Grow Your Salad

Vegetables in Crushed Coral!

British Scientists 7 Aid To Atoll Dwellers

fITHE science of hydroponics—that is, X growing plants without soil—has made some progress since last we heard of it before World War 11.

An American, Dr. W. F. Gericke, orig inally introduced the system of growing plants commercially in shallow tanks containing a solution of all the inorganic salts that supply growth to a living plant.

In his method, the tanks that held the solution were covered with a wire mesh which supported the plants, and Dr. Ger icke, and American stations on barren islands out in the Pacific and Atlantic, claimed spectacular success for this form of soil-less gardening. However, there were even more conspicuous failures in this revolutionary method of cultivation and this was put down, generally, to the fact that the roots of plants so grown are continually immersed in the solu tion and do not get sufficient oxygen.

As a counter to this, a new method has been tried by British scientists, and so far with success. This is to grow the plants in sand, gravel, crushed coral, or cinders, the chemical solution being sprayed on from above at fairly frequent intervals, or pumped up mechanically from the bottom of the “garden.” When the solution drains away the plants are sufficiently aerated, but some of the solu tion remains behind to last the plants until the next application.

When hydroponics were first introduced to a sceptical world about 1937, it was claimed that this new method was

superior to growing them in good, old fashioned soil, and that eventually it would revolutionise agriculture. There was, it was claimed, no digging, no pests, no weeding and no watering. All that was necessary was a shallow tank of water, some chemicals and the necessary seeds.

However, it is doubtful if soil-less cul tivation will ever be adopted generally, except in places where lack of water and fertile soil makes ordinary gardening im possible.

Experiments have already been made with success at RAF stations in the Middle East and in the Persian Gulf area, where fresh vegetables are unpro curable. The new methods should be admirable on Pacific atolls, where there is plenty of decomposed coral but very little else. The original “wet” method was being tried out in the Gilbert and Ellice Colony in 1941, and no doubt those who again find their lot cast among the Line isles will be anxious to try the newest method of getting some variety into their standard diet of cans, fish and coconuts.

After 40 years’ service with the Fiji Government, Mr. W. M. Caldwell retired at the begining of August. He had reached retiring age at the outbreak of war but agreed to stay on until he could be replaced. He began his Service career as a postal clerk and retired as Assistant Commissioner for Island Revenue.

Flight Lieutenants Ron Crook and Tim Nicholls. of the RAF contingent from Fiji left the United Kingdom on their way home, on the “Akaroa” on July 26.

Flight Lieut. Trevor Hansen is also home ward bound. He is travelling on the “Dominion Monarch” with the returning Fiji Victory Parade contingent.