DIGGING WITH GELIGNITE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 857, 28 December 1929, Page 26

DIGGING WITH GELIGNITE

Blasting holes with gelignite for the planting of ajsple trees is a process the possibility of which will surprise large numbers of people. It has been carried out on an extensive scale at Dartington, near Tatnes, Devon, on a field of 12 acres, for an orchard of more than 300 trees. Mr. Daniel Manning, the Devon County Council's horticultural superintendent, supervised the task. The necessity for blasting arose from the existence less than a foot : below the surface of what is known as a “hard pan" of almost rock-like soil, caused by the treading of horses and men and the passage of implements during generations of ploughing. At the time of blasting it is essential that the soil is thoroughly dry. If there be any clay in it, and that in a moist state, the action of the explosion would be merely to compress it. A very dry winter gave Mr. Manning his opportunity to. save an immense amount of labour with a crowbar, pickaxe, and shovel, and also to shatter the hard pan over a wider area than could have been effected by any other process, and give a proper run for the roots. Holes 2ft Gin deep were bored in the places where the trees were to be planted, and a charge of gelignite put down. The venture was highly successful.