asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state what supplies of sulphate of ammonoia, nitrate of soda, sulphate of potash, muriate of potash, superphosphate of lime and basic slag will be available next spring; and what the analysis of the standard compound fertiliser will be.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Supplies of Fertilisers.
The prospects of obtaining sulphate of ammonia and sulphate of potassium are uncertain. Nitrate of soda and basic slag will not be available. A small quantity of muriate of potash for the flax crop has been obtained in recent years and it is expected that a similar quantity will be available for the coming season. I hope there will be more superphosphate for distribution in 1946 than in 1945, but until the shipments of raw materials are completed it will be impossible to state what quantity will be available for distribution. The analysis of any compound fertiliser will depend on the raw materials available and information on this point cannot be given at present.
Would the Minister convery to his colleague, when his colleague comes back from whatever trip he is on at present, an inquiry as to whether he would consider directing the manure manufacturers to incorporate in the standard compound fertiliser traces of boron and magnesium and the other trace elements which have been exhausted in the soil during the last few years, and which are of such microscopic proportions that they could be incorporated in the compound fertiliser without injury to soils in which in fact there was no deficiency?
I will convey the Deputy's suggestion to the Minister, but I doubt whether the cost would be justified.
Would the Minister say whether it is hoped to get any kainite from France in the coming season?
I am not in a position to state that.