ORCHARD WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24049, 21 August 1941, Page 3

ORCHARD WORK

WAR SERVICE AUXILIARY Members of the agricultural section of the Women's War Service Auxiliary have had a busy session of work during the past month. Officers of the Department of Agriculture have given orchard demonstrations on Saturday afternoons, and there are reports of much activity in regard to the pruning of fruit trees going on in back garden plots. In some cases groups of members have undertaken pruning in small suburban orchards, in each case under the direction of an officer of the department. The study of harmful insects, fungi and other forms of plant disease is another important field undertaken by members. Lectures have been given by Mr. Davis, of the Seddon Memorial Technical College and practical field work has been given by the Department of Agriculture. The fust series of lectures and demonstrations concluded with a final practice day on spraying pip fruits. In accordance with the policy of the auxiliary with respect to all its classes, members of this section sat for a test on Tuesday night, the examiners being lecturers from the Technical College and the Auckland Teachers' Training College. A second series of lectures and demonstrations is planned to conclude in November. Early next month there will lie further classes in fruit packing, including a refresher class for the pupils of last year, and also a class for beginners.