NITRATE OF-POTASH

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 287, 28 August 1908, Page 3

NITRATE OF-POTASH

.. ITS USE-AS MANURE. Australian orchardists who have been using nitrate of potash ■ with 1 of ammonia and superphosphate .as manures in their orchards, aro somewhat concerned at the higher prices, which are now being asked for the nitrate of potash and inquiries have been made of the of Agriculture in» Sydney as to whether an equivalent can be used in the form of sulphate' of potash with nitrate of soda or. sulphate of ammonia.; . .For. their iformatiori, the Department has had prepared by the chemist a report, showing the relative value per unit of nitrogen, and-per unit of potash, with these'manures at present value and nitrate of potash at £30 a ton. i Mr. Guthrie states that 1 cwt. ,of pure nitrate of potash contains 521b. of potash, and 15Jlb. of nitrogen. A mixture of lcwt.of sulphate of potash and 951b.' (or practically lcwt.) of nitrate of soda wilfprovide these'quantities. The cost of a; mixture of lcwt. of sulphate- of potash and' lcwt. of nitrate of 'soda will be £1 ss. 9d., as against £1 10s., tho cost of lcwt. of nitrate of potash. . _ The unit values are as follows Nitrogen, in nitrate of soda, at £12 15s. per ton, los. •' potash, in sulphate of potash, at £13 10s. per ton, ss'. 2d. Estimating > the nitrogen and potash in nitrate of potash"on the same basis, its manurial. value would be only ' £22 per ton, as against £30, the' price usually charged. In spite of this, it is preferred by some fruit-growers, even at tho higher rate, and there is little doubt that it acts more promptly, and perhaps more effectively, than the similar ingredients mixed in a different form. : . The New South Wales Department is now making inquiries to ascertain whether a supfily of nitrate of potash - can ' be obtained in arge' quantities for the use of fruitgrower's' unions, and others wishing to import large quantities direct, at a cheaper rate than the one now quoted. '