A Little Bit of Northland

Northern Advocate, 18 July 1939, Page 2

A Little Bit of Northland

5 Gifts for Our Wellington Hosts

I Kauri Seedlings Wanted WANTED, SOMEWHERE, SOMEHOW—ISO KAURI SEEDLINGS. Yes, Ncrthlanders, we’li require at least that many. Early next year, you know, the Kupe Club excursion is setting out for Wellington, to have the holiday of a lifetime. From Kiwi, we know that Wellington will not leave us to tlnd our way about alone, and there are many kindnesses in store for ns. , And so we cannot set out for the south empty-handed; we must take a lireT-nt tel our Wellington' hosts. Just what that present should! be caused H.Q. some worry. The Office Boy considered that we should each take down a calf club calf, but the railway authorities were not a bit enthusiastic! Princess suggested a bunch of sweet peas—she put hers in late, so they will not bloom until Christmas. But the Tchunga and I put our heads together... “An clthe result was a kauri seedling!’' said the Office Boy, saucily. ; The result of our deliberations was that each and every Northlander who makes the trip to Wellington should take a young, kauri as; a gift to Wellington. Later you’ll be advised of the equipment you should takq to Wellington with you. But the very first item is one kauri seedling. But we do not dig up this seedling the night before wo Ifeavc. This young kauri is to do Northland credit. It will be a living souvenir for the next |o jSirpic of centuries of your visit to Wellington. We went into conference with Mr Holman, and this is what he said; Yearling seedlings are now about two inches high and, may be used, for transplanting if nothing better is offering; hut stocky seedlings four to five inches high would be better. These larger seedlings will have tap roots, which should he cut two to three inches below the soil. Transplant your seedlings between now and the middle of August—the earlier the better. Obtain seedlings from the open if you can, as they will he hardened cff. If you pick a site free from roots, you should be able to “bail” some sol! around the roots of the seedling. Divide an ordinary seed box into three inch squares, with cardboard partitions, on the same principle as an egg box. Have a heap of mixed soil ready. It should consist of one-third sand, onethird bush mould, and one-third good black soil. The process then is:— • t (1) Place each seedling (with its hall of soil around the root) in the centre of the cardboard square. (2) Fill all (he squares loosely with soil. (3) Firm the soil around each seedling. (4) Lcwer the bottom half of the seed box into a tub of water and hold it there until the water soaks through the surface of the soil. Be careful to keep the seed box level when lifting out of the water, so that the weight of the water will not drag- away the soil from the edges of the seed, box. (5) Place the seed box in your hush house for Hie next six weeks, then put outside fer half the day during the next week, ami after that leave it outside altogether. Remember, though, that kauri is not very easy to transplant, so transplant mere seedlings than you require. When Mr Steele cr Mr Dennehy next visits your school, ask them to show you exactly how to pot a plant. If *Lcre are no kauri seedlings growing in your district, write, to Kupe, c/o. Advocate” O .ce, Water Street, Whangarei, and he will nut you in touch with a school where you can obtain some. Kauris for Wellington! That is the cry these days. There’ll he a little bit cf Northland in Wellington after our visit. Do your part by potting as many seeds as you can before August.