SERPENTINE FILLER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 December 1943, Page 2

SERPENTINE FILLER

FARMERS’ UNION SPEAKER QUESTIONS VALUE

The value of serpentine filler was questioned by Mr J. H. Bremner, of Pahiatua, at a meeting of the Wairarapa ■ Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union yesterday afternoon. Mr Bremner said that during many years research had been made into plant life, in which facts were established and chemicals which assisted plant life were located. Now the Department of Agriculture wanted farmers to ignore years of research wbrk and accept serpentine filler. The three principal ingredients necessary were nitrogen, potash, and phosphates. None was contained in serpentine rock. The rock was being carted all over the country and was an economic waste. Farmers, he said, should have the right to use either straight, lime or serpentine superphosphate. Mr A. Keir said he agreed that farniers should have the right of choice but Mr Bremner was off the track regarding the value of serpentine. He had applied serpentine super a year before it was needed and he had obtained good results. For crops the serpentine super was too slow but it was all right for top dressing. Mr Bremner said soil and climatic conditions came into the subject as the application of ordinary sand under good conditions would have a beneficial effect.

The president, Mr Hugh Morrison, said that was so because he had sandy areas on his place.