STERILISING OF SOIL.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20026, 6 September 1930, Page 5

STERILISING OF SOIL.

ACCIDENTAL DISCOVERY.

HINT FOR THE SMALL GROWEU

Soil sterilisation, said Dr. Bewley, of the Clieshunt Research Station, at Hammersmith recently, in the course of an address to the Professional Gardeners' Association, is a coming thing, not only in the commercial, but the privato establishments of the country. Tho value of it was discovered by accident by Sir John Russell, who inado many experiments, and proved that plants are healthier and grow better in sterilised soils. Steam is largely used by many growers and baking can also be used. There aro many ways in which the small grower can sterilise soil, either by baking it or steaming.

The chief object of sterilising is to get rid of the fungi that infests soils and to euro sickness of soil, which is produced in many ways, such as by high manuring, by water, by high temperature, or by too little air. There is also chemieal sickness, all of which helps the bacteria fungi to get out of balance. By steaming or baking at a temperature of 210 to 212 degrees F., such sickness can be cured, and the soil made lit for plants to thrive. It destroys all the soft body organisms, but the hard body type was not hurt by sterilising, and it is through ammonia-forming bacteria that the health and growth of tho plant is promoted.

Tho soil for sterilising should be in good condition, not too wet, or too dry; a soil fit to pit with is about right. Points to remember are to use a good thermometer, to sterilise thoroughly and to guard against reinfection in storing such soil. A fairly choap volatile antiseptic, as a soil steriliser, is stated to be formaldehyde, in tho proportion of one gallon to 50 gallons of water to cover an area of 12 square yards.

COMBATING PESTS. Fruit trees call for immediate spraying. If red oil has not been applied during the winter months it may be used with safety on apples and pears for the control of woolly aphis, red mito and scale insects, at the rate of one pint to ten pints of water. Whero growth has started lime sulphur should be used. It can bo obtained in liquid form from seedsmen for the control of leafy curl of tho peach, powdery mildew of tho apple, blacl* spot of the applo and pear, and brown rot of tho peach and nectarine. It should be used when the leaf buds are bursting, at the rq,tc of one pint to fen pints of water, and later, when the bloom is showing pink, at the rate of one pint to 35 pints of water. After the fruit has set, which will bo in October, the same mixture should be used at the rate of one pint to 80 pintß of water. In the case of apples arid pears, arsenate of lead should bo added to control codlin moth. After these three sprays have been carefully attended to the pests that are so prevalent in Canterbury will be held in check; Spraying Apparatus. Naturally, for spraying purposes an efficient apparatus is required so that it <will produce a fine mist or spray. The trees must be thoroughly wetted. Lime sulphur does not control woolly aphis. Where this is apparent by the knots on the fruit trees, red oil, one cup to three of water, should be applied with a stiff brush. During the growing season if fresh colonies aro established the oil mixture may be substituted by methylated spirits applied with a brush. At the end of September the rose is producing leaves freely, especially the climbing variety, and it is here that the early infestation of green fly commences. It can bo controlled _if promptly sprayed with an insecticide, of which there are several brands.

ANOTHER SORE THROAT. Nothing is so good as Fluenzol _ for killing germs, soothing inflammation, and clearing up ulceration. Gargle daily for influenza and tickling coughs. Fluenzol is very soothing and pleasant to use. Buy a bottle of Fluenzol today and line up the family for a daily gargle.