NITRATES FROM THE AIR

Otago Witness, Issue 3292, 18 April 1917, Page 13

NITRATES FROM THE AIR

THE USE OF HYDRO-ELECTRIC . POWER. The following extract from the Electrical World, New York, of February 24, is of interest in connection with the proposal of Mr J. Orchiston, Chief Telegraph Engineer, to manufacture nitrates by hydro-elec-tric power at the Bowen Falls: " The attention now being directed toward the use of hydro-electric power in the manufacture of nitrates has led the State Water Problems Conference, appointed by the Governor of California, to devote considerable space to this subject in its recent report, an extract of which appeared in the Electrical World for February 3, 1917. In order to emphasise the latent possibilities in this field in the United States comparisons are drawn with the nitrate industry in foreign countries. The following has been taken from the report: " ' Europe uses per acre of cultivated land 2001 b of fertiliser; the United States uses 281 b. Germany, in 20 years, by the use of fertiliser, has increased the averagt. yield of all crops grown three times and a-half as much per acre as America. The German Agricultural Department reports show that by feeding the toil with 2,000,000 tons of. nitrate there was secured an increase in crops of 63,000,000 tons. In Germany intelligent effort has been directed to replace the nitrogenous compounds extracted from the soil by crop growth; in the United States the average agriculturist has seen his land yield steadily decreasing crops without attempting adequate remedy. " ' The average yield per acre in bushels tor various crops in the United States and Europe is as follows: — Wheat. Gnt9. Barley. Rvc. Potatoes. United States 15 29 25' 18 96 Europe 32 47 38 20 158 " ' As a measure of preparedness in event of war the United States has been attempting to accumulate a reserve stock of 32,500 tons of Chilian nitrate. Her army and navy uso annually in peace 3000 tons. The reserve stock contemplated would make enough explosives to last possibly a week in a modern war, and at the end of that time the nation would bo powerless unless her navy were strong enough to enable her to commandeer a supply from Chili against the efforts of her enemy and possibly the wishes of tho world. A cheerful outlook for a nation whose foreign relations are becoming complicated.' "A country with great natural waterpower resources can by the proper use thereof rnako itself independent of tho

foreign supply of nitrates. Nitrates can be readily extracted from the air by hydroelectric power, and where there is a general distribution of the necessary rock deposits used in these processes, which is the case throughout the West, it maybe considered that 1.5 h.p. of hydro-electric energy will produce a ton of sodium nitrate per year. The method of manufacturing fertiliser from Chilian deposits produces a composition of 12 per cent, active fertiliser and 88 per cent, useless material on which freight must be paid, while the electro fertiliser product contains 60 per cent, of fertilising material. " Tho United States is importing from Chili annually 625,000 tons of nitrate, valued before the war at 23,000,000d0l (including the Chilian export duty of nearly but now worth 37,5C0,000d01. That entire amount of nitrate could be manufactured in California by utilising 1,000,000 h.p. of its unused water-power resources. California itself is using about 50,000 tons of Chilian nitrate annually, at 'a cost before the war of noarly 2,000,000d01, increased now to 3.000,000d01. Many times this amount should now be used annually in that State, and this will doubtless come in time. A 75,000 h.p. hydro-electric plant would supply the nitrates now used in California." CANTERBURY MARKETS. GRAIN AND PRODUCE. REPORTS. (Lyttelton Times, April 14.) There is etill a little business being done in wheat, but the offerings are small. All samples submitted are readily taken by millers cr merchants at the prices fixed by Government proclamation. . Reports from the country seem to indicate that the thrashing season is nearing its end; but merchants report that there has not been the expected quantity of wheat handled to date. Whilst the figures recently published in the Monthly Abstract of Statistics do not actually prove anything, they are interesting at this stage. According to this Government publication, the amount of wheat thrashed up to March 16, 1916, was 2.3 6,126 bushels, and of ' oats 1,069,800 bushels, the figures being based on actual thrashing returns. This year the wheat thrashed to March 19 was only 1,320 060 bushels, and of oats 782,511 bushels. Oats are considerably easier. Owing to importations from Australia, the Auckland market will be independent of the South Island for some little time. There is still a good demand for prime milling and seed oats; but these are not particularly plentiful. Gartons are now quoted at 3s 3d to 3s" 4d; Algerians (only a few odd lines offered), 3s 6d ; and Duns, 3s 3d to. 3s 4d. There is practically nothing doing in barley, as the crop has just about been cleaned up. Partridge peas are worth 6s 3d to 6s sd, according to quality. There is a little demand for chaff, prices ranging from £3 15s to £4 per ton. Some business is being done in potatoes, and crops are now being, lifted. Reports of the quantity and condition are satisfactory. Prices remain unchanged. Onions are a little easier, owing to Australians having been placed in large quantities on the Dominion market. Thev are now worth £5 10s to £6 a ton. There is a good market for ryegrass, but there is none offering.. The quotations given below are for purchases from farmers, net cash, sacks extra, delivered at country stations. In the case of wheat the maximum prices ar« fixed bv the Board of Trade on an f.o.b. basis. The quotations are as follow: Wheat—Pearl, 5s 9d, f.0.b., Lyttelton; Hunters, 53 Bd, f.0.b., Lyttelton; Tuscan. 5s 7d, f.o.b. Lyttelton; Garton oats, 3s 3d to 3s 4d; Algerians,' 3s 6d; Duns, 3s 3d to 3s 4d; barley—malting, 4s 6d to 5s 3d; Partridge peas, 6s 3d to 6s 6d; bran, £4; chaff, £3 15s to £4; pollard. £6; oatmeal, £22; flour, £ls; onions, £5 10s to £6; potatoes—forward delivery. £4; ryegrass seed, 3s 6d to 4s 6d; cocksfoot. 9d to 10-i : d; white clover (farm dressed). Is 6d to Is 9d ; dairy factory cheese, lOd; butter —local factory (first grade), Is sd; farm separator pats. Is Id; dairy pats, Is; dairv (bulk), lid; hams, Is 2d; sides, Is Id; roll hams, Is 3d; lard pats, 10£d; eggs. Is 9d. TIMARU MARKET. (Christehurch Press, April 14.) Owing to the paucity of offerings a quiet tone pervades the wheat market.. The quantity coming on to the market is quite inadeoiiate to meet the demand. It is thought that the bulk of the. changed Krmr'c- ->i lr i r.fforings will \>e very sparing from now on. Eowl wheat is in fair d< nrmd ->t rates, the value now being about 5s 6d, f.0.b.. sack* extra. The market for oats is very slack, and small lines suitable for seed or milling have been sold at 3s 6d, on trucks, country stations, whilst inferior commands 3s 3d to 3s 4d. chaff is in good demand at £4 to £4 ss, country stations. TV,",-- '* a good demand for potatoes, and several large parcels have changed hands at ' • ~-:~r »« ->n tv""lcs. country stations, for white varieties, while red varieties havo been sold at £4 15s. TEIS BREADS I'l FFS A\D PRODUCE MAKKF.TS. Friday ovoning. Tho present position in regard to wheat is tnat there is Juttio or none ottering ior tho local market, and stocks are consequently very short. Mercnants who were buying eagerly some time ago m anticipation of a poor yieid are now off the market altogetner. liOcai miners regard the situation as a very serious one, and they state tnat, unless some action is taken by tno Government to ensure a supply, they may be faced with the necessity of having to close down altogether in tho near future. Sales have also been hindered during the past week because tanners nave been wanting merchants to forgo the f.o.b. charges. Practically tho whole of the Canterbury wheat crop is being absorbed by millers in that district, and there is scarcely any comin"- forward from the south. There has been a decided weakening of the oats market during the week, and at present business is practically at a standstill, owing to a difference of opinion between merchants and growers as to values. So far as they can be gauged, quotations for A and B grade Gartons respectively are in the vicinity of 3s 8d and 3s 7d respectively, ex store. There are, however, no inquiries for shipment, and very few local buyers. Last week several thousand sacks were offering in the Gore district, but merchants were not anxious to. buy, and there was also a fair quantity offering at Inveroargill, with few buyers. The majority of the oats offering in Southland (according to one report) can at present only be classed as fair average quality, and a largo proportion will require to go into early consumption, otherwise they will deteriorate seriously.

North Island merchants seem to be well supplied, and in some case 9 are overstocked with milling Algerians. A shipment of 750 sacks has £lso been landed at Lyttelton, and has given sufficient satisfaction to induce a further shipment being asked for. According to returns received locally,* there must have been fully 35,000 sacks of Australian Algerians booked for shipment to the North Island during March anf, April. This means that there will be little or no demand for oats for the next four or five months, and the local market must bo adversely affected, as these oat 3 are being landed at'lower prices than present South Island quotations. Tho prices of flour, oatmeal, pearl barley, pollard, and bran are unchanged, the majority of these being fixed by the Government. PRODUCE REPORT. A fair amount of chaff is now coming on tho market, but the demand has also been maintained, and prices are slightly firmer :f anything. Potatoes have again weakened slightly, and are now worth about £5 per ton (ex atore) for prime table lines. Large quantities have been coming on the market from all round, especially from the south, where digging is now in full swing. Tho quality continues very good. Eggs and butter are still wanted at high prices, and bacon is in short supply. Onions are worth about £9 a ton. Current wholesale prices are as follow : Chaff.—Prime oatcn-shcaf, £5 5s to £5 10s; medium to good, £3 15s to £4 5s (sacks extra). Straw.—Oaten, £3; wheaten, £2 7s 6d. Potatoes, £5. Canterbury Onions, to 9s cwt. Eggs, Is 10d to 2s. Butter. —Milled bulk, to Is 3d per lb; dairy and separator, in lib packets. Is Id to Is 3d. Pigs.—Baconers, 7|d per lb; porkers, Bd. Bacon. —Rolls, local and Christehurch, Is 2d; Slides, Is Id; hams, Is 2d; ham rolls, Is' 3d. FRUIT REPORT. Business in the fruit market up till Easter was very good, but since the holidays it has slackened "off somewhat. Tomatoes are the chief commodity offering, and are selling well for this time of the year. Dessert apples from Nelson have had to be sold at extremely low prices owing to "bitter pit," and freight charges will not even be covered. Central Otago and Christehurch fruit, on the other hand, is very good, and is. realising high prices. The Tarawera,' which arrived on Thursday, brought a small consignment of oranges from the Islands to a bare market, and these realised very high prices. The banana market is at present in an unsatisfactory condition. The demand for this fruit is good, but owing to the want of shipping space supplies cannot be procured in any quantity. The following are the current wholesale prices:

Oranges.—Tahiti, 14s to 15s 6d per case, the latter being for repacks. Apples.—Otago Central, dessert, 2d to 3d; cooking, lid to 2d; jelly, 7s to 9s per cwt; Canterbury, 5s to 6s per case; dessert, 7s to 9s.

Peaches. —In cases, to 3d; crates, 3id to 6d. 1

Lemons.—Californian, 25a per double case; 16s 6d a half-case. Bananas. —Green Fijis, 16s .to 18s; Raroton.gan, 13s to 15s. Tomatoes. —Christchurch, outside, to 3gd per lb; rough, 2s 6d to 3s 6d per ca<se; Otago Centrals, 2gd to 4d; local hothouse, 5d to 6;jd. Cucumbers. —Local hothouse, 5s to 9s 6d per dozen; Christchurch, Is 6d per halfcase. ■ ■ Pears, Id to 3id. Better demand. Grapes, 9£d to Is 3d. Cabbages,. Is 6d to 2s per dozen; Is to 3s 6d per sack. Cauliflowers, 2s 6d to 3s 6d per sack; 2s 6d to 6s per dozen. Lettuce, od to Is per dozen. Vegetable marrows, 5s to 6s 6d per sack; cases, 3s to 4s; per dozen, 2s to 3s. Potatoes.—Local, to 93 per cwt, in cases; Taieri-grown, in sacks, 6s to 7s per cwt. Green peas, l£d to 3d for choice. Queen pineapples, lis to 14s per case. MERCHANDISE MARKETS. . Canary seed shows an advance in cost, and is now being sold at 5d per lb. The packers have advanced the price of sheep's tongues (C.M.C. tins). To-day's quotation is 18s. Cabled quotations to hand show a decided increase in the price of cotton-seed oil, which is now offering at 7s 9d to 8s per gallon. Laurel kerosene shows an increase in price of 4d per case, but the company gave their clients an opportunity of buying at the old rate. Robinson's patent groats and barley is quoted at: 3doz or more, lis 9d; less, 12s. Wilson's malt extract shows an increase. Largo plain is quoted at 28s; large in oil, 28s 6d; small plain, 16s; small in oil, 16s 6d. Irvino and Stevenson's and Gear Co.'s potted meats are quoted at 7s. Tho agents of Lifebuoy soap advise an increase of Is per case. Gilbey's dry gin is quoted at 31s for fivecase lots. Seed raisins are selling at 5s 9d to 6s. A shipment of bulk seeded raisins has arrived and is quoted at s^d. The price of starch was advanced by £2 a ton on Saturday owing to the increase in the cost of the raw materials used in its manufacture. There is every indication that prices will go even higher yet, as there are further extra freights to be reckoned with. markets FARM AND DAIRY PBODTTCE. Mr B. J. M'Abthtjb (successor to Messrs M'llroy Bros). George street, repoc*s paying for produce during the week ending tho 17th inst., as follows: -Stamped fresh Kggs | Honey (bulk), EJd lb 2/2 doz Hnney (portion), 7/- doz Salt Butter, 1/2 lb | Honey (Cartons),fi/- doz. Sep. Butter, I/IO lb | Beeswax, 1/i. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S CABLEGRAM. WELLINGTON, April 16.

Tho High Commissioner forwards tho following market report under date London, April 14. (Note: Quotations, unless otherwise specified, are average market prices on the spot.) Meat is even. Although Argentine mutton and lamb are in fair supply, the prices are higher, owing to the continued small supples of New Zealand mutton- and lamb and Australian lamb. Lower prices are being accepted for good supples of home-killed mutton. New Zealand mutton( per lb), B£d ; ewe mutton, 83d; Argentine mutton, heavyweight, 12id; light-weight, 12fdj New Zea-

land lamb, lOd; Argentine lamb, 14-Jd. Argentino chilled beef: Hinds, lid; fores. 9gd. Butter.—The following are the maximum prices fixed during tho next two weeks: Danish butter and finest New Zoaand salted (mutilated word here), 2205; Dutch creamery, Australian, Irish creamery, and American creamery, 2145; Argentine, 210 s. Tho market is easier, partly owing to good supplies. Australian and Danish salted, 204 s to 208 s; New Zealand salted, 206 s to 20Ss; unsalted, 198 sto 200 s; Australian . salted, 190 s to 1945; unsalted, 190; to 1945; Argentine salted, 186 s to 1945; unsalted. 186 sto :1945. .. ! Cheese. —Thcro is an inactive demand owing to short supplies. Canadian, 1625; .TJniled States, flats, 160 s. ! ivljiazip— Tho market is firm. Offerings (Me very'small on account of freight diffii culties. Quotations (nominal): —New Zeailand good fair, £75 10s ;fair, £72; Govern-

ment graded fair Manila, £96; Government graded coarse Manila, £79. April-Juno shipments: Good fair New Zealand, £73; fair, £7l; Government graded fair Manila, £75; coarse. £7B. Wheat.—The market is firm. The demand is greater than the supply. Australian, 85s; Canadian. 83s: Argentine, 82s. Oats.—Tho market is strong. All stocks arc advancing, and thcro is a general active demand. New Zealand, 555. Peas.—Tho market is firm, with an upward tendency. Beans.—The market is firm owing to reduced supplies. SOUTHLAND MARKET REPORT. (From Our Own Correspondent.) INVEROARGILL, April 14. Since last report prices of oats remain unchanged, but merchants are not at all keen to buy from farmers. Tho basis of purchases mado during the week are from

3s Id to 3s 2d, on trucks for "A" grade Gartons, depending on the distance from port, and correspondingly lower values from Id to 3d per bushel for lower qualities. In sympathy with oats, there is a drop in chaff from £4 10s to roughly £4 to £4 ss, but in the latter case the price quoted is only available when merchants are compelled to buy to replenish their depleted stocks. The northern demand for ryegrass still holds good, and prices have not altered to any material extent. Nico bright, clean seed at 271 b to 281 b from the mill is worth up to 5s 6d per bushel, lower weights in proportion. A limited quantity of inferior and damaged seed has been offering during the week, but without response from buyers. Very little has been doing in Italian, either in purchases from farmers or in the way of reselling to northern houses, and the prospects for this seed are rather poorer than they have been in the past; 4s 6d a

bushel is quite a good prico for really nice well-marked lines, on trucks at country sidings. An odd line or two of nice Timothy has been offering, and good business has resulted at from to 6d, on trucks at growers' sidings. A few lines of rye corn have come on the market during the last fortnight, and have been disposed of at from 4s 6d to 4s lCd per bushel, according to quality, on trucks at the various sidings.

OAMARU MARKETS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) _ , „ OAMARU, April 14. Iho holidays have again interfered with the oourso of business, and there is little to report. In the grain market offerings of wheat from the country continue on a small scale, the largest transactions reaching only 700 sacks in mixed lines and about 500 in straight lines of velvet and red chaff, but most of the business done has been in smaller parcels. The oats market is at a standstill with a weaker tone, because of tho uncertainty as to future seed lines. Gar tons are in request, but there is none coming" forward, itho only sale reported during the week being one of light Algerians at 3s net at a country station. There is still no life in the potato market. A few small shipments coastwise have been made, but business in that direction has not begun in earnest. Sales have been few and of small price—£4 10s net on trucks. GRAIN AND PRODUCE SALES. Messrs Donald Reid and Co. report:— Oats: The market has been in a quieter stat'e during the past week, and only prime to choice hues- of millinsr and seed oats have had any attention. Medium feed and inferior lines have not been in favour, anc these have been difficult to place at a reduction on. lute values. Prime milling, 3s 8d to 3s 9d; good to best iced, 3s od to 3s 7d; inferior to medium, 3s 3d to 3s 5d per bushel (sacks extra). Wheat: The quantity on otter is small. Prime milling lots are readily taken by millers at full Government valuation, and seed lines are scarce. Fowl wheat is offering in moderate quantities and sells at 5s 6d to 5s 8d per bushel for best whole wheat. Potatoes: Consignments . are coming forward more freely: The general quality of the crop this season is exceptionally good, and few faulty lots have come on the market. The quantity on offer is gradually increasing, as digging proceeds, and values have slackened to some extent in, consequence. Prime table potatoes, £5 to £5 ss; medium, £4 10s to £4 15s per ton (sacks included), ex store. Chaff: Heavier supplies are arriving. Many consignments are of only medium quality, for which the demand is not strong, even at reduced prices. Prime oaten sheaf finds ready buyers, and for this class values are well maintained. Best oaten sheaf, £5 10s to £5 15s; medium to good, £5 to £5 ss; light and discoloured, £4 to £4 15s per ton (bags extra). Messrs Dalgety and Co. report:—Oats: The market is quiet, and buyers arc prepared to operate only at lower values. The only lines in request are those fit for milling and seed requirements. The bulk of tho oats offering of late are of medium quality and difficult to place. Prime milling, 3s 8d to 3s 9d; good to best feed, 3s 5d to 3s 7d; medium to good, 3s 2d to 3s 4d per bushel (sacks extra). "Wheat: Very little milling wheat is offering. Millers are keen buyers of any suitable lines at maximum Government rates. Fowl wheat is in very short supply, and readily quitted on arrival at 5s 6d to 5s 8d per bushel (sacks extra), in small quantities for local requirements. Potatoes : Consignments have been coming forward freely during the past week, and sales aro more difficult to effect at late rates. The demand is confined to choice quality lines, which find buyers at £5 to £5 ss. Medium to good, £4 10s to £'! 15s per ton (sacks in). Chaff: During' the past week heavier supplies have come forward, tho bulk of which was medium quality. Choice heavy oaten sheaf is in most request, and consignments of this description are readily dealt with on arrival. Medium quality and inferior lines are difficult to quit. Best oaten sheaf, £5 5s to £5 10s; choice lines, to £5 15s; medium, to good, £4 10s to £5 per ton (sacks in). CLEARING SALE. Messrs Stronach, Morris, and Co. report having held a most successful clearing sale of dairy cows at Leith Valley on Thursday on account of Mr C. Harris. Buyers were present from. Cliristchurch, Cromwell, Taieri, Waikouaiti, and surrounding districts. Tho cows, 26 in number, were in good condition, and under keen competition sold at up to £ls 10s, and heifers to £l3 ss. OTAGO FARMERS' HORSE BAZAAR. The Otago Farmers Co-operative Association of New Zealand (Ltd.) report:—Our weekly horse sale was held in our bazaar on Saturday, when wo had. an entry of 40 horses. . With the exception of six or seven fair draughts, the whole of the entry consisted of light horses and aged draughts. A large number of horses changed stables, but the bidding was very dull and prices low. "Quotations: Good young draught mares, £22 to £26; superior young draught geldings, fit for shaft or lorry work, to £3O; ordinary draught mares and geldings, £l7 to £2O; aged draughts, to £l2; good upstanding vanners at from £lB to £35; ordinary spring-carters, at from £ls to £2O; upstanding buggy mares and geldings, £9 to £ls; hacks and ponies, £4 to £B. PROPERTY SALES. Messrs Park, Reynolds (Limited) offered at their rooms on the 12th the balance of sections unsold in Wharfdale township, North- East Harbour. The sale was without reserve, and attracted a considerable amount of attention. The whole of the 17 sections submitted were sold to various buyers at the following figures:—Section 17, £6l; section 65. £4l; section 66, £36; section 39, £l9; sections 41 and 43, £lB each; section 42. £2l; section 67, £2O; section 68 £25; sections 77 and 78, £43 10s each; and sections 101 to 106, for £lO2.

Messrs Park, Reynolds (Ltd.) offered by auction on Monday at their rooms the late Mr Andrew Anderson's property at Forbury Park, St. Clair. Slection 1 and part of section 2, containing 30.48 poles, with a house of four rooms and outbuildings, was sold at £450 to Mr H. F. Titchener. Section 4 (vacant),, containing 26.83 poles, went to Mr W. Barnes for £IBO. Section 5, containing a six-roomed house and 30.27 poles, fell to the bid of Mr O. J. Moody, at £6OO. Section 6, containing 33 poles and a sevenroomed house, was sold to Mrs Marion C. Brown at £605. There was a capital attendance, and-the bidding throughout was brisk for all the lots.