BUD SELECTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16984, 7 March 1923, Page 4

BUD SELECTION.

4. WORK OF INSTITUTE OF HORTICULTURE. Some interesting information was given to-day by Mr George A. Green, honorary secretary of the Institute of Horticulture, as to the work in progress. The principal activity at present is being carried out by the Teviot branch at Roxburgh, although in a lesser degree the work is being carried forward in Canterbury, Hawke’s Bay, and Auckland. Air Green has just returned from Roxburgh, where he states the committee is very keen. Now and improved varieties of apricots are under test. Last month some 15,000 buds were selected and forwarded for propagation to the leading fruit tree nurserymen of the Dominion. This made some 25,000 Inids selected from upproved types of the best- varieties of apricots in the last two seasons. It is hoped that within a short time all the propagating material for all classes of fruit will l>e selected by the committees of the institute in various districts from their very best stocks only, selected with a® much care as is now the case with prize stock. “ What cow testing is doing for the dairy farmer scientific bud selection will do for the orchardist.” stated Mr Green. “ When the. aims and objects of the Institute of Horticulture are better known and the fact that it aims at improving the conditions aesthetically, as well as economically, and educationally. it will receive that full measure of support which its merits demand.”