NELSON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Colonist, Volume L, Issue 12279, 26 June 1908, Page 2

NELSON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

LECTURE ON ROSES.

Mr James Brace. Agricultural, Instructor to the Nelson fcdocation Board, gave a lecture last evening to members of the Horticultural Society on the "Culture of Roses," ti:e meeting being open to those of the general public who were interested in the subject. There was a good attendance, including a fair proportion of ladies. Mr W. Rout was voted to the" chair. . Mr Bruce gave a great deal of in- 1 formation in his address, which dealt comprehensively with the life history of the queen of flowers, from tbe preparation of the ground for planting to the treatment of pests which attack plant and bloom. He also demonstrated practically the proper method of pruning. In the course of his remarks Mr JtJruce spoke very highly of the suitability of Nelson for rose culture, and, referring to the work of the Horticultural Society, he suggested that it should apply for affiliation with the Royal Horticultural Society of England, and subscribe to some of the leading horticultural publications for the benefit of membors, and the advancement of horticulture. These suggestions are likely to be acted' upon. Upon the important branch of rose culture — manuring — Mr Bruce gave a lot of useful information, and two of his formulae for tbe use of ariflcial fertilizers are as follows:— To be used in tho spring; 12 parts of superphosphate, 10 parta of nitrate of potash, 2 parts sulphate of magnesia, one part sulphate of iron, and .8 parts sulphate of lime. "He was not insistent about the inclusion of the iron, being of opinion that most soila contained a sufficiency for plant life, but the foregoing formula was based upou an analysis of the ash of the rose tree, and contained all the constituents of the plant. It should be applied lozs to the square yard. A liquid manure for wsekly application when the buds begin tj colour is formed of 12 parts of superphosphates, 4 parts of nitrate of soda, 4 parts of sulphate of potash, ; one ounce of the mixture to tho gallon of water. This could be varied with the use of sulphate of ammonia, but the two should never be used together. At the close of the address, many questions were answered, and Mr Bruce said that he bad come forward more with the view of creating discussion than of giving a set lecture, and to start meetings of the Society for the imparting and receiving of information regarding any particular branoh of horticulture in general. He expressed the hope that other members would come forward as he had done. A hearty vote of thanks was acj corded Mr Bruce on the motion of Messrs Moller and Heaps.