GARDENS AND THE WAR

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 137, 11 June 1940, Page 4

GARDENS AND THE WAR

APPEAL OF FLOWERS

*"KEEP CULTIVATING"

A plea for the continued cultivation of flowers, flowering shrubs, and herbaceous plants during these troubled days, was made by the president of the Wellington Horticultural Society, Mrs. Knox Gilmer, at the annual meeting of the society last night.

Expressing the hope that Arbor Day celebrations would not be postponed this year, in view of their national land educational value, Mrs. Gilmer trusted that the centennial of the society, in 1941, might also be recognised fittingly. The society had its difficulties in common with other societies in such times. The cultivation of the garden was its chief function, but one had only to think of the gardens'of Holland, Belgium, and Norway, and of England, where the Chelsea Flower Show had had to be abandoned.

"Could we hold a flower show this week?" asked Mrs. Gilmer. "In our hearts we know that we cannot. How, then, can we hold one in perhaps October or November?" Many suggestions had been made, such as holding small evening shows without any prize-money. She advised all present to go ahead with the growing of their blooms in hope. One of the tragedies in England in the last war was fhe disruption of so many permanent gardens, in order to grow vegetables. Today in England there was a "dig for victory" campaign, and people in New Zealand might be called upon to do more in this way than ever before. In many cases it would be possible to do it in waste places and in the more unmade portibns of the garden.

"Upon horticulture and its products depends a large industry of farreacliing usefulness. Those who can keep it going should continue to do so. Unless this is done we shall suffer for many years after peace comes back to us. Let us go on cultivating our shrubs and rock gardens, our bulbs, and our herbaceous plants, adding to the happiness of ourselves, our families, and our friends."

An English journal, repeating the remarks of an old soldier, now a gardener, who went about his work with a steel hook in place of the hand he lost in the war of 1914-18, had said, referring to the destruction of lovely gardens: "What about all the chaps that have to make a living out of growing food, and selling it? This is going to be a funny war and a bitter one, but you will Vant your flowers. What about the chaps that will be in hospital, and what about the kids growing up? They aren't going to have much to laugh about."