PLANT CULTURE

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 105, 28 January 1931, Page 10

PLANT CULTURE

Horticultural Tracies

CONFERENCE BUSINESS

A review of the year's work of the New Zealand Horticultural Trades Association was given at the annual conference yesterday by the president, Mr. V. C. Davies, of New Plymouth. The time was coming rapidly, he said, when bud selection would have to be taken in hand seriously by fruitgrowers, nurserymen, and the department, and certificated materials supplied to the nurseries. Citrus growing was developing into a substantial industry, and demanded further support, and the work now started should appeal to the Government, which should be approached to see if a fully equipped research station could not be established at once. Assistance should at least be found to continue the survey work and arrange for planting trials with pedigree trees raised in the Auckland test nursery. The promised withdrawal of the State Forest Service from competition had taken place during the year, owing to the restricted planting power of farmers, combined with the high prices of fencing, the nurseries were not likely to gain the additional sales expected. The cessation of competition was, however, greatly appreciated. New Zealand was well to the lore in many of the latest plants and shrubs. Some of the exotic species, especially those from Africa and Australia, were now being sent to Ixew Gardens and other parts of the world. There were still many good commercial plants not yet tried out in New Zealand. The appreciation of the New Zealand and overseas public of the present and potential value of New Zealand's superb flora was increasing, and with it the demand for wellgrown native trees and plants. The exportation to the British Isles was being well maintained. The executive’s annual report stated that citrus fruit trees had been grown in an increasing number. The demand was still in excess of the supply, consequently importations had been somewhat heavy. The New Zealand nurseries were fast working up their stocks, and the Institute of Horticulture’s citrus committee would have upward of 600 pedigree trees available for test areas for the season 1931. The conference received reports from the district committees, all of which were regarded as satisfactory in the circumstances.

Seedsmen’s Association

The conference of the Horticultural Seedsmen’s Association was also held yesterday, Mr. M. Matheson presiding. Matters of trade interest were'discussed.