y68 



Notes on Agriculture Abroad. [dec, 



at Warsaw (Mr. C. Clive Bayley) on the trade of Poland (F.O. Reports, 

 Annual Series, No. 4567) gives the following information respecting 

 the consumption of fertilisers in Poland : — 



The rise in the consumption of artificial manures in Poland was 

 even greater in 1909 than in 1908, and, as the local works could not 

 supply enough superphosphate, large quantities were imported from 

 Germany. Basic slag, nitrate of soda, potassium salts, and sulphate 

 of ammonia were also sold in very much larger quantities than during 

 the previous year. The price of superphosphate was i\A. per 1 per 

 cent, of soluble phosphoric acid in 100 lb., delivered free at any station 

 in Poland. In those districts situated near the frontier, German super- 

 phosphate was imported from Silesia and Posen, and could success- 

 fully compete with the local works owing to the easy means of supply 

 by the numerous railway lines leading to the Russian frontier. The 

 importation of British superphosphate, which would have to be of a 

 high grade, is possible. The agricultural societies of Poland imported 

 all basic slag from Belgium. Some of it was imported in a raw 

 condition and ground in local mills. The price of basic slag was i-fad. 

 per 1 per cent, of phosphoric acid soluble in citric acid in 100 lb. 

 delivered free at any station in Poland. There is a large opening 

 for the sale of British basic slag in Poland, provided it is of a high 

 grade. Prices should be quoted c.i.f. Dantzig or Stettin, and credit 

 must be given. 



Potash Production in Germany. — A law has been passed, dated May 

 25th, to establish compulsorily a syndicate of all the works in Germany 

 which are to be allowed to produce potash. The annual output of 

 potash by this syndicate, and the quotas of the separate works belong- 

 ing to it, are to be fixed by an authority appointed for the purpose. 

 A scale of maximum prices is fixed for the home market, to remain in 

 force until the end of 1913 ; after that date the maximum prices are to 

 be fixed every five years by the Bundesrat. Except with the permission 

 of the Bundesrat, prices for sales and deliveries abroad must not be 

 lower than those fixed for the home market. The law is to remain in 

 force until the end of 1925. — [Board of Trade Journal, August 4th, 1910.] 



Use of Electric Power in Germany. — The report on the trade and 

 commerce of Pomerania for the year 1909 (F.O. Reports, Annual 

 Series, No. 4517) states that during the last few years electric central 

 power stations have been erected in various parts of the province of 

 Pomerania for supplying electric current to neighbouring towns, 

 villages, estates, and farms. 



These electric works are principally controlled by associations formed 

 by landed proprietors, and sums have been voted by the Provincial 

 Representative Chamber to assist these undertakings. Great value has 

 been attached to supplying small farmers and artisans living in the 

 country with electric light and power at a cheap rate. In many cases 

 whole villages and small towns have been linked up with the central 

 power stations. 



The steady increase of wages and communal and social taxes has 

 compelled farmers to work more economically. Should it therefore be 

 possible to increase and develop these stations by means of cheap 

 water power, the agricultural districts will no doubt greatly benefit 

 thereby. The practical application of electricity has latterly made such 



