CLEANING TOMATO HOUSES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 108, 8 May 1937, Page 6 (Supplement)

CLEANING TOMATO HOUSES.

As the tomato plants finish bearing the plants should be pulled up :»nd burnt. The question must then be considered whether the soil is to be wheeled out and new added, whether the soil is to be sterilised or just left as it is. There may be eases where the latter method is satisfactory but they are few and tomato growing under glass needs new soil or a sterilised soil each season. Where there is plenty of new soil to be obtained the renewing of the soil may be the simplest method. When preparing the soil add a fair admixture of lime rubble broken up to about the size of peanuts. All glass and woodwork should be thoroughly cleaned with warm water and soap and washed down with a solution of disinfectant applied with a spray pump. After cleaning a good coat of paint will act as a preservative as well as a cleansing method. This should be done before the soil is renewed or sterilised. After the cleaning of the structure and renewing of the soil it is advisable to tightly closo the house and give it a fumigating with a strong insecticide. This may 0 seem needless precaution but at this stage when the house is empty, any method by which the house can be cleaned is worthwhile work.