A New Fertiliser

Northern Advocate, 4 October 1938, Page 11

A New Fertiliser

KOTK.UK PHOSPHATE ANNOUNCED An entirely new phbsphatic fertiliser is announced in the advertising columns of today’s issue. We have been given to understand that Kotkur Phosphate is quite different in a number of ways from any manure which has so far been available to the New Zealand farmer, but a point the manufacturers insist upon- is that, it is not designed to replace superphosphate, which has been proved' fof d'score of years to be entii'ely suitable and effective for the average conditions of farming in New Zealand- This is a special product designed for a special purpose. , J •Kotkur Phosphate is manufactured in the Otahuhu works of the Challenge Phosphate Company, and follows two years of close study and experiment in an endeavour to fulfil a definite need’ which has long been recognised. Part of this research called for the company’s superintendent, Mr. W. CassellsBrown, going to America and Europe to investigate the special products being produced in works overseas. Returning to New Zealand, he continued his research .in the field and laboratory and in the Otahuhu W r orks in, an endeavour to produce a fertiliser primarily suitable for hand top-dressing but, one that would also contain phosphate in the desired forms to give both a quick response and lasting effects. The result of -his, two years of work is found in Kotkur Phosphate, and we understand the works are in full production and immediate deliveries can be given. The chief use for which Kotkur has been designed ,1s top-dressing on hill country; its texture is -completely granular and no fertiliser yet produced is so eminently, suited for hand-sowing and yet it will readily flow through a top-dresser. The other special purposes for Kotkur are peat and peaty soils and heavy clay soils; the types which give up moisture very slowly and lie cold during the winter and early spring. • Kotkur contains 54/56 phosphates, of which three-fifths is water-soluble, the remaining two-fifths being slowly available, an ideal type of manure where top-dressing cannot be applied frequently. Kotkur is an excellent substitute for hillside super and for many reasons is very much to be preferred. 928