FRUIT WIZARD'S EXPERIMENT.

Mataura Ensign, 30 December 1911, Page 5

FRUIT WIZARD'S EXPERIMENT.

An interesting experiment in horticulture was described by Professor Bottomley when addressing the members of the Women's Agricultural and Horticultural International Union, at Lord Brassey's residence in Park Lane. An eminent American horticulturist, he said,, received an order to supply a large number of prune seedlings within nine months. As 18 months are required to raise a prune seedling the task seemed impossible. He planted 20,000 almond seeds, which germinated, and at the end of six months had grown so rapidly that he was able to graft prune buds on to them, and delivered the prune seedlings within the specified time. The orchard, said Professor Bottomley, is now one of the finest in California.