EXPLOSIVES IN AGRICULTURE

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15919, 3 May 1912, Page 10

EXPLOSIVES IN AGRICULTURE

An experiment that is surrounded by great possibilities in connection with agricultural scientific research has been commenced on the property of a wellknown northern farmer, Mr Charles White, of East-field, near Launcestdni It has special reference to deep cultivation such 'as subsoiling and trenching, and it is sought to obtain the object in view by an explosive'system, .aa recommended by American agricultural scientists. For the purposes of corijparison, a square chain of average land was marked off, arid this was treated to a depth of 3ft by boring holes Bft apart on the triangular system, and in these half, plugs of gelignite were exploded. So far as it has gone, tho experiment has proved a complete success, subsequent investigation showing that the whole of the soil within the square chain and for a distance of v sft or 6ft without had been thoroughly opened and. broken .up... The. principal objects sought are complete aeration of the soil, as well as a more retentive state so far as moisture capacity is concerned. The area operated on will form portion of a wheat field, and comparisons are to be made with an untreated area of similar dimensions. It' is interesting to note that the site of this experiment was previously portion-, of the area on which Mr Frank Maddox's how wcrld-fained wheat experimental work was conducted over a quarter of a century ago.