At last, the standard, authoritative book on the science of growing plants without soil has been written by the originator and inventor, Dr. W. F. Gericke. Since, in 1929, he first conceived of the possibility of growing plants economically in nutrient solutions, Dr. Gericke has applied himself to study and experimentation and this book records the result.
From the preparation of the seed-bed to the final development he explains each step in simple, easy-to-follow chapters. Beginning with an explanation of the working principles of this science, Dr. Gericke gives instructions for setting up the necessary apparatus and preparing the nutrient solutions. He then devotes separate chapters to the growth of root, leaf, and seed vegetables; perennial vegetables and berries; field crops; and all types of flowers. One significant chapter compares soilless gardening and agriculture in respect to costs and crop yield.
Whether you expect to grow plants on a small scale for your own use, or carry out your chemical farming on a large scale for commercial purposes, this book will be your standard guide -- your encyclopedia of information on the subject.
Originally published in 1940, The Complete Guide to Soilless Gardening is fully illustrated with 60 photographs and line drawings that make it easy for anyone to follow each step of the instruction.
Contents Covered:
- Preface
- Introduction
- Social Implications
- The Cycle of Conservation
- Water Culture
- Molecules and Ions
- Knop's Formula
- Plant Physiology
- Hydroponics
- Development of Hydroponic Technique
- Apparatus
- Hydroponic Basins
- Depth of the Basin
- Area of the Basin
- Search for Suitable Materials
- The Use of Concrete
- Sheet Metal
- Wooden Basins
- Other Basin Materials
- Basins to Hold Plants for Display
- Seedbeds
- Construction of Seedbeds
- Seedbed Dimensions
- Hints on Construction
- Water Capacity
- Faults of Wet Seedbeds
- Dry Seedbeds
- Choice of Seedbed Materials
- Nutritive Action of the Seedbed
- Use of Soil Beds
- Decay of Seedbeds
- Nutrient Solutions
- Sources of Plant Food
- Sources of Chemicals
- Cost of Chemicals
- Distribution of Complete Mixtures
- The Nutrient Solution
- Testing for Nitrogen and Phosphorus
- The Basic Formula
- Three-Salt Combinations
- Preparing the Mixture
- Distributing Plant Food
- Reactions
- The pH Scale
- Satisfactory Range of pH
- Determining the pH
- Buffer Action of Carbonates
- Water
- Natural Water, a Solution
- Salinity
- Excessive Salinity
- Effect of Climate
- Types of Water
- Examples of Saline Waters
- Planting
- Classification of Plants
- Hints for Growers
- Some Specific Crops
- Sowing
- General Rules
- Steps in Planting
- Classification of Crops
- Physical Conditions
- Temperature Balances
- Temperature and Plant Growth Phases
- Classification of Plants
- Heating the Solution
- Light
- Light and Temperature
- Regions of Light Distribution
- Symptoms of Light Deficiency Injury
- Situating the Basins
- Light Requirements for Various Species
- Air
- Aeration in Hydroponics and Agriculture
- Bubbling Air through Solutions
- Differences in Roots of Corn and Sunflower
- New and Old Roots
- Classifications
- Influence of Climate on Aeration
- Symptoms of Poor Aeration
- Symptoms of Change
- Nitrogen
- Potassium
- Phosphorus
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Sulfur
- The Trace Elements
- Iron
- Iron Requirements of Plants
- Iron Deficiency Symptoms
- Unavailable Iron
- Response to Additions of Iron
- Sources of Iron
- Tomatoes and Other Vine Crops
- Experimental Results
- Instructions for Growing Tomatoes
- Growing Tomatoes in Bottles
- Other Vine Crops
- Root-Top Ratio
- Planting Vine Crops
- Preparation of the Seedbed
- Stands
- Supplying Plant Food
- Cucumbers
- Cantaloupes
- Watermelon
- Squashes
- Potatoes
- Detailed Instructions
- Sweet Potato
- The Root Vegetables
- Planting Root Vegetables
- Root Crop Yields
- Parsnip -- Hardest to Grow
- Carrots
- Beets
- Turnips
- Radishes
- Supplying Nutrients
- Aeration and Iron Deficiency
- Onion
- Leaf Vegetables
- Planting Leaf Vegetables
- Head Lettuce
- Cabbage
- Parsley, Spinach, and Chard
- Seed Vegetables
- Sowing Different Varieties
- Nutritional Needs
- Aeration
- Perennial Vegetables and Berries
- Field Crops
- Basis for Stand
- Formulas to Change Composition
- Herbaceous Annual Flowers
- Production of Flowers
- Garden Flowers
- Herbaceous Annuals
- Starting from Green Cuttings
- Effect of Cold and Heat
- Transplanting
- Classification of Root Systems
- Marigolds
- Flowers from Bulbs, Corms, Tubers, and Rhizomes
- Flowers from Bulbs
- Flowers from Corms
- Rhizomes
- Tubers
- Tuberous Begonia
- Flowering Woody Perennials
- Fuchsias
- Gardenias
- Planting Gardenias
- Roses
- Depth of Planting
- Commercial, Garden, and Home Production
- Competition with Agriculture
- Food Requirements and Yields
- Cost Estimates
- Hydroponics in Homes
- Production Hints Summarized
- Mineral Composition of Plants
- Devising the Technique
- Conditions for Composition Change
- Controlling Tomato Composition
- Ammonium Salts
- Calcium Salts
- Magnesium and Sodium Salts
- Sand Culture
- Applying Water to Coarse, Porous Solids
- Uses of Coarse, Porous Solids
- Plant Food for Coarse, Porous Solids
- History of Sand Culture
- Soil Beds Mounted over Water
- Hydroponics and Agriculture
- Food Requirement of Plants
- Carbon Dioxide
- Production of Cereals
- Comparison of Labor Cost
- Sociological Implications
- Multiple Cropping
- Potatoes and Corn
- Potatoes and Tomatoes
- Experimental Yields
- Multiple Cropping of Flowers
- Use of Chemicals
- Economic Possibilities
- Glossary
- Index
| Format: | PDF Digital Reprint, e-Facsimile |
| No. of Pages: | 300 |
| Page Size: | A4 (210mm × 297mm) |
| Download Size: | 102 MB |
