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Show Hydroponics Open New Possibilities i Science May Answer Our Land Problem Hydroponics may prove tc be the answer to the question of what we are going to do when there is not enough first class farming land left to support our ever-increasing ever-increasing population. Hydroponics is the science of growing crops with chemicals and without soils and the process is now getting a major test in Puerto Rico, a Commonwealth that has Water mixed with more than twenty chemicals (the same chemicals found in good soil) is pumped into the tanks of growing grow-ing vegetables. Secret of the present day success in hydro-ponic hydro-ponic farming is the fact that growing plants, after they have absorbed the nutrient value of the formula, are drained of the mixture to prevent rotting of the roots. long been struggling to produce more food for local consumption and reduce cost of imports. Looking to this method as one of the possible keys to increased food production, the government has cooperated with private mainland main-land enterprise in setting up two hydroponlc farms. To grow crops by hydroponics no soil Is necessary and rainfall, or lack of it, is not a major factor. Vlants are supplied directly wit a 11 the nutrients needed for life "nd growth by means of controlled chemical solutions applied at proper "feeding" intervals. Plant beds of gravel and similar aggregates aggre-gates have been found to be most suitable for growing. The first hydroponic unit in Puerto Rico was established with private capital. The second unit, now getting started, plans to construct con-struct family farm units, each consisting con-sisting of 25 cement beds, 100 feet long by three feet wide, with flumes for irrigation, cisterns, and pump, gravel and all necessary elements. The first hydroponic farm in Puerto Rico produces 60,000 pounds of tomatoes for an acre of planting. Harvest begins 75 days after seeding. i |