HUE FERTILISERS USED.

Matamata Record, Volume XIII, Issue 1140, 21 July 1930, Page 3

HUE FERTILISERS USED.

DOMINION’S IMPORTS, Total of 368,000 Tons. A marked feature of the importations of fertilisers during the year ended * March 31. 1930, is tnc great increase in the popularity oi Tunisian and Moroccan phosphates. This increase is particularly noticeable w.tii regard to the former "variety, importations of. which have trebled as compared with the quantity imported lust year. The amount of Tunisian phosphates imported in th 0 year 1928-29 was 15,500 tons, and this figure increased last year tons. The bulk of the Moroccan phosphate brought into the .Dominion, which increased from 22,000 tons t.o 35,000 tons, has doubtless been utilised in the manufacture of superphosphate, but a certain amount is very finely ground locally, and is sold in the raw state. The following table, which is compiled from figures supplied by the New Zealand Department of Agriculture, shows the total importations for the past two years, as well as the figures for the inor e important varieties of fertilisers: — ,

The following table shows a comparison of the amounts of standard manures imported at the beginning and end of the past decade. In most cases a steady movement has been shown, but superphosphate is an exception. Importations of this fertiliser have varied greatly during the past 10 years, the figures in 1922, 1927, and 1925, being 3140 tons, 15 tons, and 6016 tons respectively. This variation i> accounted for largely by the fact that superphosphate is manufactured locally from phospliatic rock imported from the Pacific Islands and Morocco: —

Commenting on the figures for the past year, an Auckland merchant stated that the use of fertilisers appeared to be assuming increased importance in eyes of th e farming community. The drop in prices for produce was responsible for greater efforts in the direction of production, and it was realised that fertilisers would play a largo part in bringing about an increase. The figures for the year afforded sufficient indication of the extent to which the use of fertilisers had increased. The fall in produce prices threw upon the farmers the burden of increasing production next year, and this could only, be done by more extensive top-dressing. A difficulty which presented itself, however, wis the lack of capital from v-mich xnanv farmers were sufferin'. If sufficient ere lit facilities conH be provided it was 'ikelv that fuL-re importations of fertiliser" would greatly exceed previous records. crumbly state. Ducklings arc good feeders, and should bo given just as much as they will clean up. Lengthen the periods between th e meals as they grow older. By the time they are eleven or twelve weeks .old it will be found three meals a day will be sufficient. Ducklings require plenty of fresh process of in-breeding again that the Goose eggs can be successfully hatched in the incubator, but ’they require slightly different management. The eggs should be introduced to the drawer when the machine is registering 95 degrees, and kept at that until the eggs ar e heated through. This will prevent any burst yolks owing to sudden high temperatures. During the next two' days the temperature should be gradually raised until lo2degs. is reached, and on the fourth day it can be raised to round about 1,05 dfigs., and kept at that. On the fourth day the eggs should be turned morning and evening, and sprinkled with warm water before being returned to the machine. The sprinkling can be done with a sponge, and the damp sponge can bo left inside the drawer. When the eggs are beginning to pip, the eggs should be. generously damped, and then left to themselves. It will be found that duel? eggs will hatch successfully along with goose eggs, so that the tray can be filled up if there is not enough goose eggs on hand. The best results will bo got if the goslings are given to broody -hens. These hens should be put. down on dummy eggs, and a few days before the hatch is. due they, can be given a couple of gooso eggs, which will hatch out under th c hens. The hens will then take readily to the goslings given to them from the incubator. A hen can be given seven goslings to rear.

1928-29 Tons JBonedust and bond char 554 1929-30 Tons 1,420 •Basic slag .. 93,222 94,332 Superphosphate .. .. 1,037 525 Pacific Phosphate .. 177,057 170,997 Egyptian phosphate . 6,000 300 Moroccan phosphate . 22,173 12,499 35,34S Tunisian phosphate . • 37,424 Sulphate of ammonia 2,268 11,015 Total 331,897 368,762

Bonedust 1920 Tons 6,272 1930. Tons. 1,420 Basic slag 2,759 94,332 Superphosphate .. .. 15,842 30,861 - 525 Pacific phosphate .... 170,997 Egyptian phosphate .. 15,000 300 Moroccan phosphate .. — 35,348 Tunisian phosphate .. . — 37,424