expansion has been most marked during the last five yeais which have witnessed increased activities in the direction of increasing and maintaining the productivity of farm land.

Although even now the imports of sulphate of ammonia, nitrate of soda, and potash are on a relatively small scale, the trade in each, more especially in potash ,has shown marked expansion in recent years. DETAILS OF CONSUMPTION. Owing to the inclusion of manuremixing, the statistics relating to the production of fertilisers in Now' Zealand prior to 1921-22 are not comparable with those for succeeding years, which are exclusive of the mixing side of the industry. The following table shows the quantities of locallv-produc-cd and imported fertilisers from 192122 to 1927-28:

*Yoar omli'd December 31 preceding. The value oF the 129,GG-I tons in 1922 was £752,292, and that of the 285,21 IS tons in 1928 was £7.45,911, this (indicating a declining level in prices with a substantial increase in consumption. Ignoring the exports, which a re negligible, the total figures in the nho\e table may reasonably he regard-

od as representing the amount of fertilisers available lor consumption each year.

The local industry is, with the exception of tlie treatment ol superphosphates and allied chemical processes confined to tlie production ol bonedust, bone and blood manures, etc., which is carried on in freezing works and toiling down works. The day is long past when the output of these works was the principal source ol supply. i lie primary industries have been Forced to look beyond their own immediate products for supplies ol tertiliseis and supplies are now being obtained from sources many removes in tin* economic sense from agricultural and pastoral pursuits. In 1921-22 the output from material produced m this country comprised 3(5 per cent ol the total supplies available if or consumption, against only 1.5 per cent in 1927-28. deary indicating the growing dope udeucc on supplies from abroad. The imports ol rock phosphates shown in a preceding table afford reliable index of the total superphosphate industry. The New Zealand production represents the outputs of freezing works and boildown works.

. AVg. Costs per Ton. £ s.. d. £ s. d. Knelt phosphate .. . 3 3 4 2 17 4 Sulphur . 5 18 1 5 19 n Nitrate off soda .. . Id 13 0 14 Id 4 J’otash •'•••• . 7 it S 6 13 5

Yon r Now Zonoink'd hind pro.Mill'd) dud ion. Imports* Total. 31. Tons, Tons. Tons. 1922 47,180 82,484 129,004 1 923 37,079 87,039 124,168 1924 27,190 139,417 106.613 192:") 27.190 144,285 178,204 192li 3.1,111 180,35(5 221,407 1927 30,951 227,947 204,808 1928 35,852 219,400 285,208