STEAMING OF SOIL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 215, 30 May 1918, Page 8

STEAMING OF SOIL

AN AID TO PRODUCTIVENESS. In an appendix to a paper on the advantages to be gained by the co-opera-tive care of bowling greens, the Wellington Bowling Centre is circulating an iuteresting little paper by Mr. G. A. Chapman, of the Lower Hun, regarding a new way of destroying the noxious in 6oil.

Mr. Chapman says: "Soroo sixteen years ago, in order to beautify my home,' I took to growing pot plants, but notwithstanding tho pains taken, tho result was anything but satisfactory, the product being little belter than that grown elsewhere. On examination of tho eoil in the pots by a magnifying glass 1 found it alive with animal matter, mostly eel worm, which live on the fihrea of roots. I then (in a primitive way) subjected the soil to heat by steaming—after which at any flower show at which I exhibited the result was a foregone conclusion. Not only does steaming the soil destroy all enemic9 to plant life, but it also destroys all weed seeds (gorse excepted), and makes the soil more fertile, therefore considerably less 19 required. Mr. Waugh, nurseryman, of tho Hiitt. was quick to see. the benefit obtained by steaming soil, and ha erected a plant capable of treating Urge quantities. When the matter ono day, he mentioned that it saved him one person's labour, besides allowing him to produce a better article. Severnl other nurserymen have since adopted the method. Were bowling clubs to so treat their soil for top-dressing they would have a better green at much less cost. _ "Horse and cow manure, which in many cases can bo had for the carting, can be treated in tho same rnar.ner, and is, in my opinion, tho best of all manures. I believe many greens are ruined by the excessive use of artificial manures, which is quite a different matter when used on land that is continually being cultivated. About 75 per cent, of all the manure required for greens is obtained from the green itself in the shape of clippings, whi"h should bo thoroughly mixed with Roil intended for topdressing. Soot obtained from household chimneys is a very valuable fertiliser, containing every element necessary to plant life, but it should be used it moderation. Leaf mould, ssptemlly from deciduous trees, is nlso excellent, but like all decaying vegetable in*lttr, contains fungoid and annual matter, detrimental to plant life if not digested. Soil and manure before treatment should bo fairly dry, and afterwards kept under cover. The cost of a firsr.-cliies plant would bt, about ,£SO or it'll."