¢ 
evident that the domestic peats, for growing the 
ericaceous plants, are far superior. 
(GROWING PAINS continued from page 18) 
Additional experiments have been carried on each 
year, but during all of this time the real growing has 
been in the domestic peats. In 1953 many more tests 
were set up, and some are now ready for reports. 
The peat from Michigan, plus transportation and 
unloading, is expensive; to “stretch” it, bales of 
imported peats were run through the shredder and 
mixed with Capac peats with the following results: 
90% D; 10% GS; Check 100% Growth 
45% D; 45% ToL 0G, Gos 70% Growth 
60% D; 30% Te 0% Gs: 85% Growth 
80% D; 10% I; 10% GS; 90/100% Growth 
100% I; 10% Growth 
In the above D is domestic peat; I is imported peat: 
GS is ground sandstone; and the percentage of 
growth shows our estimate cf the comparative sizes, 
after about 6 months, of the plants in the different 
tests. In fact the plants in the 100% imported peat 
looked almost exactly as those in the Polish peat 
shown in the photo taken in 1950. The plants in the 
domestic peat are possibly a little larger than those 
in this same photo. 
Apparently, imported peats are not the proper 
“stretcher” for domestic peats. 
+or 
Our “Lab” 
Our “laboratory” consists of a soil testing kit, which 
sometimes baffles us, a couple dozen bags of prepared 
chemicals (most of which we know nothing about— 
Chemistry was always very confusing), and one of 
the wife’s discarded measuring cups. So no 
scientifically based explanations for the difference in 
the peats will be offered. Instead, let’s go through 
another practical test with peats and plants, and see 
if we can prove anything. 
Ten flats of domestic peat, mixed 10% ground sand- 
stone, were made up and placed in our boiler room 
for nearly 3 months. The peat became very dry and 
“caked” hard. Then the flats were set in 4” of water 
in dipping pans, and water added as needed until 
moisture rose to the surface. Rhododendron trans- 
plants were then carefully washed free of peat (to 
prevent any transfer of soil bacteria to the peat in 
the test). The Rhododendrons were then planted in 
these 10 flats. After 4 months the growth compared 
very favorably with that of the plants shown in 
straight imported peat in the photo. 
Conclusion: Imported peats, before they are sent to 
us, evidently are thoroughly dehydrated to kill bugs 
and diseases. Probably steam is applied. The dehy- 
(Continued on page 21) 
20 
