HORTICULTURE

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 176, 13 April 1923, Page 9

HORTICULTURE

THE NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE MEETING OF PROVISIONAL COMMITTEE AN EXTENSIVE PROGRAMME

The New Zealand Institute of Horticulture, which has as its slogan, “A country’s products arq its greatest assets,” has done much useful work since its formation in January, 1922. Its aims and objects embrace education in horticulture and the establishment of experimental stations, while it also intends to secure the passage of constructive and protective legislation relative to horticultural matters.

Since the inaugural meeting on January 25, 1922, the following names have been added to tho executiveMessrs. T. D. Jennie, of Invercargill (president of tho New Zealand Asscrciation of Nurserymen; J. M. Michelle (chairman of the Teviot branch of th© institute at Roxburgh) ; T. Brash (deputy chairman of the Fruitgrowers Federation) ; H. S. Izard (Auckland director of the Fruitgrowers’ Federation) ; A. G. Brown (Auckland) ; F. S. Pope (Assistant Director of Agriculture) ; and W. T. Goodwin (Assistant Director of Horticulture). A special meeting of the committee was held at the office of Mr. J. A Canrobell (Director of the Horticultural Division of the Agricultural Department) yesterday. Mr. Campbell, who is president of the institute, presided, and there were also present: Messrs G. A. Green (lion. secretary and treasurer), T. Brash (N.Z- Fruitgrowers’ Federation), T. Waugh (Nurserymen’s Association), F. S. Pope, and W. K. Dallas. Apologies were received from Messrs. Waight, Michelle, J Bennetts. H. A. Shrubshall, A. R Ragg, F. R. Cooper, A. G. Brown, A. \V. Buxton, and A. M. Robertson.

Review of Work Dono. The interim report stated that considerable. work had been done in the various centres, some .15,000 apricot buds having been distributed to some ten different firms of nurserymen in both islands. These buds had been carefully selected from some half-dozen of the very best varieties, while the trees from which the buds were cut had been carefully noted, and were the best that Otago could produceBud selection aimed at doing for the fruitgrower exactly what cow selection was doing for tho dairyman. Officers of several of tho larger, horticultural societies had been interviewed with a view to co-operating in tho work of tho institute. The replies received were very favourable, and it was hoped that before long sonic form of federation would be effected, between the various horticultural societies now operating in New Zealand, thus enabling them to speak . with united voice on matters of national moment, and to obtain representation on a national basis on the council of the institute. The report also stated that the Plant Acclimatisation Society of Auckland had been in communication with the hon. secretary of tho institute in reference to the question of the establishment of a plant-breeding station with a view to endeavouring to raise types of commercial fruits of good quality, but immuno from many of the commoner pests and diseases. . It was suggested that as soon as the institute was registered it should be asked to lake an active lead m tho proposed research work. The report was adopted. Constitution and Rules. Correspondence in connection with tho constitution and rules of the institute was received from Messrs. A. M. Robertson (Hastings), acting-presi-dent of tho Fruitgrowers’ Federation, R. A. Rogg (president of the Canterbury Horticultural Society), A. H. Shrubshall (Christchurch), and J. Bennetts (Roxburgh). The suggestions made were carefully considered, and several of them were embodied yesterday by the committee when redrafting the constitution and rules, which have now been submitted to a. subcommittee to colder with the institute’s solicitor, with a view to. final completion in legal form and registration.

Aim of the Executive. The main aim of tho executive of the institute is “to launch a scheme which will appeal to all the horticultural interests of the Dominion, in fact, to every individual who loves the aesthetic and ’ beautiful m plant lire.” The main object is to encourage, foster, and improve every branch of horticulture. ornamental as well as useful. Tho constitution aims at giving a strong national executive, while providing the utmost elasticity for the development of district councils m all parts of the country. The financial aspect has not 'been lost sight of. It is intended to raise the necessary capital from members subscriptions, affiliation fees from associations and societies interested in horticulture, legacies, donations, _ endowments, and grants and subsidies from the Government. The proposed activities of the institute will include education, the ultimate aim being to secure for New Zealand’s youth the possibility of securing a first-class education, extending from tho primary school to tho university. At the present time it is not possible to secure a first-class horticultural education, much less decrees, in the Dominion. It is hoped m time to secure the necessary funds to establish one or more up-to-date horticultural experimental stations, where plant-breeding. planfMosting. and other classes of Work essential to the development of commercial horticulture, will be carried out, ca J p " fully recorded, and published for general information. New Zealand has for a long tune been importing trees and plants from nil parts of the world, with the _ result that there is at present considerable confusion as to the correct nomenclature of many trees and plants. Ibf institute hopes to secure the establishment of a nomenclature and certiticating board, or boards, competent to deal with the question,, who will be able to compare notes with similar bodies in other parts of the world. Nursery science, fruit-growing, economie plant improvement, and plant introduction and acclimatisation all tall within the scope of the institute « ar*. civitios. It is also intended to secure constructive and protective legislation relative to horticultural matters.