SAWDUST AS A MANURE

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23444, 26 September 1941, Page 10

SAWDUST AS A MANURE

Sir,—While not advocating the general use of sawdust as a manure for agricultural purposes, I do suggest that, used with discretion, it would be most beneficial under certain conditions. Many years ago. while travelling the Auckland district, it was my duty to visit the strawberry gtowers, and lor the first time I was astounded to learn that pine needles were much used as a mulch, between the rows or lines of the plants; and in no instance did I hear of any complaints that the pine needles were injurious to the ground or the strawberries. Here in Canterbury we use straw for similar purposes. it being most plentiful. Personally, I have had very fair results by striking “cuttings” of certain shrubs in pure sawdust (no soil whatever) in a heap on the open ground, by keeping it moist in dry weather. The cuttings rooted quite satisfactorily for planting out. I would suggest that in gardens where the ground is heavy, cold, or wet, an application of sawdust would be very beneficial in many w9ys. No doubt there are many varieties of opinions on this matter, and scientific investigation would be most acceptable at the present time, there being a shortage of general manures. I would like to mention that there being several varieties of the “pinus” family, it would be necessary to classify them in an investigation. The sawdust used by me was obtained from a Papanui sawmill, and may have been from one or more varieties. In conclusion, it might be of interest to have the opinion of your gardening correspondent on the matter.—Yours, etc., JAS. HILL. Belfast, September 25, 1941.