HORTICULTURE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 90, 31 March 1932, Page 6

HORTICULTURE

TRADES ASSN. MEETS H.B. COUNCIL'S BUSINESS. MANY ACTIVITIES REPORTED UPON. A meeting of the H.B. Council of the Horticultural Trades Association was held in Hastings yesterday evening. There was a good attendance of members Mr Geo. A. Green, Dominion organiser and secretary, was also present and was accorded a welcome The chairman, Mr D. G. Wilson, presided. Several apologies were received. There was considerable business conducted connected with the coming season’s work, all stocks were reported to be healthy and well forward. In fruit trees it was stated that not only were the stocks in good order but in anticipation of increased planting, nurseries both here and in the other nursery districts, have greatly increased then stocks—especially in export varietiesof apples, canning peaches and othei leading lines of fruit trees. It is felt that the planting response is not likely to be equal to the supply. More cooperation is needed between the Federation and the Association, especially in reference to giving a lead to growen. as to what varieties of apples to plant for export. GOOD WORK OF CONFERENCES. Mr Green mentioned the good work done by the various variety conferences between 1908 and 1920, in stabling and reducing varieties. It was this work which was largely responsible for reducing varieties and making the present large export profitable. There was now a great need for further national conferences, where the results of the export could be presented by the federation and discussed by the growens and decisions made at to what varieties should from time to time be recojnmended for planting and which should be discarded in favour of more profitable sorts. At the present time no definite lead was being given and the plantings and workings over were being carried out on individual lines, instead of co-operatively. Members present endorsed the remarks. The chairman said that the nurseries would welcome any indications from the growers’ organisation as to the sorts which were being recommended The growers’ representatives should take the lead in this matter as they were vitally interested and had the data. It transpired that while the costings of nursery production, had fallen very little, the nurseries had in all lines met the public, by reducing prices below the proportion due and still maintaining the high standard of the past. One grower remarked that he would sooner retire from business than lower the standard of his stock. Reference was made to the contribution to the pine varieties question which had recently been made by Mr W. Wickens N.D.H. (N.Z.), of Christchurch and published by order of the H.T.A Conference. NATIONAL ROSE SOCIETY. Mr Green drew attention to tho paper dealing with the objectives of this organisation recently written by the honorary secretary, Mr Frank Penn, N.D.H. (N.Z.). He said that in Auckland the Horticultural Society, the local Council of the Institute, and the rose members of the Horticultural Trades Association were all represented on the committee of the Rose Society, which desired to be affiliated to the Institute to strengthen the hands of the horticultural societies by increasing interest in the showing and growing of roses. The Auckland City Council was arranging to place several acres in one of the best situations in Parnell Park free for a city rose garden, and to care for the same, wjhile the nurseries have agreed to ' donate free 2000 of the best modern roses, as a start for the gardens. It is also hoped to start a test area,in co-opera-tion with rosarians in other centres, so that data in reference to stocks and the behaviour of different varieties on different soils and under various conditions may be noted and reported upon. Co-operation with all horticulturists is what is aimed at, with special reference to the »rose. BEDDING PLANTS. Reference was made to the great development made in recent years in home beautification especially by means of beds of annuals and perennial flowering plants. In keeping with the growers in other parts of the Dominion, the prices have been lowered in most lines, till now they are in some instances below pre war rates. It was mentioned that this was only made possible by improved cultural and business methods. It is felt by the nurseries that this effort to meet present conditions as to quality and prices, will meet a ready response from the flower loving public.

NATIONAL FLOWER SHOW. Mr Green mentioned this great function which was so successfully carried out under the auspices of the Institute of Horticulture, the H.T.A., the parks superintendents, and the Canterbury Horticultural Society. One full acre undei cover of the King Edward VII barracks, Christchurch, was filled to overflowing with magnificent exhibits, contributed not onh from Christchurch but from districts as far separated as North Auckland, Taranaki, the East Coast, Wellington i‘iincdin Otago and Invercargill. Nearly 12,000 persons passed through the gates during the two days the show was open this, it was claimed, was a record for a show of its character in any part of New Zealand. The next national show will be held in Auck■id in January 1933. A general discussion on nursery problems took place in which Messrs. Commons F Webb, Histon snr., Young and Doubleday took part. A vote of thanks to Mr Wilson for presiding, and to the Dominion secretary, brought a successful meeting to a close.