"Hydroponics is an
established branch of agronomical science. Progress has been
rapid, and results obtained in various countries have proved it to
be thoroughly practical and to have very definite advantages over
conventional methods of horticulture.
The two chief merits of the soilless
cultivation of plants are, first, much higher crop yields, and
secondly, the fact that hydroponics can be used in places where
ordinary agriculture or gardening is impossible. Thus not
only is it a profitable undertaking, but one which has proved of
great benefit to humanity.
People living in crowded city streets, without
gardens, can grow fresh vegetables and fruits in window-boxes or
on house tops. By means of hydroponics all such places can
be made to yield a regular and abundant supply of clean,
health-giving greenstuff.
Not only town dwellers, but also country
residents have cause to be thankful to soiless culture.
Deserts, rocky and stony land in mountainous districts or barren
and sterile areas can be made productive at relatively low cost.
Other advantages include faster growth combined
with relative freedom from soil diseases, and very consistent
crops, the quality of produce being excellent. There is
also a considerable reduction in growing area, weeds are
practically non-existent, while standard methods and automatic
operations mean less labor, less cost, and no hard manual work.
Some plants can be raised, out of season,
better control of crops naturally results in addition to no dirt
and no smells. Waterlogging never occurs now.
Chemically grown plants are not inferior to naturally reared
ones in point of flavor, nor have analyses shown any deficiency
in vitamin content."
From
Wikipedia
(the free encyclopedia)
