Random reminder

Press, 10 April 1978, Page 26

Random reminder

FEAST OR FAMINE

This summer’s drought in North Canterbury, though very serious to the farming industry, could not march the disaster which occurred in the agrarian sector of the back-yard of a well-known resident in an equally v-’-known Christchurch suburban Mr D. Edward Head, resident of Seven Oaks Drive and employee of the Maimairi Tussock Board, recently acclaimed as "Grubber of the Year.” (he has a Feltex award to prove it), sustained a set-back which has reduced to z-.lch his reputation as a green thumb Right in the middle of his vegetable garden, otherwise resplendent with i.-h and verdant growth, there lies a large barren area — a vitua! Sahara — mate testimony to a dreadful failU.v m this season’s carrot ciop. Last September Edward was ob‘trved preparing this patch with a

vast array of natural and scientific k stimulants to produce a crop of what must inevitably result in almost-bionic - carrots. i First of all there was sand to mix ’ into the seed bed to render the slightly i heavv soil more friable, then lime was liberally applied to neutralise any F acidity. The rows were then carefully : measured and trenched, with phos- - phate applied for growth. This was ? followed by diazinon — a chemical to - control fly. and every fourteen days a ) nitrogen -based liquid manure was applied— also to stimulate growth. ? It became, however, after a period i of increasingly anxious days and then a weeks, very obvious that there was, a and never would be any growth, and -Edward awoke screaming in the middle of one summer’s night with a - dreadful realisation. a He had forgotten to plant the seed.