VALUE OF PRUNING

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1931, Page 6

VALUE OF PRUNING

; LORD BLEDISLOE’S simile. QUALITY, NOT QUANTITY. “The application of the priming ' knife lias a salutary client both upon nations., and . indivjduals.-its well as in horticulture, remarked his Excellency the Governor-General, Lord Biedislue, in the course of liis address at the opening of the Mellinpton Horticultural Society’s autumn show at Wellington on Thursday last. “Just as with human beings and domestic animals,” said his Excellency,

‘•suitable breeding and congenial and healthy environment will make lor ex-

cellence i), type and beauty of form and colour. Moreo.er, without the pruning knife so many horticultural exhibits, including chrysanthemum blooms and prize apples, would stand a poor ehamx* in these days of receiving an award from any . competent adjudicator. Quality rather than quality is the order of tlie day, ana perhaps nothing conduces’’more to qualitative improvement than the process of pruning, coupled with the applioation of appropriate and nutritious food. “In the present economic condition of the world, including this Dominion, not only is pruning in an economic sense inevitable, hut, if prudently and equitably applied, it has salutary eflects both upon nations and individuals. Indeed, the wisest philosophers i throughout the ages have contended that, whereas the highest happiness is to bo found in simplicity of living and reasonable self-denial. affluence and over-indulgence are sources of discontent, unhappiness and ultimate degradation. “The science of pruning, whether applied to plants, human being or nations,” said his Excellency, “is always worthy of precise study and may prove j in times like these to he a source not only of enterprise, ingenuity and resourceful ness, hut of immense personal ! satisfaction and increased self-respect.”