JUNIOR RED CROSS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 121, 25 May 1931, Page 13

JUNIOR RED CROSS

GRASSLAND CONTEST

Some vbry interesting comments were made in the Junior Eed Cross Journal by Mr. H. H. Allan, Systematic Botanist, Plant Besoarch Station, of Palmerston North, concerning the recent Grassland Knowledge Competition, organised by the Bed Cross for the benefit of the young people. Mr. Allan says that the examining of tho exhibits gave him great pleasure, that all had size and merit, an (I that ho learned something from them all. He thus points out that tho wisest and moat experienced have much to loam about grassland plants which may be of great sorvice to the country. He remarks: "Tho time and labour expended by myself on the collections has been recompensed by increased knowledge of the distribution of certain species." Ho comments interestingly on several of those, and urges the importance of such knowlodge to the future loading citizens of New Zealand. Few of the competitors gave rooted specimens, and he states that American botanists have shown that plants and thoir capabilities for good or evil are not known till their roots are studied. A fault in many of the collections was that the specimens were not sufficiently dried, and he says that in this prolific age of newspapers, there should bo no lack of drying material! In criticising the notes on tho specimens submitted, Mr. Allan states that few gave personal notes, but trusted to information obtained from books, and while tho latter were valuable as information to themselves, especially if well remembered, the "personal touch" was a very great advantage. One competitor from Tologa Bay, however, shone in the direction of giving his own ideas about the plants and put down what he observed and thought. This is considered as most commendable, Mr.-Allan-is of opinion that a most excellent start has been made, and hopes that all competitors will continue their observations and gathering of specimons, thus making in timo a valuable contribution to tho knowledge of the grasslands of their country.