CULTIVATION OF FLOWERS

Wairarapa Daily Times, 27 November 1926, Page 6

CULTIVATION OF FLOWERS

PRIZE ESSAYS. The following are .the prize essays in. connection with the Horticultural Show this week, Dorothy Green and Arthur Prior tieing for first place, and Marjory MacKey being third: Dorothy Green, Standard 6, Lansdowne:—The Cultivation of-Flowers, ) and the Work of the Mastertoiv Horti-

cultural Society— Perhaps,, if we were v to .study the different beautiful possessions our world has, we would find that the flowers were the prettiest and most (beautiful of all. To cultivate these flowers, and to produce bigger and better blooms is the work of the Horticultural Society. The flowers are the joy of our lives, because they make us feel happj . and bright (by their pretty and varied tints; jb<ut on the mountain tops, and in the •deserts where nothing will grow, all is dull, and only tourists go there. In •every bloom wo see the Power and wonderful Hand which made them. At the end of every month our gardens have a different appearance from that which they had at the beginning. In the spring months some flowers burst into bloom, but others wait for summer when they will attract the bees to carry away the pollen from their blooms, and to bring some more (to them. The blossoms of the fruit trees appear about the eight month of the year, and gradually, as summer conies creeping in, the fruit takes the places of the blossoms. Dandelions and daisies appear in tho lawns and other flowers nod their heads at us. As March comes along, careful staking must be done to secure the frail plants from, being 'broken by the Equinoxial gales. Before Jack Frost comes, careful attention should be given to plants, which may be killed by him. M.inter comes, the" trees shed their leaves, and some, yd ants wither away, but others fall asleep to wait for the spring of the next year. All plants "are being studied and improved upon every year, 'by people interested in the cultivation of flowers. While the year goes on thus, the citizens of the town arc preparing for the different shows in which they can compete with each other and try to gain prizes.. It is with this competition that our industries increase, and, since it was first formed, the Horticultural Society has helped a great deal with the cultivation of flowers in our district.

Arthur N. Prior, Standard 6, Mastertoil Central School, November 23rd, 1926.—What an important asset is the cultivation of flowers in making a better place of New Zealand. How much less beauty there would be in onr country if our beauty-loving citizens did not cultivate their extensive gardens!

•New Zealand is exceptionally fortunate in having a climate which permits certain flowers to grow in each and every season of the year. Annuals, such as chrysanthemums, dahlias, and asters, biennials, such as stocks and wallflowers, and perennials, such as roses, calcolarias and lavenders, grow plentifully. Some flowers, such as marigolds, thrive all the year round. Wo can •cultivate flowers that thrive in the shade and flowers that thrive in the sunshine; alpine flowers and tropical flowers; flowers that grow thickly and flowers that grow far apart. Therefore, it is but reasonable to expect >us to take full advantage of our temperate climate and priviliged conditions, and cultivate oilr gardens, however small they be, in the best pos.ible way, in order to make “Glorious i\ew Zealand” even more worthy of its title. In winter we should prepare and fertilise the ground to the proper extent; in spring we should sow the seeds in. the right way; and afterwards we should tend the plants carefully and well. The "Masterton Horticultural Society lias organised spring and autumn shows and has given prizes for the best- flowers, fruits, and vegetables shown. Thes 6 shown benefit not only the prize-win-ners, but also all who enter or attend. They can see the plants other people are growing, and try to produce better themselves.

Marjory Mackay. Standard 5. —Of alj Nature's luxuriant gifts, the flowers are the most magnificent, whose fragrant ldoonis cheer us on our way, and firing joy and happiness to every living ■soul that look upon them. The cultivation of flowers is a joy denied to no one.

Watching tender shoots peep out from the brown earth is a very interesting process. Most flowers of bright appearance have a more delicate •perfume than some of the plainer flowers that- have a strong, but sweet scent.

from the tiny flowers that often border a garden to the tail stately rose trees, the bees hum and buzz to, like a mother tending and encouraging her little loved ones. How the flowers love tlio sunshine! they lift their heads in greeting, and as the young buds burst, the garden ’becomes a filaze of myriads of colours that fill the owner with pride and her friends with admiration ilt the wondrous beauty.

A most interesting and magnificent display is held annually by the Horticultural Society, in which there is a keen competition. There we find a worthy display shown by .keen horticulturists. We also find vegetables grown to perfection in quality and size. The aim is to encourage people in the 'beauties of the garden, and make them lead a very healthy and happy life —a very worthy object.