TREATMENT OF SOIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 130, 5 June 1933, Page 3

TREATMENT OF SOIL.

STERILISATION BY STEAM. INTRODUCED IN CANTERBURY. Soil sterilisation on a large scale by the use of steam has been introduced to Christchurch on the property of Mr. C. E. Pope, at St. Martins, and there was a representative gathering of tomato growers and others interested to inspect the plant in operation. Valuable both as an insecticide and a fungicide, steam sterilisation has made a steady advance in the favour of progressive tomato growers during recent years, and the method employed is very interesting. This particular plant is one of the largest operating in New Zealand, states "The Press." Particularly adapted to sterilisation in crlasshouses, there seems to be a distinct possibility of the method of using steam replacing those previously in

vogue. ~ , . , Both insect ujirl fungoid posts in glasshouses in which tomatoes arc grown commercially are so prevalent that crrowers must wage a ceaseless war against them in order to reap satisfactory returns, and several methods have been employed in past years. Ihe best known are the injecting of carbon bisulphide—purely an insecticide and treatment using formalin, which is watered into the soil, lormalin is a fungicide, but its application is costly— approximately £12 for treatment of one large house. . Steam has been applied in many ways. In one method the steam is passed through pipes arranged in the form ot harrow's. Another includes the use of a tvpe of "lid on to which the soil is shovelled. However, trials of various methods made by a prominent South Canterbury grower proved tnat the was that using a rectangular inverted pan into which the steam is forced.