A Necessary Safeguard

Every tomato grower in Nelson will know what is going on here, but for the uninitiated, we will explain. Inside the many glasshouses this last month or so, the work of sterilising the soil in readiness for the next tomato crop, has been in full swing. Practically all the public sees of it is the black smoke drifting from the boilers—the source of some complaint. These photographs were taken on the property of Bob Branford, Grove Street.

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Enveloped in steam the men move the sterilising unit to a new position

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Bob watches while the steam does the work

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As each small section is sterilised, it is covered in sacking

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A closer view of the steriliser. Underneath are rows of spikes and these, when pushed deep into the earth, allow steam to penetrate.