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Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXII, Issue 8246, 11 December 1911, Page 5

Many owners of small domestic orchards (says a; southern contemporary) are desirous of obtaining the services of men to prune and spray their fruit trees. They have complained to orchard instructors, that some, men undertaking this work are not qualified. With a, view to assisting both the competent workman and the small grower, the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. T. Mackenzie, has authorised the Director of Orchards to arrange for examinations and issue certificates to those who can prove their competency. Following are the conditions under which the Department is prepared to conduct examinations, and issue certificates of competency—A (1) Identifying insect and fungus pests. (2) Written or oral examination in the life history of" pests •aiid diseases, and -the coi-rect time at which to ayjply treatment. (3) Each candidate will be required to give practical demonstrations' of the preparation and application of sprays, etc. B At the proper season examinations will be conducted in the theory and practice of pruning. Intending candidates should make application to the 1 Director of Orchards, Gardens, and Apiaries, Custom House, Wellington, who- will fix the dates on which the examinations are to be hold.