HORTICULTURAL STATION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16118, 24 January 1918, Page 6

HORTICULTURAL STATION.

0 SITE BEING SOUGHT.

STATEMENT BY MINISTER OP

AGRICULTURE

In an interview with a represents tivo of "The Press" yesterday, tho Hon. "\Y. D. S. Mac Donald, Minister of Agriculture, referred to the proposed School of Horticulture. The Doimrtmcnt, he said, had been inquiring into the matter for some time, and had viewed certain properties with a view to submitting an offer of purchase. It was believed tbat a suitable central horticultural .station could be purchased at a reasonable price where couid be grown fruit trees, forest' and plantation plants. It had also boen suggested that there could bo set aside on tho station a small poultry section and an apiary soction. When the site had been decided upon the whole business would bo submitted to Cabinet for consideration.

'"Personally," said the Minister, "I am strongly in support of something like this being done. I think a central station of instruction, such as suggested, would bo of very groat benefit to the industry." Mr Mac Donald pointed out tliat the station would provo of assistance in giving instruction to men and women taking up the fruit industry, but the primary purpose would be to secure bettor varieties of plants and trees. In reply to a question, the Minister stated that it had not yet been decided whether in tho North or the South Island the most suitable locality could bo obtained.

DISCUSSION BY NURSERYMEN

ESTIMATED COST £20,000

At the Nurserymen's Conference last gight, the following remit, from the Canterbury District Council, was", on the motion of Mr Shrubshall, seconded by Mr C. M. Dennett, agreed to: "That the need of establishing n National School of Horticulture in connexion with one or more of the experimental stations, be urged on the attention of the Government with a special reference to afforestisation." In the course of the discussion, Mr, F. S. Pope, Secretary of Agriculture, said that to establish tne school would require £20,000. He did <>S say that it was a bit too much, because? it would be a remarkably good investment; but it was not a matter to be .dealt with lightly by tjie Government. "And/' added Mr Pope "if you don't get it in five minutef you will understand why."