PLANTS FROM ABROAD.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18601, 28 January 1926, Page 8

PLANTS FROM ABROAD.

$ NATIONAL GARDENS FOR N.Z. (special to "the press.") j DUNEDIN, January 27. At the Conference of tile New Zealand Institute of Horticulture, the Hon. G. M. Thomson moved the adoption of the following remit forwarded by the Dunedin Horticultural Society: "That it is desirable that a New Zealand National Botanical Garden should be established." Mr Thomson said that the main osject of such a garden would be to bring together and cultivate as large as possible collection of the plants of the whole world, especially those remarkable or interesting for beauty of i flowers, foliage, or form, and those which were of commercial or economic importance. Suitable, soils could be prepared to suit the needs of the different plants, but the climate was an uncontrollable factor, and its characteristics and variations could only be met to a limited extent by artificial means. In a cold climate the plants of warmer, and especially of tropical regions, could only be cultivated by the use of glasshouses and artificial heat', but in a warm climate, no device would enable the horticulturist to cultivate successfully plants of a cold region. On the whole, continued Mr Thomson, Dunedin had an advantage in the matter. There was no ground available in Wellington but in Dunedin there was an area of sixtyfive acres on the town belt, above Dunedin Gardens, which would be admirably suited for the purpose. Mr McKenzie (Curator of the Wellington Gardens) seconded the motion. Dr. C. Chilton (Rector of Canterbury College) supported the proposal. He did not want to express an opinion on the site of the proposed garden, but he thought there might be some reciprocity between the centres. The main centre of »the garden could be established in one place, perhaps Dunedin, and have subsidiary gardens in other places. Strong support would he given to the proposal by the Professors of Botanv in the various Universities.

Mr A. Green, (secretary of the Institute) supported the proposal. He suggested than an effort be made to secure donations, and then the Government could be approached for support by way of subsidy. The motion was carried unanimously, and the matter was referred to the exexecut/ive for action to be taken as early as possible.