The Rural Voice, 1979-11, Page 31down on fuel and labour needs yet still
supplying the plant with its heat and
required attention. Innovative solar con-
cepts are used within the greenhouse
structure to reduce fuel requirements.
Plants are grown in a plastic polyethylene
film to reduce labour.
Modern hydroponics claims a higher
yield per plant, plus a smaller growing area
is needed. This, in effect, will increase a
building's total production by 30 per cent
over that of plants grown in a conventional
greenhouse under conventional methods.
Five farmers have recently taken the
plunge and become leaders in this new
system of horticulture. Greenhouses have
been erected in Atwood, Monkton, Brus-
sels, London and Cambridge. The initial
growth rate of the tomato plants placed in
the greenhouse near London has been
classed as nothing short of phenomenal. If
the yield is in the same order, then a good
honest profit will ensue.
The greenhouses are built on the "turn
key" method; that is, the company erects
and sets up the structure completely, sets
theplants in place, and has everything in
going order before turning the "key" over
to the owner. Full instructions as to the
operation and continued education on
water culture are given by a specialist in
hydroponics.
The cost of the greenhouse, complete
with plants, etc. is in the order of $29,000.
Expected annual gross returns from the
produce is about $15,000. (which is a lot
better return on the dollar than if you kept
hogs.)
Hydroponic greenhouses would be an
ideal industry for buffer zones separating
towns and cities from intensive agriculture.
Another possibility is to build hydro-
ponic greenhouses on former dump sites
where houses cannot be built due to the
dangers of methane gas. The methane gas
can be converted to heat for the
greenhouses, thus allowing food to be
grown on the otherwise "dead" land.
In Bruce County a greenhouse industry
is in the embryo stage, which will make use
of the excess heat from the nuclear plant.
The idea is excellent, but the cost to the
taxpayer is high. It could be simpler and
less costly to erect solar/hydroponic
greenhouses on the roofs of some light
industrial buildings and thus utilize some
of the heat normally wasted through
ventilation. It's an innovative idea that may
soon be the accepted fashion.
Albert Whiting is the owner of The Stove
Shop at Atwood, Ontario, (356-9002) where
he sells woodburners, hydroponic supplies,
solar panels, etc. He designed the solar
aspect of the greenhouses and is the agent
for the hydroponic system (Aquaculture,
Toronto). Readers may have seen Albert's
hydroponic display at this year's Plowing
Match in Kent County.
(Photo by Bev
Walls of the greenhouse are double plastic, held apart
by forced air from a 5" fan. This type of construction
reduces heat loss by 40% over a conventional glass
greenhouse. Floor of the greenhouse is black in order to
absorb and hold heat from the sun.
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THE RURAL VOICE/NOVEMBER 1479 PG. 29