INSTITUTE AIMS TO FOSTER HORTICULTURE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17756, 28 January 1926, Page 9

INSTITUTE AIMS TO FOSTER HORTICULTURE

Per Press Association. DUNEDIN. January 27. The mid-summer conference of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture was opened at the Exhibition bv the Mayor. Mr H. L. Tapley. who welcomed the delegates who were present 'from all parts of the Dominion. He stressed the need for horticultural training and education. He strongly advocated the preservation and cultivation of native flora. The institute was doing good work and the Education Department should take up the matter. Diplomas were needed to give horticulture a status. Mr F. T. Nathan. president of the institute, in his inaugural address outlined the history of the institute, its work, and stated it aimed to encourage and foster every branch of horticulture. Jt would do for New Zealand horticulture what the Roval Horticulaural Society had done for England. Jle pai dtriubute to the early workers, mentioning Dr Cockayne as past president. The education report was awaited. It was in good hands. Dr E. Marsden being chairman. The institute stood for aesthetic as well as economic horticulture. The present value of horticulture products was over £o.000,00(J. The following remits were passed : “ That the conference take the neces•ary steps to find out what support a weekly gardening paper would obtain. “ That the council have prepared sets of slides on horticultural subjects for loan to district councils. “ That a national botanic garden is necessary for the Dominion.”