IS BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [P. D. 4. 



With these conditions facing us, it is even more apparent that 

 farmers have got to use all the substitutes for fertilizers which 

 they can devise. A careful saving of all animal manures, with 

 leaves and other refuse composted with the same, and turned 

 over often enough to prevent fire-fanging, will help; while 

 those farmers near the seacoast should make use of all sea- 

 weeds and fish which they can obtain. Soiling crops must be 

 resorted to more than ever, and a greater use of muck or peat 

 should be made. Indeed, this latter suggestion is one which 

 should be taken more seriously than ever before. Peat dug this 

 winter and treated with lime at the rate of 200 pounds of lime 

 per ton of peat will make a fair addition of humus and slight 

 percentages of potash and nitrogen to our soils at a very low 

 cost. The enormous quantities of peat in the State should be 

 utilized to the greatest possible extent. 



At this time attention is seriously called to the use of sewage 

 and mill waste for fertilizers, and the great difficulty which has 

 always been experienced in the application of this waste 

 product, and also of the bad effect of the grease contained 

 therein. The attention of our scientists should be directed 

 toward eliminating these difficulties. We now know that tons 

 upon tons of potash and nitrogen daily pass through our 

 sewers which, if their recovery could be made of practical value, 

 would be one of the best sources of fertilizer. 



Another phase of the fertilizer question should not be lost 

 sight of at this time. Excessive demand for a commodity 

 unless the price is regulated by the government, always tends 

 to raise the price. The demand for fertilizers in 1917 so de- 

 pleted the stock that in anticipation of an equal demand in 

 1918 prices must of necessity be affected. 



Much of the fertilizer used in 1917 by amateur gardeners was 

 wasted. To allow this condition to occur in 1918 would be a 

 calamity. It would, therefore, be advisable for the national 

 government to see that the farmers are first supplied with 

 fertilizer, and in order to accomplish this result no fertilizer 

 should be sold to other than farmers until after April 1. 



Certain fertilizer manufacturers aver that fertilizer prices are 

 not as high in comparison as the prices of farm products. In 

 other words, as one fertilizer firm puts it, "Prices are con- 



