DUNEDIN GARDENING CLUB

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23866, 21 July 1939, Page 13

DUNEDIN GARDENING CLUB

“HORTICULTURAL IMPRESSIONS

ABROAD "

At the fortnightly meeting of the Dunedin Gardening Club on Tuesday evening, Mr G. J. Errington delivered an interesting address on “Horticultural Impressions Abroad.” Mr Errington visited about 36 countries in Europe. Asia and America and the islands of the tropics. America, he said, was the place of great distances, of great variation, of temperatures and of climate. Some districts were too dry, and some too wet. Under these circumstances, no general rules applied. In the northern States, the winters were long and severe and greenhouse culture had to be used for the supply of cut flowers during a large part of the year. Much skill was evident In the production out of their usual season, and the shops were showing in the spring violets, tulips, sweet peas, roses, gladiolis and rununculas, as well as a host of the usual indoor-grown flowers such as orchids. The prices, of course, were In keeping, and a spray of two orchids cost about 25s and a spray of roses or sweet peas 15s. In the southern States there was a distinct contrast, flowering shrubs predominating and bouganvillies, hybiscus and pounsettias also doing well. On the way across the southern States there was a large tract of desert land which was the home of the cactus. Many weird and grotesque forms were seen! with brilliant coloured flowers. In Washington City, the cherry trees were in bloom and presented a beautiful sight. The city was carefully planned and charmingly laid out. Its parks and trees, its beautiful buildings and the flowering trees and shrubs, with the' cherries predominating, attracted the attention of the visitor, and made Washington outstandingly attractive.

In Canada, the summer was very short, and for eight months of the year the cut flower trade was dependent on greenhouse culture. The winter was very severe, and outdoor cultivation was out of the question. In New York, the winter is long and severe, and at the narcissus show it was evident that that plant did not grow as well as it did in more temperative climates England was reached at tulip time, which was the end of May. Covent Garden and florist shops were always a source of admiration, and pleasure, sfiid the speaker Flowers of all sorts seemed to gravitate to London from all quarters, and the huge supplies that came from the southern counties and the Channel Islands had to be seen to be believed. Later in the season, the various gardens and countryside of England presented a charming sight. The public gardens of Edinburgh and Dublin were well set out and were in competent hands. Outstanding features of horticultural work in England were the efforts of the National Tulip and Gladioli Societies to popularise those flowers. The garden beds near Buckingham Palace were taken in hand by the Tulip Society to show the advancement that British growers had made in the way of new varieties. The gay colours o* the various beds made an attractive picture, and one could not help admitting that the claim of quality as well as quantity was justified. At one end of Victoria Park and near to Big Ben and the Embankment a huge section had been set aside for the members of the National Gladioli Society. The immense border, which was the width of the park and about 20 feet deep, was filled with the best and latest gladioli, 'some 40,000 being used. Mr Errington said that it would be a good idea if some of the Horticultural Societies in Dunedin would take up the suggestion. It would be to their advantage, and would be a valuable asset to the town.

The Chelsea Flower Show was considered the best in the world, practically all the exhibits being grown under glass, and the neatness and the beautiful colouring beggared description The trade exhibits were numerous, being large and comprehensive. Altogether, the Chelsea Show was a fine collection of the best that could be grown under glass. The blooms were of the highest quality. The show provided the opportunity of viewing the products from some of the wealthy homes of Britain, where fortunes were spent in collecting rare and beautiful plants, and where expense was no object in their cultivation. Mr Errington dealt with horticultural matters in the various countries that he visited, both in tropical and temperate climates, and said that the impression that remained with him after his tour through the various countries was that England led in the production of the choicest flowers under glass, and that at the Chelsea Show could be seen the finest collection of those flowers that needed so much capital to purchase and to cultivate. America came a good second, and in some departments the production of blooms for the cut flower trade was outstanding. Another impression was that New Zealanders did not appreciate as they should their good fortune in having a mild climate and a naturally rich soil, with a minimum of pests. Among the temperate climates Mr Errington had yet to find a country that could produce choicer blooms from average cottage gardens. At the conclusion of the address Mr Errington was accorded a vote of thanks for his interesting talk. Mr J. Passmore presided over the meeting.