Chapter 158

Chapter 158: Experimental Base

Anton Perutz looked out at the rapidly developing experimental base before him and couldn't hide his satisfaction. The base was taking shape at an astonishing pace, and its lush green surroundings were a testament to the fertile land it occupied.

Anton Perutz and his team were quite the spectacle to the residents of the Second Town. Dressed in suits and shoes, accompanied by officials from the East African colonial government, they stood out conspicuously in this environment.

Cooperation between the Second Town and Anton Perutz's team was essential for constructing the experimental base for the East African Institute of Tropical Agriculture. The entire area was bustling with activity to support this endeavor.

Upon their arrival in the Second Town, Anton Perutz had been taken aback. The sight of residents wearing Prussian military uniforms had been initially bewildering. Fortunately, officials from the colonial government had acted as guides, answering many of Anton Perutz's questions.

However, despite the explanations, Anton Perutz and his team were still astounded by the scale of Ernst's efforts in the East African colonies. Dressing a million people in military uniforms was a monumental task and a significant expenditure, particularly in this era.

Ernst had initially acquired a surplus of second-hand Prussian military uniforms from the Prussian government. Later, he established a factory to produce modified "monkey version" Prussian military uniforms tailored for the specific needs of East Africa. With hundreds of thousands of uniforms surplus in Prussia, there was no shortage of materials for Ernst to work with. Additionally, Ernst hadn't been keen on the distinctive pointed Prussian helmets and had stopped their production. He had also simplified the uniforms, removing excessive buttons and opting for practicality in the East African climate.

The modified "monkey version" of the Prussian military uniform had become the standard attire in East Africa, mixed with the early immigrants' second-hand uniforms. As a result, almost everyone in East Africa could be seen wearing these uniforms.

Over the past month, Anton Perutz and his team had grown accustomed to the attire of East African residents.

Anton Perutz's experimental base was strategically located on the east bank of the Little Rhine River, encompassing a vast area of over 700 acres. It spanned the southern hills, northern plains, and river depressions, providing an ideal environment for various types of experiments.

The Little Rhine ensured a steady water supply, and windmills along the banks lifted water to irrigate the fields. Following Anton Perutz's specifications, the fields were created with stone and soil to form water-retaining ridges, facilitating observation of crop growth under different planting conditions. Gates for water drainage allowed flexibility in switching between paddy fields and dry fields.

The base also featured essential facilities, including laboratories, archives, warehouses, and staff dormitories. The laboratories were equipped with imported European instruments such as microscopes, petri dishes, and calipers, ensuring that Anton Perutz and his team had access to all necessary tools.

The base incorporated botanical gardens, vegetable plots, gardens, and designated areas for tree planting. It would serve as the primary location for Anton Perutz's research and experiments, providing the ideal environment for a tropical botanist.

Anton Perutz understood the unique advantages of conducting research in East Africa, where various tropical climates, from rainforests to deserts, could be explored in detail.

Anton Perutz began a lecture for his students: "The local conditions in East Africa are highly favorable for agriculture. However, the region's potential is determined by its limitations. Agriculture relies on four factors: land, heat, water, and light."

He continued, "Take East Africa as an example. Its main limitation is the land, particularly the soil. Tropical regions, despite their high energy output, often have poor soil fertility due to nutrients being stored in vegetation rather than the soil itself. This is why tropical soils are not as fertile as those in temperate zones."

Anton Perutz held a handful of soil and explained, "The color of the soil indicates its fertility. For instance, red soil is common in tropical regions. However, when we use tropical red soil to grow food crops, it doesn't yield as well as the black soil found in temperate zones."

He elaborated, "The reason behind this is the relationship between soil, sunlight, and water. Plants require both sunlight and water to thrive. In tropical rainforests, the soil's high nutrient content is balanced by heavy rainfall, which washes away nutrients from the soil along the coast."

Anton Perutz hypothesized, "East Africa's average precipitation prevents this phenomenon. Hence, we must examine the relationship between soil and water in more detail. Mastering this will help us improve soil fertility in East Africa."

Anton Perutz emphasized that understanding these laws was crucial for effective agricultural practices and soil improvement in the region.