Unsolicited Writings

Once thiswas removed humus formation started and the herbage improved.
The methods whichincrease humus formation in the soil must now be considered.
Then the whole fabric of our civilization must collapse. Once the correct use of
Southwark wastes was demonstrated a demand forthis material arose. But all this is
not in accordance with theory.
Varieties ofgrasses and legumes which respond to improved soil conditions must
thenbe provided.
When we apply basic slag to pastures on the chalk there is noresult. His work will
then have a permanent value. The value of this experience does not end with the
testing of soilfertility.
At the moment itis altogether outside the bounds of practical politics.
How are we to test the fertility of grass-land? The number of cuts falls off to
three or four a year and thestand rapidly deteriorates.
In Great Britain most townwastes are either buried in a controlled tip or burnt in
an incinerator. No stronger backing than this is possible. Thesecontain many more
millions of tons of material which can be dealt with onSouthwark lines.
Theresult is that in a year or two the tip becomes a humus mine. Generally speaking
there is an immediate reaction on thepart of the root system.
A very valuable piece of research work on this matter has recently beenundertaken at
Manchester.
Maize behaves in the same way and is perhaps one of our bestsoil analysts.
Theinvestigation, however, is invaluable from the agricultural standpoint. When,
however, weexamine the turf of a slagged pasture we find that humus formation
hastaken place. Hosier has done morethan solve a local problem and provide evidence
in support of a newtheory. Practically none of our urban waste finds its way back to
the land. This is indicated by the absence of nitratesunder such turf. Under such
turf the land always suffers fromasphyxiation. The effect of sub-soiling heavy
grasslands wasdescribed by Sir Bernard Greenwell, Bt. This, however, is only a minor
item on the credit side. Hosier has done morethan solve a local problem and provide
evidence in support of a newtheory.
These two leguminous crops do notstand alone.
Hosiers land onthe downs near Marlborough.
The controlled tiptherefore behaves very much like an Indore compost heap.
The number of cuts falls off to three or four a year and thestand rapidly deteriorates.
They live a life of constant frustration which can only beavoided by giving them a
balanced ration. The myceliumis of large diameter, thin-walled with granular
contents.
Both of these interfere withaeration, produce smell, and attract flies.
This occurs in the controlled tips in which most of thedustbin refuse is now buried.
Such a reform in housing schemes will not stop at the outer fringes ofour towns and
cities.
These results do not hold together;indeed they contradict one another.
There is phosphate depletion on strong lands only at one point;none at all on light
chalk downs.