HORTICULTURE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 105, 28 January 1938, Page 5

HORTICULTURE

Value Of Training NEED FOR FACILITIES Dominion Special Service. Cliristchurcli, January 27. The need for those engaged in horticultural pursuits to have both a good general education and a sound vocational training was emphasised at the 'conference of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture at Cliristehurcl; by the president, Mr. F. S. Pope, of Wellington. “There is at present much cause for gratification that the examinations conducted by the institute are being increasingly availed of by the younger generation of those working in the industry,” said Mr, Pope. "In most of the centres of population there are now available the means of obtaining the theoretical instruction, and to some extent the practical training, required by those studying with a view to passing these examinations. | “The horticulture division of the Department of Agriculture continues to render valuable service under its efficient director, Mr. J. A. Campbell. For many years past his efforts have been concentrated mainly upon the orchard industry, and especially upon fruit for export.

While this was undoubtedly the correct policy in the not very far-distant past, it is open to doubt whether the time has not come for the division to devote an increased proportion of its activities to horticulturists other than (lie producers of fruit for export. Perhaps a useful extension might be made by providing a visiting instructional service for those engaged in producing for the local market vegetables, bush-fruits and flowers. Later, such a service might possibly be expanded to include tiie more promising of those engaging in horticulture for its amenity or cultural value.

“The Dominion conference on tree-pre-servation and amenity planting summoned in April last by the Government demonstrated clearly that the thinkmg people of the Dominion are keenly alive to the value of conserving and planting trees." continued Mr. Popo. “It was decided by the conference that the Government should obtain from tiie bodies represented their views upon the style of permanent organisation required, and should, when these views were received and collated, set up a temporary executive committee to recommend a suitable constitution for adoption. While one readily recognises that the Government has had its hands unusually full since the conference took place, one trusts that, in view of the national importance of tree-conservation and amenity planting, the matter will be pursued at the earliest possible date.”