Dominion Becoming More And More Garden Minded

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 April 1949, Page 6

Dominion Becoming More And More Garden Minded

The work of horticultural societies throughout the Dominion was of inestimable value in the life of the country in bringing greater beauty into the countryside which brought with it greater happiness for the people, said the Minister of Agriculture (Mr, Cullen) when he opened the National chrysanthemum show in the Drill Hall. In countries where horticultural societies ware .active, said the Minister, there was a different attitude toward life and world affairs than in those countries where they were not operating. They served a necessary purpose in the national life in instilling a love of beauty which was reflected in the lives of the people themselves. The horticulturists of New Zealand were now closely co-operating with the Department of Agriculture and much good would come of this close liaison, said the Minister. It was through the efforts of the societies that there was such a keen interest in home gardens and these gardens had now become a feature of the State housing areas. As a rose grower, the Minister said that he had felt it was necessary to study the background of the chrysanthemum before opening the show. It was akin to the rose insofar as it was an old flower. He had found that there were more than 150 recognisable specimens in temperate climes throughout the world but mainly in the Old World. It was thought that the chrysanthemum was a native of China where it originated about 1000 years B.C. In the year 730 it was brought to Japan and subsequently became so popular that it was known as the queen of the flowers. In the Ifith century it was taken to England where it was successfully cultivated. The horticultural societies of New Zealand had shouldered a hig responsioility in inculcating into the hearts of the people a love of beautiful flowers and gardens. They were working to create something beautiful and were carrying out a work of love. The people of New Zealand were becoming more garden conscious than in the past and this was evident in all parts of the country The people of New Zealand had a heritage to maintain and that was the preservation of the native flora which was being endangered by erosion in the hills. The Minister extended his congratulations to the Wanganui Horticultural Society for organising the show, winning exhibitors, and those who had come from all parts of the Dominion to show their blooms.