Gont.j-Ml A: 8 



The Economics of Soil Fumigation 



At present prices, cost of f-umigating an acre of soil with the usual 

 amount of D-D or EDB is about 35 dollars, including an allowance for 

 application. The prudent farmer sees little point in making this 

 expenditure unJ-ess he has a fair prospect of returns which will amount 

 to about four times the investment. In other words, the value of the 

 crop, over and above that which would have been obtained without fumi- 

 gation, must be four times 35 dollars, or about lIiO dollars. This is 

 not an excessive demand, but about the same sort of return the frrmcr 

 expects from fertilizer, etc. 



For example, the tobacco farmer producing 1,200 lbs. of tobacco per acre 

 without fumigation will sell his crop for an average of 55 cents per 

 poiuad, or a total of 660 dollars. By fumigating his soil he can increase 

 his crop 2S% to a total of 1,500 lbs., and sell it for 825 dollars, an 

 increase of 165 dollars, which is more than four times his investment in 

 fumigation. 



The peanut farmpt- who grows 1,200 lbs. of peanuts per acre and sells 

 them for 12 cents a pound, or ll4i; dollars, would need to increase his 

 crop nearly 100^ to realize four times his investment. Fumigation of 

 peanut soil with prospects of no more than 25^ increase would be a very- 

 poor investment. 



For purposes of rough calculation, the prospective selling price of the 

 crop from fumigated soil should be about 16 times the cost of fumigation 

 if an average increase of 25^ in crop value can be expected. ¥ith fumi- 

 gation at 35 dollars per acre, this works out to a total crop value of 

 560 dollars per acre. 



In calculating total crop values, an allowance can sometimes be made for 

 an increase in average quality as well as for increase in yield. 



About the sajne ratio between fumigation cost and total value of the crop 

 applies equally to the less expensive row fumigation. If row fumigation 

 can be done for 10 dollars per acre, it will be a good investment on 

 cx'ops selling for 160 dollars per acre . 



Another cost cutting possibility being explored is to spread the cost of 

 a single soil treatment by getting the benefits of nematode control 

 extended to two different crops planted in succession on the treated 

 land. Experiments indicate this is feasible. 



The experiment station worker or soil fumigant salesman is often asked 

 V7hether or not a particular field should be fumigated. In answering this 

 question, the first consideration should be the value of the crop to be 

 planted. Knowing approximate yields and selling prices for the crop, it 

 is possible to calculate whether or not there is any prospect that fumi- 

 gation will be a profitable investment. If the crop is not of sufficient 

 value, the farmer should be advised against the use of fumigants. 



