NURSERYMEN’S ASSOCIATION

Evening Star, Issue 17764, 12 September 1921, Page 3

NURSERYMEN’S ASSOCIATION

OTAGO COUNCIL MEETS. A feature of the meeting on Saturday evening of the Otago Council of the New Zealand Association of Nurserymen was an account by Mr D. Tanncck of his impressions of England, Franco, and Belgium, recently visited by him. Mr Taimock spoke of the popularity of the English horticultural shows and of the great share taken by the nurserymen in making them such a success. He suggested that in New Zealand there should be closer co-operation between the horticultural societies -and nurserymen, by which the shows would be made brighter and more popular. Kir Tannock also briefly dealt with the large variety of new rhododendrons which are being introduced to commerce, some quite hardy and moat suitable, to New Zealand soil and climatic conditions. From his observations there is in New Zealand a big field for the work of the hvhridiser, whose products will find an ever ready market in the Old Land for any lines of proved merit or distinct character. He was accorded a vote of thanks on the motion of the chairman (Mr H. Christie). Mr, A. Green (national organiser) then dealt with the trade of the past season, which he described as satisfactory when compared with recent years. There were many points where it was in the power of the association to work for specialisation, certain nurseries developing along the lines that their soil, climate, and local conditious indicated best, and leaving other lines to be produced in other centres. With improved road, rail, and steamer communication this had become possible. It, was already being realised within certain limits, hut could be extended with advantage to the nurserymen and the planters in many ways. Mr Green stated that the best of good feeling now existed between the nurserymen's and the fruitgrowers’ organisers and organisations, and that a conference was being held, at the invitation of the fruitgrowers in October, with a view to discussing the 'needs of the orchards as to varieties and quantities, so that the nurserymen might he placed in a position to grow just what was needed for tho trade. In' rapid succession Mr Green dealt with labor in relation to the trade, the embargo, and other matters, and concluded with a graphic description of .the bud selection movement, and what it had already succeeded in producing in dollars and cents for California. Professor A. D. Shamel was quoted as being interested in the efforts of the New Zealand Bud Selection Committee to get an association Termed in New Zealand, and offering the committee his advico and assistance. Mr Green expressed tho opinion that when bud selection was once understood and put in practice in Otago it would add tens of thousands of pounds annually to tho returns from the orchards of this province.