"NEW HEDGE PLANT."

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9323, 28 March 1889, Page 3

"NEW HEDGE PLANT."

TO THE EDITOR.

Sin,l notice with some surprise and a little amusement that the Government, in pursuance of their policy of monopolising all the business of the country, are now proceeding to introduce, as a " new hedge plant," the Prunus myrobalana. This, the Vermont damson, or cherry plum, the fruib of which in large quantities has for many years been in the Auckland markets, of which there are hundreds of hedges here existent, and on which hundreds of thousands of plum, peach, apricot, etc., are grafted, is sought to bo made a new introduction at the expense of the people. It would be well for the country if Government were confined, much more so than it is, to legitimate government operations. This craze for taking up the business of the people (presumably in the interest of the Tite Barnacle fraternity) is surely a most improper one, when looked at in all its bearings.— am, etc., C. T. Wren. Remuera. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —In this morning's issue you note li A new hedge plant," and further state that the Colonial Office, through its secretary, is thinking of introducing this plant to New Zealand. Surely, sir, this of itself is evidence sufficient that retrenchment is much needed, and that there is heaps of room for it; further, that "where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise." Can there be a boy, or even a man, in New Zealand, other than those in the Colonial Office at Wellington, that is not well acquainted with the cherry plum ? Prunus myrobolana, or P. cerosiformis, of some botanists, is in every district I have visited in New Zealand. In many it has been tried years ago as a hedge plant, and found unfitted for that purpose. Thousands of cases of the fruit find a market in New Zealand from Australia ; and lastly, if Government want to give plants away they can purchase in New Zealand from ' any respectable nursery at considerably less than the quoted price, and thus help some of the poor struggling, oppressed New Zealand taxpayers until they are ready for fresh plucking. A short time ago the House of Parliament actually passed a law taxing fruit trees of every sort planted in orchards for the purpose of raising fruit, for the purpose of carrying out the Codlin Moth Act. At that time I pointed out the difficulty of dealing with quince and other hedges, and suggested taxing at per yard instead of per plant. I now suggest that the tax should be levied on all fruit trees coming into the colony, and that the Government should confine their attention to their proper duties, and not attempt to enter into competition again unfairly with trades or companies that call give them points, and then lick them —witness railways) insurances, banks, printing, farming, nursery, &c., ad lib.— am, &c., Joseph Mayo. The Nursery, I)rury, March 26, 1889.