H.—29.

In connection with a similar reclamation project for Bhieskin Bay, a representative series of soils although rich in plant-food, were of such sandy texture as to make their utilization when drained subject to severe restrictions. In this case the water-supply would be the chief factor, and the effect of droughts would have to be contended with. Samples of soil from some reclaimed land bordering Lake Ellesmere were analysed in 1908 and found to be very rich in available phosphoric acid. It was then advised that cruciferous crops would be likely to grow exceptionally well on these soils. Limestones. Probably owing to the need for utilizing all the resources existing on their farms during the depression, farmers have been very active in submitting samples of limestone for analysis. Two hundred and fifty-seven samples of lime have been analysed during the year. These include a number of samples of commercial crushed limestone submitted by the District Fields Superintendents for report as to whether their quality warranted the granting of the free railage privileges. Fertilizers. Two official and thirty unofficial samples have been received during the year. No important discrepancies were disclosed by any of the samples. The following information relates to certain activities arising out of fertilizer control work covering the past registration year provided by the Fertilizers Act, 1927 : — Registration Situation for 1931-32. Number of superphosphate-manufacturers registered.. .. .. .. .. 8 Number of freezing and boiling-down works, &c., registered .. .. .. .. 57 Mercantile firms*, importing or selling fertilizers under their own brands, or selling overseas firms' fertilizers .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 236 Total number of primary vendors .. .. .. .. 301* Number of merchants, storekeepers, &e., registered as secondary vendors .. .. 590 Number of firms registered solely as primary vendors .. .. .. .. 62 Total number of fertilizer vendors .. .. .. .. 652f Number of brand registrations effected .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,016 Certificates of registration issued to primary vendors .. .. .. .. 353 Acknowledgments of registration to secondary vendors .. .. .. .. 660 Average fertilizing-strength of factory-mixed proprietary manures: Nitrogen, 1-3 per cent. ; phosphoric acid, 18-5 per cent.; potash (K a O), 2-0 per cent. * Including 136 branches of various firms. t Including 160 branches ol various firms.

Filler or Diluent employed.

Classification by Name of Typical Commercial Fertilizers registered for Sale in New Zealand. Phosphatic. Nitrogenous. Superphosphate. Sulphate of ammonia. Basic superphosphate. Nitrate of soda. Basic slag. Calnitro. Bone-char dust. Cyanamide. Ground rock phosphates— Urea. Nauru Ocean Island. Dried blood. Makatea Island. North African — Moroccan. Potassic. Tunisian (" Solfos," " Phosfull," " Hyfos," Potash manure salts, 30 per cent. " Gafsa," &c.). Potash manure salts, 20 per cent. Egyptian (" Ephos "). Muriate (chloride) of potash. Sulphurophosphate. Sulphate of potash. Phosphatic guanos — Kainit. Seychelles Islands (Assumption Island and St. Pierre Island); and Juan de Nova Island. Walpole Island. Phospho-potassic. Potassic superphosphate. Phospho-nitrogenous Potassic basic superphosphate; Ammoniated superphosphate. Potassic mineral (rock) phosphate ( Potassic Phosphate, Basic ammoniated superphosphate. Potassic Phosfull, Potassic Gafsa ). Nitro-superphosphate. Bone-meal or bonedust. Blood and bone. Phospho-nitro-potassic. Whale bone-meal. Nitrophoska. Meat and bone (tankage). Enpekay. Bone tankage. Dissolved guano. Fish fertilizer. Peruvian guano. Leunaplios. Nitro-potassic-phosphate. Diammonphos (di-ammonium phosphate).

31

Number of Nature of Filler Brands | Average Maximum Minimum Most Popular ccontaining i Percentage. Percentage. Percentage. Proportions. Filler. Per Gent. Carbonate of lime .. .. .. 189 16-6 62»5 4-0 10-25 Sand .. .. .. .. .. 9 17-8 18-0 16-0 18 Sulphur and sulphate of iron .. .. 2 2*5 .. j