FARMING AND COMMERCIAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 115, 11 April 1930, Page 5

FARMING AND COMMERCIAL

PHOSPHATES AND LIFE. food forTthe soil; IMPORTANCE OF USE. Mr p. H. Cutting, F.1.C., writing in Ok, Fertiliser Journal, says:—Life, as wo Fno'v it, without phosphates would bo impossililc- About one-half of every bone in one's body is phosphate. Phosphate cir.nliitrs in tho blood and supplies the mus,.|es, nerves and brain with vital energy. Invention, art, litorature, in short, all tho products of thought and work, dopond on an adequate supply of phosphates. This supply comes from our daily food, whether animal or vegetable ;• in tho first instance vegetable, since the animals wo eat feed on vegetable matter. Wo can easily understand, therefore, how vitally necessary it is that the soil producing tho basic elements of life must contain plenty of phosphates. Docs it ? Except in very uncommon soil formations it does not. Natural supplies of phosphate, even in virgin soils, aro vory meagre. They' are quickly exhausted by cultivation and must bo replaced artificially if fertility is to bo maintained. Fortunately for mankind nature has concentrated in certain parts of tho world—notably in North Africa, North America and some islands in the Pacific—enormous dopbsitg of phosphate, tho mineralised remains of animal life in past ages of tho world’s history. It can bo truly said that, but for these deposits and their discovery by man, >the human race would to-day be in a very bad way indeed. As it is, thanks to this provision of nature, supplies of phosphate aro abundant and in no danger of early exhaustion. Discoveries of further deposits occur periodically and will probably continue to bo made, as tho result of continuous investigation of nature's mineral secrets. WORK OF PIONEERS. To Liebig in Germany, and to Lawcs in England belongs tho credit for discovering a procoss by which mineral phosphates aro made soluble in water and immediately fit for absorption by plants. These pioneers found that the mixing of a ton of ground phosphate with a ton of sulphuric acid produced nearly two tons of a rcadily-solublo fertiliser, which was called suporphosphato of lime. This discovery revolutionised agricultural practice and has led to a- world consumption of superphosphate, reaching to-day tho very largo total of about 14 million tons. Tho particular merit of water-solublo phosphate is that, through _ the action of rain-water, it becomes distributed through the upper soil in a very perfect manner, such as obviously cannot bo obtained for any solid powder however finely ground or carefully prepared and applied. Tho dissolved phosphates quickly combine with other substances in the soil, and, whilo remaining available in tho plant, aro no longer soluble in water and cannot be Washed away and lost. For thorough distribution and quick results, water-solublo phosphates stand pre-eminent over all insoluble forms. .• ■ ■ Tho Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act, 1926, prescribes a 3 the legal warranty tho percentage of phosphoric acid, instead of the percentage of phosphates previo&sly required. This simply implies a statement which must be made by vondors to' show the farmer the grade of material ho is buying. It in no way implies that an acid is boing added to tho soil. In fact, basic slag and ground mineral phosphate, both of which must be sold on a guarantee of so much phosphoric acid, are, in one caso, alkaline, and in tho other cithor slightly alkaline or noutral. Tho phosphates in both are all insolublo in water. CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES. In the caso of water-soluble phosphate tho sulphuric acid Used in its preparation is not, as might bo supposed, deposited in the soil as acid. A good deal of error and misrepresentation has arisen on this point.. What happens i 3 that tho whole of this acid combines in tho process of manufacture with'the insoluble matter in the raw phosphate to form completely, now chemical substancos. Principal, among these is sulphate of lime, a neutral salt, and itself of distinct fertilising valuo. It has boon definitely and abundantly proved, by triaU during many years in this country, on tho Continent. and in U.S.A., that superphosphate, docs not cause soil acidity, but m many cases actually reduces jt. There should be no room for doubt Nor misrepresentation on this point. That soil acidity does exist, particularly in limcpoor soils, is unfortunately true, but it is due to other causes, and can only be adequately corrected by occasional dressings of lime, and, where necessary, by proper drainage. , . When choosing from any of the complete fertilisers marketed by reputablo vendors, the farmer should make suro that his choice contains a reasonably good proportion of water-soluble phosphates. Most of tho nitrogen and practically all the potash will bo readily soluble, and tho phosphate must bo equally available to give a. maniirial balance,, and for the plant to find all the nutriment it requires from tho start.

STOCK MARKETS. MANGAWEKA SALE. Dalgcty and Coy., Ltd., report having had a good entry of both sheep and cattle at their Mangawoka sale on Thursday, 10th inst. There was a fairly good enquiry for all sheep at prices on a par with lato sales. Cattle met with a keen demand. Quotations: Shorn wether lajubs, ' s 8s 6d, 11s lOd; b.f. lambs, 10s lid; aged ewes r.w. S.D. rams, 10s 4d, 12s 3d, IZS id; cull ewes, 6s Id, 9s; S.H. wcaner steers, £5; S.H. wcaner heifers, £4; 18mos. P.A. heifers, £5; 2j-yr. P.A. steers, £9; small 24-yr. P.A. steers, £7 ss; fat cows £7. SALE AT BURNSIDE. DEMAND FOR LIGHT WETHERS. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, April 9. There was about tho usual number present at tho Burnside sale to-day,' in spito of tho incessant rain. Exporters wore busy on light wethers, and secured fully half tho yarding, while the majority of tho lambs wcic bought by the butchers, lho freezing works were running smoothly as usual. . , , hat Sheep.—ln a yarding Of 3050 fat sheep, only about 200 prime wethers wero penned, while tho. balance included some extra choice ewes. However, the majority of tho yarding was made up of old and light ewes. A choice pen of wothers brought 33/6. Prices for wethers were equal to about 4jd per lb for choico, and 4d per lb for plain sorts. Ewes sold at 23/4 to 31/4; a truck of extra heavy wothers at 33/6; and other extra heavies at 32/1 and 34/-. Other prices were: Heavy wothers, 30/6, 28/6, 31/-; modium wethers, 27/6, 26/6; light wethers, 24/3 to 25/-; extra heavy ewes, 23/- to 24/9; heavy ewes 19/- to 21/6; light ewes, 13/- to 12/9. Fat lambs.—The yarditg was smaller and tho quality was not so good as previously, Owing to the exporters’ limits being reduced, prices were back about 1/6 to 2/- a head, working out at 7id to 8d per lb. The top price for four special lambs was 33/6. Ordinary butchers’ lambs went from 21/- to 24/-, and the biggest portion of the yarding was secured by the butchors. Store Cattle.—A very poor yarding of stoic cattle was made up chiefly of old cows and a pen of two of medium bullocks. The latter sold at from £9 to £lO per head, while tho cows brought from £6 to £lO. Fat Cattle.— A yarding of 198 head consisting principally of bullocks of good quality. Tho salo opened at last week’3 rates, but quickly advanced to about 15/- a head better than tho,last .sale’s prices. The top price, realised early in • the sale, was £2O/17/6. . Pigs.—There were *lB4 fats, and 70. stores.. Tho sale was a Tittle easier than last week, and bacon pigs wero ei)ual to Bjd per lb, with porkers at ?Jd per lb. HIDES MARKET. . MELBOURNE. April 10. • elides market opened id to id lower and closed yi to hi Withdrawals were

WELLINGTON STOCK EXCHANGE. YESTERDAY’S BUSINESS AND PRICES. The market holds a firm tone, with all the more favoured classes of shares in strong demand, selling quotations being comparatively .- few. Five sales wore reported on tho Wellington Stock Exchange yesterday, three of them being bank shares. Government securities were again in good general demand with prices steady. The 4i per cent, stocks (1939 and 1938) were firm at £97 7s 6d, and tho 4£ per cent, bonds. (1941) were also wanted at £99 7s 6d. For the 4£ per cent, bonds (1939 and 1938) £97 10s was bid, and £99 7s 6d was offered for the 5£ per cent, bonds (1933) and for the stocks of the same denomination 2s 6d less was bid. Bank shares showed a rising tendency with a strong demand. Bank of Australasia were up 23 6d at £l2 2s 6d; Commercial Bank of Australia at 21s lOd were unchanged. National Bank of New Zealand advanced 3s to £6 3s, but English, Scottish and Australian were unchanged at £6 12s. National of Australasia, £5 paid, wero Is better at £7 10s. Bank of New South Wales wero steady at £39, with a sale at £39 7s 6d (Sydney register). Bank of New Zealand rose Is to £2 19s. Goldsbrough Mort and Co. at 31s 3d were 3d higher. New Zealand Guarantee Corporation preference were steady at 20s 6d. New Zealand and River Plate have come in for attention and yesterday there was a bid of 27s 6d for them. Wellington Deposit wore steady at 9s 6d, and Wright, Stephenson ordinary at 20s 9d. Insurance shares continue in firm demand. National Insurance were 4d up at 14s 4d. New Zealand Insurance at ,43s 6d and South British Insurance at 61s were-unchanged. Wellington Gas were firm at 30s. Gear Meat were wanted at 37s 6d, and Wellington Meat Export were firm at 7s 6d. For Union Steam 20s was bid and for P. and O. deferred stock 495. Westport Coal were up 3d at 31s. Kauri Timber were unchanged at 12s 6d. New Zealand Breweries advanced Is 3d to 51s. Staples and Co. wore steady at 48s. Burns, Philp and Co. were again in demand at 365, and British Tobacco at 40s Id. New Zealand Drug were wanted at 65s 6d ex dividend. Wilson’s Cement were 2d better at 38s lOd. YESTERDAY’S QUOTATIONS.

YESTERDAY’S SALES. The following sales were reported on the Stock Exchanges of the Dominion yesterday:— Wellington.—Bank of N.Z., £6 ss, £6 5s 6d; Bank of New South Wales (Sydney register), £39 7s 6d; New Zealand Breweries (two), £2 11s. "• Auckland. —Inscribed Stock, 44 per cent., 1938, £97 12s 6d; Inscribed Stock, 44 per cent., 1939, £97 12s 6d; Commercial Bank of Australia (2), £1 2s 14d; English, Scottish and Australian Bank (2), £6 17s 6d; National Bank of N.Z., £6 ss; Bank, of New Zealand (2), £2 19s; South British Insurance, £3 2s; Wellington Investment, He- Auckland Gas (2), £1 3s 7d; Northern Steamship, 14s; N.Z. Breweries, £2 lls 6d; British Tobacco (2), £2 0s .6cl. Christchurch.—lnscribed Stock, 54 per cent.. 1936, £99 7s 6d; N.Z. Breweries (2), £2 lls, £2 lls 9d; British Tobacco (3), £2 0s 3d. Sales reported: Commercial Bank of Australia, £1 Is lOd, £1 Is lid; Bank of New Zealand, £2 19s 6d; Dalgety and Co., £ll 7b; Goldsbrough, Mort, £1 lls 6d; N.Z. Breweries (late sale Wednesday). £2 lls; N.Z. Breweries, £2 lls. £2 12s; White Star Brewery. 14s 6d: British Tobacco, £2 0s 3d. Dunedin. —N.Z. Breweries, £2 lls 6d. Sales reported; Huddnrt-Pnrker, pref., 19s lid; British Tobacco, £2 0s 6d. EGGS AND POULTRY. (Bv Telegraph.— Special to “Standard.”) ;WELLINGTON, - April 11. v , Egg supplies have fallen off so heavily, that there has been a substantial rise, in nriccs, first grade hen eggs being 2s lOd a dozen, seconds 2s 2d, duties 2s lOd, preserved hen eggs 2s. - ... ~ Fairly heavy quantities of fresh, poultry are coming in. White.., Leghorns, 4s a pair Black Orpingtons 5s a pair, ducklings 8s a pair. ' Chicken, Is a lb.' Subdivision means closer settlement and is of special interest to the district which such development takes place. Mr H. Akers has decided to ' place 1400 acres of his Opiki estate ,6n the market.' This ib now being subdivided into areas of about 50 to 70 acres and a few sections of about 100 acres each. The estate is situated about four miles from Rangiotu aqd Tokomaru railway stations- and 13 miles from Palmerston North/The soil is rich ’river deposit, there being yery little-land m New Zealand to equal it for dairying, bullock fattening, or the breeding of fat lambs. Very easy terms will be given. For further particular* see advertisement in this issue. {

WILL BE MAINTAINED. LIVE STOCK EMBARGO. REPLY TO BRITISH CRITICISM. WELLINGTON, April 9. Despite the strong comment of visiting British farmers regarding New Zealand’s prbhibition of live stock imports from the United Kingdom, tho Minister of Agriculture, tho Hon. G. W, Forbes, declares that the restrictions will bo maintained. _ < “It can readily bo realised,” said Mr Forbes, “that tho British farmers find it difficult to understand why tho importation of cattle, sheep, and pigs from tho United Kingdom is still prohibited, notwithstanding the establishment of a quarantine station at London, in which animals for export aro kept under quarantine conditions for two weeks beforo boing shipped —a period amply long enough to enable foot and mouth disease to manifest itself in any animal infected before entering the station. In considering this it is necessary to bear in mind tho tact that New Zealand is free from many serious diseases existing in tho older coutrics, and that both tho Government and tho farmers of tho Dominion have always been deeply impressed wicli tiio necessity of doing all possible to prevent the introduction of any of those, rionco a general policy of precaution which may appear extreme in some respects is held to be warrantable in the circumstauos, and this genoral principle is fully endorsed by tho farming community. ’ FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE. “As regards foot and mouth discaso in particular, tho community view it with special concern, this being accentuated by information received |rom travelling larmors who' have observed the heavy losses incurred through it in other countries whore it exists, and by tho realisation of how serious and widespread would bo tho loss to the Dominion if it became epidemic here, especially as the country is dependent for its financial stabiliy upon tho production and marketing of livo stock products. The measures taken by the British Government to ensuro the shipment of animals freo from foot and mouth infection arc fully known, and their valuo is fullly appreciated, but, notwithstanding those measures and the additional precaution of quarantine at this end, there is a great preponderance of feeling among tho pastoral community against tho removal of tho present embargo. “Tho whole question has been lately gone into by the Board of Agriculture, a very representative body, acting in an advisory capacity to the Government, but tho board did not feel justified in recommending any alteration, except as regards cattle from the island of Jersey, if transhipped without being landed in England. Tho Dominion executive of tho Farmers’ Union also, at its meeting this week, unanimously passed an unqualified resolution that tho present restrictions should continue. Information lately received from tho High Commissioner’s Offico is to the effect that the quarantine station at tho London docks is working vory satisfactorily, and it is sincerely to be hoped that strenuous and thorough measures takon by tho authorities in the United Kingdom to stamp out tho disease will yet prove successful. QUESTION OF NEW BLOOD. “Whilo tho Dominion is ’still self-con-tained as regards a number of breeds, there are others for which new 'blood is needed, and the question of how to meet this position will soon need to be given very full consideration. “Rcferenco has from time to time been mado to animals of British origin brought to Now Zealand via the United States or Canada. It must bo pointed out that no livo stock can be introduced from those countries unless accompanied by a certificate in proper form that tbev arc in good health and have been bred there or domiciled for a period of not less than six months; also, in the caso of the United States, the prior consent of tho Minister of Agriculture for their introduction is necessary.”. WOOL TEXTILE CRISIS. LONDON, April 10. The employers refused to meet a Trades Union Congress delegation to discuss the wool textile crisis. • They rejected the employees’ offer- of a 5 per cent, wage reduction, and insisted on 9 per cent., A general stoppage affecting 150,000 operatives, is feared on April 11.

Buying and soiling quotations at the final call on the Wellington Stock Exchange yesterday were as follow:Buyers. Sellers. N.Z. GOVT LOANS— £ s. d. £ 8. d. 44 p.c. Ins. Stk., 1939 and 1938 97 7 6 — 5J p.c. ditto, 1933 99 5 0 — 54 p.c. Ins. Stk. and Bonds, 1936 99 0 0 — 44 p.c. Bonds, 1941 ... 97 7 6 — 44 p.c. ditto, 1939 and 1938 97 10 0 T 44 p.c. ditto, 1930 99 0 0 54 p.c. ditto, 1933 99 7 6 — BANKS— Australasia *12 2 6 — Commercial of Aust. (ord.) 1 1 10 — English, Scottish and Australian 6 12 0 — National of N.Z 6 3 0 — National of Australasia (£10) — 15 4 0 Ditto (£5) 7 10 0 7 11 6 New Pouth Wales 39 0 0 — New Zealand 2 19 0 — Ditto (long term) 1 6 0 — Union of Australia ... — 12 1 0 Ditto (Melbourne register) — 12 2 0 FINANCIAL— Coldsbrough, Mort ... 1 11 3 1 11 10 N.Z. Guarantee Gorp. (ord.) — 0 8 2 Ditto (pref.) 1 0 6 — N.Z. and River Plato 1 7 6 — Well. Invest., T. A A. — 0 11 3 Well. Deposit and Mortgage 0 9 6 ■ — Wright, Stephenson ' ■ (ord.) 1 0 9 •— GAS— ' Christchurch , ;i 6 4 Wellington (ord.) 1 10 0Ditto (pref.) 0 17 1 INSURANCE— National 0 14 4 — Now Zealand 2 3 6 — South British 3 1 0 • — MEAT PRESERVING— Gear " 1 17 6 — N.Z. Refrigerat. (10s) — 0 5 3 Well. Meat Ex. (ord.) 0 7 6 0 9 6 TRANSPORT— Union Steam (pref.) . 1 0 0 — » P. and 0. def. stock .. 2 9 0 2 15 '0 WOOLLEN— Wellington (ord.) — 6 0 0 Ditto (pref.) — 6 3 0 COAL — Westport 1 11 0 — Waipa TIMBER 0 14 0 Kauri ■... b 12 6 — Leyland-O’Brien ■— 1 10 0 t National — 0 9 0 BREWERIES— New Zealand 2 11 0 2 11 9 Staples and Co 2 8 0 — — 3 15 0 MISCELLANEOUS— Burns, Philp and Co. 1 16 0 — British Tobacco (Aust.) 2 0 1 2 0 10 Dental and Medical . — 0 13 ,6 Electro. Zinc (pref.) — 1 8 0 Holden’s Motor Bldrs. — 0 15 0 Howard Smith (ord.) — 0 17 6 N.Z. Drug ....: 3 5 6 *3 8 6 Wilson’s Cement 1 18 10 MINING— Mount Lyell 1 14 0 — Waihi 0 13 8 — *Ex dividend.