SMALL-SEED GROWING

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 104, 26 January 1933, Page 10

SMALL-SEED GROWING

Horticulturists Advocate Fostering of Industry CONFERENCE DECISIONS Belief that there was a great future for New Zealand in seed-growing was expressed by Mr. F. J. Nathan, of Palmerston North, when speaking yesterday .at the National Conference on Horticulture. A resolution was passed urging the development of the industry on the grounds that it would provide congenial, useful and remunerative occupation for many individuals now on relief work. Mr. A. H. Cockayne said that New Zealand was admirably suited for the growing of all types of seed. All that was needed was the right organisation. “One has felt,” he said, “that the Government’s development of certification along certain lines is a step in this direction, and there does not seem to be any particular reason why we should not advance very largely upon the road of small seed production. There is no avenue that offers more lucrative employment than the growing of small seeds.” Market Possibilities. Mrs. Knox Gilmer said that there was undoubtedly a market for New Zealand seeds. She had seen New Zealand plants in Vienna and in Switzerland. She understood that there was a fair demand for New Zealand lawn grass by American golf clubs. “I believe there is a great future for this country in seed-growing,” said Mr. Nathan. “There are difficulties, but they are not insurmountable. Tljere is no reason why we should import any vegetable seed at all. , We can grow all we want. We can grow seed as well, if not better than, any, country in the world. With a little discovery we can find a market It is an extraordinary thing that nearly all the seed sold In New Zealand is imported. Instead of importing seed we ought to be exporting it.” In referring to the progress of citrus research, Mr. Nathan said that , trial Trees had been planted and careful records kept of those sold. But for the lack of sufficient funds it would have been possible to do a great deal more than was done. Largely owing to the financial stringency it had not been possible to set up a permanent test area for the growing, under test conditions, of the various trees needed. It was hoped, however, that during the coming season satisfactory arrangements would be made for the establishment of a test area. The work had been carried on in collaboration by the institute and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, the department meeting the expenses involved. Resolutions Passed. The following decisions were arrived at Garden Trainees.- — That all garden trainees employed by local authorities should be impressed through their employers with the importance of attendance at classes in horticulture at technical and other such institutions with the ultimate view of qualifying for the institute’s diploma of horticulture. School Gardening.— That the Minister of Education and other educational authorities be urged (a) to have name labels placed on all trees, plants, etc., in school gardens; and (b) that articles on elementary botany, with illustrations, be published in the School Journal. Forest Preservation.— (a) That tire Counties Association be thanked for their assistance and that the Govern- . mint be again requested to make provision for the right to exempt bush land from rates in terms of the resolution of the 1932 conference, (b) That the Government be asked to pass an amendment to the National Parks Reserves and Domains Act defining a national park and to prohibit the introduction of exotic plants and animals likely to endanger plant and bird life. State Forest Service.— That in the opinion of the institute, the State Forest Service should continue as a separate entity under the direction of a trained forester.

Road Beautification.— That the attention of the Main Highways Board be drawn to -the desirability of more attention being given to road beautification and to tree-planting along the highways, and to the suppression of noxious weeds by tree-planting; also to the possibility of indicating dangerous crossroads.

Plants Patent.— ln view of the urgent need for the provision of adequate pro'tectfon for the discoverers of new varieties of plants this conference strongly urges upon the Government the need for the setting up of a nomenclature board with statutory powers to prohibit the sale of a plant under a name other than that adopted for it by the board. It is further suggested that an amendment to the New Zealand institute of Horticulture Act, 1927, to this effect be passed. New Introductions.— (a) That the Government be asked to enforce the “Introduction of Plants Act, 1927,” and that a register of all new horticultural introductions be prepared with a view to supplying information as to their subsequent development, (h) That before further /liberations of opossums and other imported animals or birds are permitted the Government be requested to have the necessity for such action closely investigated.

Nomenclature.— That the opinion and, if favourable, the assistance of the Royal Horticultural Society, be obtained with a view to a modification of the rules of the International Botanical Congress to prevent needless changes in the botanical names of plants. Election of Officers. The election of officers resulted as follows:— President. Mr. F. .T. Nathan (Palmerston North); executive committee. Professor II St K . lrk ’ T , X l? s ? r ?- J - A - Campbell. T.' Haugh, TI. Baillie, B. B. Hammond \V. It. B. Oliver, F. S. Pope. w. C. Hyde W. T. Goodwin, W. S. Mason. G. A Green B. C. Aston, T. C. Brash. A. H. Qockavne, T. Lennie. 11. ,1. Poole, and Mrs. Knox

Professor 11. B. Kirk, of Victoria University College, was appointed an honorary Fellow of the Institute and Mr. J. F. Bailey. curator of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, and the lion. H. D. McLaren, president of the Royal Horticultural Society, England, were, elected honorary members.