NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE OF HORTICULTURE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19700, 29 January 1926, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE OF HORTICULTURE.

MIDSUMMER CONFERENCE. ADDITIONAL REMITS DEALT WITH. Tile mid-summer conference erf the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture was continued- yesterday in the reception room attached to the Government Court at the Exhibition. Mr F. J. Nathan (Palmerston North) presided over a small attendance. DISEASED BULBS. At the morning session the discussion on the problem of the importation of diseased bulbs which was inaugurated by Mr Campbell, of the Department of Agriculture, on the previous day, was resumed. The President said the difficulties surrounding the present methods of importation were the cause of grave dissatisfaction, and the matter must receive attention in the interests of everyone connected with horticulture. Mr Miller said he thought one could say without any hesitation it was mainly at the other end. It was due to carelessness in packing the bulbs and also in_ the selection of the material, and he was induced to think that the interests of New Zealand were not considered at all. In all cases of diseased bulbs they found a heavy infestation of mite and also the presence of tile eel worm. Both, the mite and the worm were present in a shipment 'before it left Europe. One of the chief reasons for the trouble during transit v-M that the bulbs were not properly packed. The presence of even a few mites at the beginning of a voyage would result in a very neavy infestation by the time a shipment arrived m New Zealand. Before leaving the country of origin the bulbs should be sterilised and packed in sterilised containers. A shipment should be stored under conditions which would ensure the bulbs against infect,ion, In order to sterilise the bulbs methods of fumigation nuvht be adopted. The vacuum system of fumigation would bo quite a good one. A certain amount ot experimenting would be necessary in the case of hydrocenic aad gas. In order to secure the shipment of bulbs under ideal conditions the two main points were that the conditions should be dry and (ahd. it the temperature were not less than 50 degrees and not more than 50 degrees he thought that bulbs would arrive in good condition. Investigations in America had shown that the mite certainly did affeot healthy bulbs as well as decayed ones. Where it was associated with the eel worm the mite had excellent conditions for breedUl |ir Green asked if the worms and mites came 'by spontaneous generation or from eggs. . Mr Miller said they cam© from eggs. Mr Campbell nointed out, that fumigation would destroy the eggs and the insect* before shipment, and carriage m com storage would be beneficial. Mr Attwood said that a large proportion of the bulbs import,ed to New Zealand originated in Holland, and many of them cadio here direct, from that country- “e thought they would overcome a good deal of the difficulty by getting bulbs two ur three months earlier than-they were got now If that were done they would get better bulbs than they were no-w If they oould get buffo whan they were coming to their best instead of being a long way past their best there would be a much better chance of giving aatiriactiom Ho thought that the treatment of butte at the other end would be useless tmless toero was some restriction as to the time of arrival in the Dominion. ~ . Mr Tannock said it seemed to him that a great deal of the trouble here was the result of bad gardening In Dunedin there were growers who had lost practically all their narcissi bulbs through the eel worm. In some cases the bulbs were put into soil that was far too rich, and the conditions were altogether able for their steady growth. He would suggest that a time limit -be lm with regard to the importation of bulbs. That would help very much towards a solution of the trouble. . .. - Mr Green said that the Association ot Nurserymen took a very deep interest in this question. A great many of its members were deeply interested in the importation of bulbs, and for many years the association had been following the question as it operated in the United States. They could not afford to neglect the experience of a great country like America in such a matter. Ihe association felt that some definite steps should be taken. It did not want ot prohibit the importation of anything, but it wanted real safeguards. The protection, afforded at present was not sufficient. Mr M'Kenzie moved;—“That the Horticultural Division he requested to call a conference of representatives of the departmental officers, the Institute of Horticulture (representing the importing public), and the Association of Nurserymen to frame necessary regulations for the control of the importation of bulbs. The motion, which was seconded by Mr A. R. Hadfield, was carried unanimously. RE-NAMING OF RHODODENDRON. The next remit dealt with the question of renaming the rhododendron “Marquis of Lothian.” Mr Christie moved;—“That steps be taken to rename this variety. If agreed to by the relatives of the raiser, the late Mr W. Martin, the name suggested being William Martin.” Mx- Christie stated that Mr Martin was one of the leading horticulturists here in the early days. He raised the variety mentioned above from a cross between two Himalayan varieties. This variety was not known throughout the world through commerce because Mr Martin never distributed it, and at present there were very few specimens in the whole world. This was one of the leading varieties in the crosses of Himalayan rhododendrons. The motion was seconded by Mr Tannock, who stated that the “Marquis of Ixrfhian” was one of the hybrids in existence. He pointed out that Mr Martin named the variety himself, and questioned the right of the institute to alter the name. The President said he was very doubtful about passing a remit of this description. Mr Martin was probably expressing his own wish when he gave the name. Had Mr Martin’s relatives been consulted Mr Christie: Not yet. The President said he did not know of anybody that had the right to alter a name. He did not think the conference had any right to pass a remit of this kind without consulting Mr Martin’s relatives. Mr Green suggested that the matter be referred to the local council to ascertain the wishes of Mr Martin’s relatives. Mr Tannock said there was nothing to prevent anyone from calling the rhododendron “William Martin" now. Mr Green’s suggestion was agreed to. BEAUTIFICATION OF RAILWAY STATIONS. Mr Attwood moved the adoption erf the following- remit: “That the Institute of Horticulture in conference assembled resolve that the time has arrived when a definite plan for the beautification of our railway stations ehoold' be taken in liand (>y the railway authorities. And that in fortheranoe of this idea that the executive bo I‘oqoested to arrange for a deputation from tho institute to wait on the Hon. the Minister of Railways to discuss the matter with him, and that tho Association, of Nurserymen bo asked to send a representative on the deputation.” Tho mover said ho supported the remit most, heartily, but it seemed to him to come a little too early. They were all heartily in support of the beautification of tho railways and of anything else that could ba beautified. Ho was not in favour of so much dependence upon tho Government, and would like an effort to ba made to arouse the interest of people in tho vicinity of every railway station. If they could get these people to put up something they would have somethin a- tangible to put bofore tho Minister. There had been some very fine examples of beautifying up and down tho country, anti this was a thing that, should bo carried on. In seconding the motion Mr Christie stated that, a start had been made in the direction desired,. At some stations keen interest had been taken by the railway officials, and a. lot had been accomplished. He felt sure that, tho nurserymen would take on the work of instructing and would vivo plants for the purpose _ of beautification. He f.lKmcbt the local residents should take the matter up. Mr Tannock said he was strongly in. favour of the proposal. At. Home the railway companies offered prizes for' the best-kept, railway stations, and (he result had been quite satisfactory. If the railwayofficials got a little assistance from the %swal jKsppie* atHKxymoa. and tbesmWfo

gardens, he thought they wcraid get all that was necessary. Mr Green said they had approached the Minister with the object of getting skilled advice in regard to beautification. The Minister could not grant that request; but said ho was prepared to consider the question of offering prizes. Mr Barnett also supported the proposal to enlist the help of local residents. He mentioned that about £l5O was spent in Oamaru last year in beautifying portions of the railway at the entrance to the town. The motion was carried. CITRUS IMPROVEMENT. Mr Green reported on behalf of the Citrus Improvement Committee. He stated that representatives of the citrus fruit growers, the nurserymen, and the institute were got together and it. was decided that the time had arrived when they could not, allow matters to go any further without taking definite action, it had been decided to appoint Mr Rice (Government Orchard Inspector in Auckland) and himself as a committee to take matters in hand. They had spent a considerable amount of time in dealing with the question. They had examined 17 of the best orchards in the ‘Auckland district, and he (Mr Green) had inspected orchards at Tauranga.. They had marked out about 12 trees out. of some thousands as being up to the standard in every respect:. They had made a start, and be believed that there were a few enthusiasts who would carry on. The fruitgrowers would have to do something. If they got together and showed that they were doing something he was sure the Government would assist. There was more first-class citrus land in the North Island and a little in the South Island than there was in the whdTe of California. There was a big future before the industry <in this country. It was absolutely essential for the maintenance and prosperity of the industry that selection work should be carried on continuously. Those interested intended to do all they could to carry on, and they asked for the sympathy, confidence, and moral support of the institute. Votes of thanks were accorded tile Government for the use of rooms for the conference, the departmental officers for their assistance, the president for the excellent manner in which he had conducted the proceedings. Mr Green for his splendid work as secretary, Mr Tannock, Mr Dallas (the minute secretary), and the press. Mrs Hadfield (Bulk), on behalf of the ladies, acknowledged the courtesies extended to them..