PLANT ACCLIMATISATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18533, 18 October 1923, Page 14

PLANT ACCLIMATISATION.

ACTIVITIES IN AUCKLAND.

TESTS WITH \ SOYA BEANS.

The council of the, Auckland Acclimatisation Society's Plant Branch met yesterday Mr. F. C. Bclletfc presiding. Mr XI R."Wright,' Matafcana, reported that certain varieties of i the Soya bean supplied by the plant branch had sueceeded very well. The Peking- and Virginia varieties did the best for seed, while the annual Glycine Soja Bmth gave the greatest amount of foliage tor fodder. . Mr. T. H. Patterson, instructor m agriculture for the Auckland district, stated that Pigeon Pea received from the Hawaiian Department of Agriculture showed excellent promise, but had been planted too late. He requested a further supply of seed, which it was decided to obtain. . ■ A request from the New Zealand Institute' of Horticulture . that the Plant Branch should affiliate with it was ' reserved for further consideration. Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M., suggested that steps should be taken to obtain cuttings or slips of the close-bark fallow (salix alba) for distribution. The council agreed to fake steps in this direction Mr. E. Clifton proposed that suitable varieties of bamboos should be obtained. Ho stated that a number of species were crowing in Tauranga which were introduced by the Agricultural Department some years ago. It was stated that several species of great value were already established and others could be obtained that would serve many useful purposes. It was decided fo secure cuttings or seeds of bamboos likely to succeed in New Zealand and to popularise the planting of these giant grasses. "Mr. H. E. Wright showed some excellent samples of seedless Tahiti limes grown at Avondale, some of them being as long as lemons, also specimens of a new seedling orange raised in New Zealand. The flavour was pronounced excellent, and as if! is a very early bearer it is likely to be' a valuable production. _It was decided to obtain for distribution seeds of the Queensland "Polar" nut (Macadamia ternifolia) for acclimatisation in the Auckland district.