§ Sir P. Hannonasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the publication by the Rothamsted Experimental Station of a brochure entitled "Fertilizer Policy in Wartime," 1709W in which emphasis is laid on the deficiency of nitrogen in the soil of this country; whether he has any information as to how much more nitrogenous fertilisers are used by continental farmers than are applied in Great Britain; and whether the dressings of sulphate of ammonia are receiving encouragement at the instance of war agricultural committees?
Mr. HudsonThe answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative; as to the second part, I understand that the rate of application of nitrogenous fertilisers in some Continental countries is appreciably greater than in Great Britain as a whole; but such comparisons are apt to be misleading owing to wide differences in the livestock population per acre, in the proportion of clover leys and in the soil conditions. As to the third part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 6th March to a similar question by the hon. Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère).
§ Mr. Lambertasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can increase the supplies of phosphates and potash in Devonshire, as, without these fertilisers, the farmers cannot comply with the orders of the county war agricultural committee to grow potatoes?
Mr. HudsonThe available supplies of phosphate and potash have been distributed throughout the country this season as evenly as possible, taking into account the demand for these fertilisers in respect of particular crops and soils. As regards potash the supply is very limited and it is not possible to make any special allocation to Devonshire, though that county will continue to receive its share of the potassic fertilisers that may become available. As regards phosphatic fertilisers additional supplies have been made available in Devonshire.