SALT V. LIME

Evening Star, Issue 21748, 16 June 1934, Page 25

SALT V. LIME

Now that every gardener has a quantity of vegetable refuse (weeds, autumn leaves, etc.), which he desires to convert into a more or less soluble compost, the value of salt as an aid to decomposition might be more widely appreciated. Lime has undoubted virtues m the preparation of a vegetable compost, but it has its drawbacks. One ol these is its effect in destroying humus, and it is an open question whether its presence is advantageous to' certain crops', of which. potatoes may he mentioned as one. Salt is much better and safer. It reduces vegetable matter to a soluble condition in a very short space of time, and that without- impoverishing one of the most' valuable elements of the compost—its humus. It is disliked by wireworm and other pests. Most vegetables appear to thrive where it is used, and it has the effect of rendering light, hot soils more retentive of moisture. Apply the salt to each layer of leaves or vegetable refuse as it is stacked. Each layer' should bo about a foot thick, and an ounce of salt to each square foot of surface should be applied to each layer. If the leaves or refuse is dug directly into a trench, sprinkle with the salt, using about an ounce to a space of two or three square feet.—Auckland ‘ Star.