156 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE). 



g^ve more attention to it agriculturally. One of our daily 

 papers in an editorial took exception to the farmers engaging 

 in business, and practically advised them to go back to the farm 

 and raise more and better crops and market these crops through 

 the city man. The editor had in mind only the old methods of 

 our fathers and our grandfathers and forgot that all lines of 

 trade had progressed and the man who followed the old methods 

 would meet with misfortune. 



THE POTASH SITUATION. 



It is a well known fact that Germany is practically our only 

 source of supply along potash lines. Before war was declared 

 in Europe about one-third of the American contracts had been 

 delivered. In addition there was quite a large tonnage left 

 over from the season of 1913, making the total tonnage nearly 

 half the normal supply. The various manufacturers met at 

 Philadelphia and agreed upon the percentage of potash they 

 would furnish the farmers. Maine was allowed a 4 per cent 

 mixture, while other sections were given a 3 per cent and still 

 others a 2 per cent. 



The usual analyses sold in Maine are a 4-8-7, 4-6-10, 4-8-10 

 and 5-8-7. These analyses were changed to a 4-8-4 and a 

 5-8-4. It will be understood that w^hatever potash was deliv- 

 ered before the war started cost the manufacturers the usual 

 price. However, the scarcity of the article in question natu- 

 rally increased the market value of the potash, and prices 

 advanced rapidly, reaching $100 per ton in a short time. The 

 prices charged were based upon the market value and there- 

 fore the farmers were called upon to pay very high for their 

 fertilizer. In 191 3 the companies sold a 5-8-7 at $33.00 cash. 

 In 1914 they sold a 5-8-4 at $36.00 cash. While the actual 

 value of a 5-8-4 is $6.00 less than a 5-8-7, the farmers were 

 called upon to pay $3.00 more for a 5-8-4 this season than they 

 paid for a 5-8-7 last season, making the value of a 5-8-7 this 

 season $42.00. 



In accordance with the value of the plant food contained in 

 the mixtures the farmers had to pay an advanced price of $6.00 

 per ton, and figuring from the total estimated tonnage used 

 in the state, amounting to 200,000 tons, then the unfortunate 

 potash situation cost the farmers of Maine about $1,000,000.00. 



