Creator: Morris, Nelson

Date: 1944-05

Description:


Caption: Ralph K. Watson, Process Foreman of Receiving and Shipping Department. Dabbles in hydroponics experiments in his garden. Was one of Aruba's first resident, since soilless culture of plants and vegetables almost impossible to grow in Aruba by ordinary methods. (In this connection, Aruba once had a fairly rich topsoil and good vegetation, and the island was almost completely covered by ironwood trees. Because of a market demand, the island was gradually deforested until practically none of these trees were left. Topsoil was eventually blown away by constant trade winds, leaving Aruba as we know it today, with a face of infertile coral) Watson's garden, set on pipes and discarded oil drums, supports such crops as delicious juicy tomatoes, lettuce, radishes, peppers, chard and grape vines. Last year an agriculturist from Rutgers University came to Aruba to formulate plane for a commercial soilless farm in Lago. He obtained some valuable information from Mr. Watson's experiments. As yet, the hydroponics project is in the blueprint and experimental stage. Tanks, pumps, and other equipment are being prepared and a commercial experiment may blossom out in full in the next few months, Problems such as high constant winds, evaporation, and insect pestilence make such a venture exceedingly difficult.
Photographer: Nelson Morris (Standard Oil Company of New Jersey)
April-May 1944
1 b&w photograph; 9.11 x 9.05 cm.
Part of the LAGO Picture Collection

Courtesy of Biblioteca Nacional Aruba, the National Library of Aruba.
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Notes:
The LAGO Picture Collection



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