PAST YEAR'S PROGRESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20454, 4 January 1930, Page 5 (Supplement)

PAST YEAR'S PROGRESS.

VERY BRIGHT OUTLOOK.

Never in the recollection of the oldest colonist has the advent of the New Year been entered upon with such bright prospects. Agriculturists and horticulturists generally arc to be congratulated upon the splendid prospects the New Year presents. The remarkable freshness that pervades the whole vegetable kingdom, from the largest tree down to the most diminutive herb and lichen, clearly indicates the existence of conditions that are, and have been, most favourable to plant life in all its phases. Dame Nature has indeed bestowed her good gifts upon us more bounteouslv than usuailv.

The parks and gardens, public and private, present a most charming appearance. Lovely trees and shrubs clothed in 1 heir new season's foliage, and beautiful flowers in great, variety and brilliance of colours, everywhere abound, contrasting with the various tints of foliage and tho rare vci/lure of the grass and riot of wild flowers.

Our flower and kitchen gardens are, under ordinary conditions, replete with the innumerable varieties pertaining to eachflowers for decoration and cutting, and vegetables ready to gather. They arc all of the very best quality, favoured by splendid' weather conditions.

ABUNDANT FRUIT CROPS. Fruit-bearing trees are in a most healthy fend- flourishing condition, laden with ample and, in many cases, prodigious crops, in their various stages of development. Small fruits, notably strawberries, .ire most abundant, being in greater supply than usual. Currnts, gooseberries, and loganberries are also in plentiful supply. Guavas promise an abundant yield. Loquats are having an off season. Chinese gooseberries (actinidias) are a comparatively new addition to useful small fruits. too, must not be overlooked. Citrus, fruits are in greater evidence and receiving more attention than ever by both commercial and private growers. Improved varieties offer more profitable and productive results. Permanent trees and shrubs in the parks, streets, and private gardens and grounds have made reInarkabfe growth, and are at present the picture of health and beauty. Altogether, from the horticulturist's point "of view, the New Year opens most propitiously. Gardening operations throughout the spring and up to the present time have been so favoured by weather conditions as to enable the planting of trees and early spring to bo carried on successfully, up to the end of December. The failures have been almost negligible. The Kedding-out of tho different varieties of seedlings, the planting of chrysanthemums, dahlias and other bedding and border plants has been most successfully carried out. assuring a good summer and Jtutumiv display.

THE HORTICULTURISTS

A ROTABLE ADVANCEMENT. In looking back upon the results of the past twelve months it is gratifying lo note that agriculfuio in all its branches, notably floriculture, has again made marvellous progress, and that our growers still keen abrest of the times by adding to their collections so many of the latest and best novelties and by adopting the most approved and best cultural methods. In Europe and America the remarkable improvements and developments in floriculture and the other branches of horticulture still go on with unabated rigour.

Hybridisers and specialists are more l,n- v than ever and each year produces a whole batch of new forms, and creations. The 'previous years' novelties are superseded by others of superior merit both in the .quality and colour of the flowers Slid habit of growth of the plant. 'J lie greatest enthusiasm is evinced over the dahlia, notably the garden decorative sections, which now rival the clii'ysan! hemum in poularity. The bewildering list of most distinct and charming novelties, ns exhibited at the various shows throughout the civilised world, is a revelation. Gladiodi, 100. have received almost equal attention, and now rank among the most popuhir of present day flowers. Hoses, cnmias, begonias and the innumerable varieties of annual and biennial flowering plants are always being added to Ly iipv.' and improved forms and varieties at the hands of Ihe hybridiser.

IWo in Xew Zealand where we possess fcueh unrivalled climatic conditions for fep,| growing, there should be a wide find profitable field open lo specialists who would undertake the woi k. Those fevy who have already experimented with the hybridisation of narcissi and gladioli Jiave produced many seedling varieties that equal if not rival the. latest and best Importations and are, well rewarded for llieir efforts.

Diploma of iiorticijltuhe

the reward cf merit. Ihe. Xew Zealand Institute of Horticulture is to be congratulated upon its KuccpsMul endeavours in uplifting horticulture and its attendant industries to its i:ghti"ul standard by the institution and awarding the Diploma of Horticulture (X.Z.) to the eligible members of the profession without examination.- It is How open to the younger and other appli-J-fnts possessing tho necessary qualifications! This is a much-needed, long-over-due and fitting tribute and recommendation for those who have gained the lr, "°ur and distinction. 'J'lie institute lias Bso of,tie, much good work, in promoting _ te establishment of botanic gardens in Pur leaning centres, and the furtherance rI florticaltnre generally*