GARDEN CITIES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2987, 26 January 1917, Page 6

GARDEN CITIES

HOW HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE MAY HELP

A NATIONAL INSTITUTE

At yesterday's sitting of the Nurserymen's Conference a paper written, by Mr. A. H. Shrubshall, of Christchurch, on ''Scientific Training and the Future of Horticulture in New Zealand," was read. Mr. Slirubsliall said:— "After the war the general tendency will be' toward efficiency in all directions, and educational advantages will be esteemed in a greater degree than ever before. Schemes of rural education are being discussed, and a considerable reorganisation in educational affairs will certainly take place. In Britain and a large part of Europe during the after-war period much change both economic and political \yill happen, and a raising of the standard of life will be general among tno mass of the people. In the course of restoration of the war-devastated areas, modern ideas of town planning will havo_ a prominent place; the garden city idea will be developed, intensive methods of cultivation extended, rc-afforestation organised in a. big way, and horticulture in its various phases thus enter largely into the lives of tho people. A higher 'standard of life will create a demand for better environments, the dull places to be brightened, and the waste places utilised. I venture to predict that well within ten years from now scientifically-trained horticulturists will he doing things to some purpose in Europe. All this will have its effect upon the course of things in New Zealand, stimulating greatly the. horticultural tendencies here. Rc-afforesta-tion will also receive greater attention hero, and the able articles published in recent nutnbers of our "Journal of Agriculture,", give some idea as to the possibilities in New Zealand for the growing of timber. Dominion' School of Agriculture. "I am of opinion that the time is ripe for the establishment of a Dominion school or institnte of horticulture in connection with the most suitable station under the control of the Government Horticultural Department. Such institute to bo open to those engaged in, or taking up, the profession of horticulture in its various branches, with admittance by fee and by scholarship. A school of tin's nature for the whole Dominion could bo supplied with a, thoroughly modern equipment in the way of a lecture room with apparatus and library for science demonstration and study, and with suitable plantings and buildings in the adjacent grounds; the practical matters could also receive their proper handling. Periodical courses of a few weeks at different seasons of the year would be of great assistance to those not able to spare more time for tho purpose, while the opportunity would bo provided for others able to give time for extended studies. In connection with such a Dominion institute, too, some arrangement could likely be made by which students could secure the national diploma of horticulture, recently instituted by the Royal Horticultural Society in conjunction with the British Board of Agriculture, as a hall mark of efficiency in tho profession. No doubt the Government will plead inability owing to present war conditions, to establish, such an institute, but it will be something done in the right direction to get our acceptance of the idea by the Government with a promise of its development as soon as conditions allow. As part of a complete scheme of rural education, this should appeal to the Government, and to nurserymen such a school would prove of very great benefit, enabling cadets to obtain a helpful training,, which but prove of the greatest assistance in their wotlt."

Mr. Slmibshall was thanked for his paper, and the conference resolved: — "That the Government be asked to consider the establishment of a Dominion Institute of Horticulture, under the control of the Horticultural Division, and that nurserymen's district council? be recommended to obtain classes in horticultural science at their district technical schools, wherever v sufficient local support can be given."