WRITERS' CLUB

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21396, 20 October 1934, Page 21

WRITERS' CLUB

I A talk of much interest on " Plant | Protection " was given to members of the Writers' Club on Friday afternoon by Mr. N. R. Thomas, who has a wide knowledge of horticulture. At the outset Mr. Thomas stated that not merely small plants, but trees and the native forests as a whole, were proper subjects for consideration under the Plant Protection Act. in this connection he mentioned Waipoua Forest and the Trounson Park, which are among the finest things in our national heritage. Adequate protection from fire and wind were urgently needed in both cases, and wind had already worked much havoc. The Native Plants Protection Act provides for the protection of native plants, but unfortunately it left a loopnole for abuse in permitting " reasonable quantities " to be picked for study or for propagation. This provision, he considered, seemed to serve but little purpose, in view of the tremendous difficulty of growing native plants under ordinary conditions. With regard to ordinary plant protection from pests and diseases, Mr. Thomas stressed the need for keeping plants healthy by adequate manuring and careful tending. His survey of the treatment of plant pests was of great interest to members.