It will be seen from the 1 able that SORBEX 
compares very favourably in the essential properties of * — 
Bulk/weight ratio, 
Moisture retaining capacity, 
Freedom from acidity, 
Degree of decomposition, 
while its uniformity from year to year is guaranteed by 
the great extent of the deposits from which it comes, 
and the care with which it is selected. 
Methods of Use. 
For all purposes SORBEX should be thoroughly 
damped down before or when using. 
For Soil Improvement. I he quantity depends to a great extent on 
the nature of the soil to be treated, but for general 
purposes one bale per 200 to 300 sq. ft. is suggested. 
Economy can be effected by using SORBEX only in the 
rows in which planting is done, or in the case of trees, 
shrubs and the larger herbaceous subjects, when filling 
up the plant holes. If this latter method is adopted, a 
50/50 mixture of top soil and SORBEX has proved 
satisfactory. 
For subjects which are definitely lime-lovers, it is 
desirable to add a little horticultural lime, but 
generally speaking, if SORBEX is spread over the area 
to be treated a few days before being worked in, this will 
be sufficient to neutralise any slight acidity which may 
be present. 
On porous soils, dig SORBEX in to root level, where 
its moisture retaining capacity will be of most value. 
On heavy land it is most useful if hoed into the 
surface, where it will prevent caking and cracking, and 
will keep the surface open to light, air and moisture. 
Such soils are usually sufficiently retentive of moisture 
in themselves, but for the more deeply rooting subjects 
SORBEX will prove beneficial if dug into the lower 
levels as well. In such cases it prevents the soil from 
becoming water-logged and aids drainage. 
For Propagation from Seed. Good results are being obtained with 
a wide variety of subjects by sowing in SORBEX alone, 
as it contains sufficient nutriment to bring the seedlings 
Page Six 
along to the pricking-out stage. 1 his method takes full 
advantage of the fact that SORBEX contains none of 
the fungi which cause damping-off, while the possibility 
it gives of avoiding alternate over-dry and over-wet 
conditions is another safeguard against this trouble. Not 
only is there less risk of trouble after germination, but a 
higher percentage of germination and stronger seedlings 
may be looked for. Alternatively, use a 50/50 mixture 
of SORBEX and loam, with a little sand, for seeds 
which are specially sensitive to acidity add 2 lbs. of lime 
per cubic yard (or bale) of SORBEX. 
For Propagation from Cuttings. Ease of moisture control and the 
sterility of SORBEX are again advantages, as they lead 
to much less risk of loss from stem-rot and other fungoid 
troubles, while SORBEX definitely speeds up and gives 
better and stronger rooting. One part of SORBEX to 
three or four parts of sand is recommended for most 
soft-wooded plants. Most ericaceous subjects root best 
in SORBEX alone, but some Azaleas, especially those 
of the Kurume type, prefer a 50/50 mixture of SORBEX 
and loam. 
For Potting. As a component of potting composts, SORBEX 
• possesses several advantages over leaf-mould and most 
other peat. Chief of these are its capacity for retaining 
moisture, the encouragement it gives to fibrous root 
growth, and the fact that it is quite free from fungus 
spores and dormant insect life, which are often present 
in leaf-mould and some kinds of peat. 
For first potting 33/50% of well-moistened 
SORBEX should be used, the balance being made up 
with loam and a little sand. For re-potting into larger 
pots, the proportion of SORBEX should be reduced to 
20/25%. It is an advantage to put about half an inch 
of dry SORBEX at the bottom of each pot. 
For subjects which are known to be lime-lovers use 
about 2-lbs. of lime per bale of SORBEX when making 
up the compost, but generally speaking the acid 
re-action of SORBEX is so slight that it needs no more 
treatment in this way than does leaf-mould. 
I he proportion of SORBEX to be used in potting 
composts varies according to the nature of the loam, but 
users readily ascertain the best quantity in ordet to get 
the texture they desire. 
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