K) May. lltlT.I Artificial FerHlizi'va. 295 



ARTIFICIAL FERTILIZERS. 



Pre- War and War Cost. 



Bi/ ir. (' . Riihfrlson _ Sii pervixinij Analyst. 



Events of recent years have had a decided influence on the priqe of 

 artificial fertilizers in Victoria. 



This paper deals with the average prices of the various fertilizers in 

 common use, and the brands of which have been registered at the oflBce 

 of the Director of Agriculture during the past six years, viz., 1912-1917. 

 Occasional reference is made to the prices in 1907. 



StJPERPHOSPHATE. 



The most popular and important artificial fertilizer supplied to the 

 Victorian agriculturist is superphosphate. Probably from 85 to 90 per 

 cent, of the ai-tificial fertilizers used in Victoria consist of superphos- 

 phate, and the whole of this is of local manufacture. During tlie years 

 prior to 1912 a fair amount of sujjerjihosphate was imported. In 

 1912-13 importations practically ceased, whilst absolute cessation fol- 

 lowed the outbreak of the present lamentable war. Tlie raw materials 

 used in the manufacture of superphosphate are rock phosphate and sul- 

 phuric acid. The former is obtained from islands in the Pacific Ocean, 

 whilst the latter is nianufa-ctured at the manure factories by burning 

 sulphur or iron pyrites in a higlily technical manner, and then, after 

 complete oxidation, the resultant gas is absorbed in water and the liquid 

 concentrated, if need be. During the war, freights have beco'iie abnor- 

 mal, and naturally the price of the raw material, sulphur, has increased. 

 One would expect an increase in the price of iron pyrites also, but judg- 

 ing from the lists of registered brands there has been no rise in the 

 price of rock phosphate. Probably this raw material is bought under 

 contract. 



Calculating from the average price and average guarantee of tlie 

 various brands of superphosphates registered for the current season 

 the farmer is to receive 79 lbs. of water soluble phosphoric acid anso- 

 ciated with -1.6 lbs. of phosphoric acid in the citrate soluble and citrate 

 insoluble forms in return for everv 20s. ex)>ended in the purchase of 

 superphosphate. 



During the years 1913-14-15 the farmer received approximatelv 87 

 lbs. of water soluble phosphoric acid and 14 lbs. of phosphoric acid in 

 the other forms in exchange for every 20s. shown on the superphosphate 

 bill. 



It will therefore be seen that the inirchasing power of the sovereign, 

 as far as the purchase of superphosphate is concerned, has declined dur- 

 ing the years 1915-17. 



During the year 1907 the farmer received 103.5 Ib.s. of water soluble 

 phosphoric acid together with 8.5 lbs. of citrate soluble and citrate in- 

 soluble phosphoric acid in return for 20s. expended in the purchase of 

 this fertilizer. (See this Journal 10th February, 1913, pp. 97.) 



Tiiis means that 20s. had a purchasing power in 1907 that 26s. 6d. 

 has in 1917. 



