FRUIT NOTES - December, 1941 



V;. H. Thies 

 Extension Horticulturist 



The Fertilizer Situation 



The situation on fertilizer supplies for 1942 indicates a definite 

 shortage of certain nitrogen materials, possibly some curtailment or delay- 

 in supply of other items, and some increase in price of all ingredients ex- 

 cept for lime. Priority demands for large amounts of nitro£:en for munitions 

 use, and the interruption of normal shipping facilities by boat to routes 

 by rail are factors which add uncertainty as to supply and which, along with 

 rising costs of bags and labor, add to the price, 



NITROGEN materials are likely to be limited in supply of certain items, 

 at least until the fall of 1942 when several new nitrogen plants are ex- 

 pected to be in operation. Cyanamid promises not over l/5 the normal 

 supply costing at least ;i:10 more per ton. Agricultural Urea is mostly 

 diverted to munitions use, with probably none available for farmer use. 

 Nitrate .of Soda remains available for farmer use, but at curtailed amounts, 

 costing ITlcely upwards of $5 or more a ton, Sulpliate of Ammonia gives 

 promise of being available in largest amount, "showing the" least increase 

 in cost and is suggested as the principal nitrogen material for farmer use. 

 Natural organic nitrogen carriers are high in price, with soy bean meal 

 possibly the least expensive of this form of plant food, 



PHOSPHATE supplies are being seriously affected by transportation problems. 

 S uperphosphate (16-20^) material appears most drastically affected by 

 transportation problems to a point where many local distributors at present 

 are unable to quote a price or be assured of further requirements. Triple 

 Superphosphate will probably be available in about the same amounts as 

 last season, at an increased cost over $2 per ton. ¥ihile this material 

 v;ill probably be the cheapest source of phosphoric acid the supply is 

 limited we understand and some distributors may not have it. Ammophos 

 will not be available for supply, Steai.ied Bone meal supplies are short, 

 quoted about vl6 or higher per ton, and the supply of Precipitated Bone 

 is short. 



POTASH supplies of high grade are more favorable for the Northeast and 

 may be adequate for the spring trade at perhaps only a slight increase in 

 cost. Supplies of the higher grades for the country in general, however, 

 may be short, occasioned by a 4-montli strike and may necessitate substi- 

 tution of lower grade manurt, salts. 



MIXED FERTILIZER goods are bting quoted at least by some distributors at 

 reasonable increases ranging up to about ■i.S a ton. The increased cost of 

 some tobacco grades may be double this. 



Vife assume that local distributors may have reasonable stocks on hand 

 for early spring requirements. Nevertheless, we urge planning now for antici- 

 pated farm requirements and early placement of fertilizer orders to insure 

 priority in supply. R. W. Donaldson 



