Nov. 2, 1908.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S. W, 903 



General. 



Mr. Staples says : " My experience with fowls began wlien I was a boy, 

 and I have kept them ever since. I liave made a living from them for 

 myself and family for many years, but not without hard work. To be 

 successful in pouItryd\eeping one must have experience, plenty of energy, 

 and no fear of work. A man that has experience and is not afraid of 

 h)ng hours, seven days in the week, can always make a living from fowls. 

 I would not advise anyone to start poultry-farming who knows nothing 

 about it, for if they have any cash they will soon lose it." 



In the February, 1908, Gazette, a large poultry farm at Manly was 

 descril)fd, and the methods which made it a profitable establishment. 

 This one at Belniore is of considerably less dimensions, and the methods 

 different, yet the owner has reared a large family on it, all showing that 

 there is no hard-and-fast rule in managing fowls. 



Hatching, rearing, feeding, and marketing niay be all different and 

 .successful withal. 



The Use of Nitrate of Potash as Manure. 



Orciiardists who have been using nitrate of potash with sulphate of ammonia 

 and superphosphates as manures in their orchards are somewhat concerned 

 at the higher prices which are now being asked for the nitrate of potash, and 

 incjuiries have been made of the Department of Agriculture, as to 

 whether an equivalent can be used in the form of sulphate of potasti with 

 nitrate of soda or sulphate of ammonia. 



For their information 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 per ton. 



Mr. Guthrie states that 1 cwt. of pure nitrate of potash contains 52 lb. of 

 potash, and 15| lb. of nitrogen. A mixture of 1 cwt of sulphate of potash 

 and 95 lb. (or practically 1 cwt.) of nitrate of soda, will provide these quan- 

 tities. The cost of a mixture of 1 cwt. of sulphate of potash and 1 cwt. of 

 nitrate of soda will be £1 5s. 9d., as against £1 10s., the cost of 1 cwt. of 

 nitrate of potash. 



The unit values are as follow : — 



Nitrogen — -in nitrate of soda, at £12 5s. per ton ... 15 - 

 Potash — in sulphate of potash, at £13 10s. per ton ... 5/2 



If we estimate 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 the 

 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 Department is now making inquiries to ascertain whether a supply of 

 nitrate of potash can be obtained in large quantities for the use of Fruit- 

 growers' Unions and others wishing to import large quantities direct, at a 

 cheaper rate than the one now quoted. 



