VERTICAL FARMING 



65 



and pulverizing the soil with explosives as far down as the roots 

 care to go ? It is admitted that water may be stored, as in dry 

 farming, by converting the soil itself into a reservoir by making 

 it porous so that it absorbs water and holds it like a sponge. 

 Why not use explosives and make the reservoirs two and three 

 times as great and secure absolute instead of partial insurance 

 against drouth? 



It is admitted that much of the rainfall is lost by running off, 

 and consequent damage done by erosion. Why not check this 

 by the use of explosives before the rainy season, storing the 

 rainfall in porous soil instead of letting it run to waste? It 

 is admitted that some of the 

 soils called " wornout," or 

 " poisoned " and " worthless " 

 may be reclaimed if the soil is 

 thoroughly stirred up from the 

 depths. What can do this so 

 efficiently as explosives ? It is 

 admitted that much of the 

 plant food in the soil is una- 

 vailable because it is un- 

 weathered. Why not make it 

 available by opening the 

 ground to weathering agencies 

 by explosives? 



The benefits of clean sum- 

 mer following every other 

 crop, under low rainfall, and 

 occasionally under abundant 

 rainfall are admitted. Why 

 not secure these benefits by 



FROM DEEP SHATTERED 

 SUBSOIL 



means of explosives? It is 



admitted that granulation of 



a soil is a benefit, that any 



treatment that increases the lines of weakness in the soil 



structure facilitates the movement of capillary water, and the 



action of moisture films. The more numerous the lines of 



weakness the quicker granulation is secured. 



