HALVING THE BILL

Hokitika Guardian, 18 June 1929, Page 3

HALVING THE BILL

INCREASED USE OF FERTILISERS “While the weather has contributed very materially to the remarkable increase in production recorded for the season, credit must also he given to the extra production due to increased fertilisers,” states the annual report of the National Dairy Association. 'lbis increased appreciation on the part of fanners, and of the benefits of topdressing, has been very widespread. For the season ending 1923, the total consumption of local products and imported fertilisers was 124,118 tons; this had expanded for the year 1928 to i.85,2(J8 tons. AYhat has materially contributed to this extended use of fer t ...sers, has been the lower price at which top dressings have been available to farmers. This is a reileclion of the. trade developments in recent years, by which farmers have unquestionably benefitted. In addition to that factor, credit is due to the Railway Department for the lower freight rate accorded to the carriage of fertilisers. This lias enabled farmers to material y extend their use of fertilisers, and thus swell the Dominion’s total of expoit production. The drop in the price of fertilisers is well reflected in the folVnving comparative figures. AYher-eas (he value of the 129,684 tons of fertilisers used in 1 922 was £752*,292 that of fbo 285.208 tons used in 1923 was £715,911. This means practically a halving in the ferti iser hill, in that double tonnage was availnb’e at slightly less than Ibo former price.