North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Ernest Plutko" <ernestplutko@wiktel.com>]

With effort this yearI made about 100 gallons of charcoal from
tamarack wood.  Pulverized the charcoal with a large mortar and
pestle.  Spread the charcoal around 11 rose plants.  I have a
Master's degree in chemistry and I agree the charcoal would hold
cations but I think (without proof) that bacteria living in the
charcoal pores would have a great effect on soil fertility.  Too
early to make any assumptions but I believe charcoal works in
tropical soils but it is unclear about temperate soils.