BRITISH EXPERT MARKET GARDENERS

Chronicle (Levin), 4 July 1946, Page 7

BRITISH EXPERT MARKET GARDENERS

^ Corresiioudent.)

(Special

LOXDOX, July 2. So inipressed is Mr. B. V. t.'ooksley with horticultural conditions in the Fuited Kingdom that he intends to re mai n for a further fortnight after the ■ New Zealand fanners' party returns to tlie Homiuion. "Tlie Brilisli are expcrt market gardeners, " said Mr. Gooksley. ' ' Tliey uave a potential market for 40,000,00u people and tliey have adverse weathei conditions to meet. Tliese two factors influeiice theni in attaining a very higti standard. ' ' Klr. Gooksley intends visiting Edin burgli to inquire into the production of cabbage seeds. lie a|su intemk going to Glasgow which, with a popula iion of 2,000,000 has extensive market gardens. Ile will -also visit the Glies- ; iiuut experimeiital station • t'o inquire i into tlie potussium magnesium balance. j There is, he says, a fairly prevaleni magnesium deiiciency in English soils, lespecially in areas under glass and the I [uestion wtis being studied at Glieshunt. ! Klr. Gooksley has already visit ed the Lee Valley, near Worthing, and Bedfordsliire, one of the niost intensive market gardening areas in Britain. At the request of the Xew Zeuland Governiiient, he inspected au alleoncrete glassliouse at Wor.thing. He is making a report for the Government and romarked tliat he thought tlie concrete eould be used 111 Xew Zea land.

Klr. Gooksley has also seen- experi mcnts relating to soil sterilisatioii whieli are being carried 011 under frames. Tliis is quite a new develop riicnt and is designoil to ' climinale weeds and improve the availability of uiaiiures. He has also seen new insecticidcs which appear capable of control ling tlie red spider. Klr. Gooksley is making a report to (lie Xew Zealaand market gardening industry on his inquirics in the L'nited States.