SOIL AND PLANT GROWTH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16452, 14 June 1921, Page 4

SOIL AND PLANT GROWTH.

LECTOR E TO FRUITGROWERS.. The second of a series of lectures under the auspices of the Canterbury Fruitgrowers’ Association was given last evening by Air F. E. Ward, instructor in agriculture- who took as his subject. “ Soil in Relation to Plant Growth.” Mr F. W. Cone presided, and there was an attendance ol between sixty and seventy. Mr Ward dealt with his subject in an interesting and comprehensive manner. He showed what was tho relation of plant growth to soils, and dealt fully with the facts governing the fertility and texture of soils. He also dealt with tho germination of seeds and shewed what was the action of moisture .in soils, and explained the methods Fy which moisture could be conserved. Referring to plant foods. Mr Ward said that these foods should contain thirteen elements, the chief of which were nitrogen, potash and phosphoric acid. He said that phosphoric acid was very necessary for Canterbury soils, and that it should be made available more cheaply than at present. The lecture was illustrated by n number of slides showing plant growth in different soils, diagrams illustrating the results obtained from the. use and also the lack of different manures. and charts illustrative of soil fertility. Mr Ward answered a. number < f questions. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to- the lecturer.