HAWKE’S BAY NURSERYMEN.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 202, 10 August 1927, Page 6

HAWKE’S BAY NURSERYMEN.

MEETING OF THE COUNCIL ADDRESS BY MR. GREEN. A special meeting of the Council was held in the Hawke’s Bav Jockey Club’s rooms last evening when there was a large attendance of members and the Dominion secretary, Mr Geo. A. Green, was present. Mr D, G. Wilson occupied the chair. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs A. J. Anderson (Napier), W. Gooding (Haveloca North). W. H. Walker and E. Baker. The chairman reviewed the condi tious obtaining in Hawke’s Bay. stating that the country was in “ better condition than it had been ror several years. There had been ouite a revival in the demand for fruit trees, though stone fruit trees had been in short supply, largely owing to the failure of the seed in recent years. However, there should e ample supplies available for 1928 Roses had moved off rather slowly but the end of the season trade would probably see most of the surplus disposed of. Forest trees had not been in demand to the same extent as usual, probably owing to State competition. It was felt that if the State confined its efforts to planting waste areas, private nurseries could, and would, supply all the trees equired for private planting. TbtState’s entrv into the private trade was one that was not warranted, and was the cause of' serious overlapping and wastage. The good prices last year for tomatoes grown in Hawke's Bay was encouraging large plantings this spring, and in flowering plants, also there were large stocks coming on. There were a few lines of nursery stock that had come to the front as had the annual and perennial bedding plants. These had taken the public fancy. MR. GREEN’S ADDRESS. A number of matters of local interest were discussed and then the chairman invited Mr. Green to address the meeting. Mr. Green ex pressed pleasure at being present and was sorry that one of the oldest nurserymen in the district, Mr. W. Webb, was not present on account o; illness. Mr. Green outlined the steps being taken by the Institute of Horticulture to prepare for the training of the rising generation in horticulture. The Empowering Bill, which was being put up as a Government measure, gave the Institute power to grant diplomas to the older generation of horticulturists on the basis of experience, and to the younger ones on a viva voca examination, while students would have to pass an examination at the end of a four-years’ course of practical instruction, and a prescribed theoretrical course,. The diploma would be as high in order as anything of its class in the British Empire. He urged young nurserymen, whether employers or employees, to qualify for the diploma. Mr. Green said there was plenty ot scope for diploma holders in the public service, the teaching profession, public gardens, and nurseries, where there was a great Jack of really well-trained men. Bud selection was another phase of ~ the Institute’s work which must appeal to the nurserymen and their clients. There was, he said, great need lor selection and plant breeding in this Dominion. Plant nomenclature was another matter of the greatest importance. . The Dominion Nomenclature Board under the chairmanship of Mr. R. B. Oliver of the Dominion Museum, was doing good work, and laying the basis for the correction of the whole of the nomenclature of the Dominion’s exotic plants. Many other sections .of the Institute’s work must appeal not only to the trade but to the amateur and to the public in general. He referred to the matter of the developing of public gardens and the need for national botanic gardens, the educa- ! five as well as the aesthetic value of ' which it is hard to estimate. CHANGING CONDITIONS. Mr. Green dealt with the need lor the nursery profession to adapt itself to the changing conditions of the times, and thus appeal to the modern tastes. There was a great future for its development, but organisation and modern advertising methods were needed more to-day than ever before. Mr. Green feelingly referred to the loss the Association of Nurserymen had recently suffered by the death in Dunedin of Mr. J. H. Seidelin and in Auckland of Mr John Walker, who as a nurseryman and bird specialist had more than a Dominion-wide reputation. Mr, Seidelin was one of the most experienced rosarians of the Dominion; one foremost in importing new varieties, and a keen judge of their value.

On the motion ot Mr. Merrett a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the chairman and to Mr. Green, with which the meeting terminated.