HORTICULTURE

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXVIII, Issue 126, 23 May 1932, Page 6

HORTICULTURE

INFLUENCE €>N HUMANITY AN INTERESTING INTERVIEW Mr J. N. McLeod N.D.H. (N.Z.) of Christchurch, president of the® N.Z. Horticultural Trades Association, Inc. secretary of the. Institute Council of Canterbury and lecturer on horticulture at the Technical College, Christchurch, stated in the course of an interview: —

After a lifelong experience in this particular branch of industry, I would suggest that it is not only the oldest, and most intriguing but the most interesting and the most profitable of any industry known to man.

The Oldest Science

History abundantly proves that it is the eldest in the Book of Genesis, Chapter 2 and verse 3 we read “And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden and there he put the man whom he had formed and put him into the garden to dress it and keep it.” Later we find that in consequence of his disobedience the man and his wife were put out of the garden, and instead of his good and easy job as garden dressing and keeping, he had to till the ground and also contend with all kinds of noxious weeds and “In the sweat of his face he ate his bread. Instead of being a gardener he was compelled to become a farmer.” lam sure that you will pardon me for suggesting that this accounts for a great deal of the disgruntled and complaining attitude of the farmer to the present day. Values and the Fanner I am sure we extend to our farmer friends our sympathy as we know that in the majority of cases he is struggling to meet impossible obligations, owing to the outrageous land values now obtaining. While we recognise the difficulties the farmers are placed under, we have also to recognise the difficulties of other sections of the community. The consumers even in a young country like our own play an important part in our national life, and while we admit the importance of the overseas market, the local market deserves to be developed to the utmost and to be fed of our best. It is close to our doors in summer and in winter, in peace and in war and at the moment the internal trade of New Zealand amounts to nearly 65 per cent, of our total trade. This speaks for itself Peter Henderson the great horticulturist of last century said in his book “Florticulture,” “In every country of the world the Home Markets are the best markets. Let us always feed them and encourage them to the utmost.”

Horticulture in General

Returning to the subject of horticulture, we submit with the utmost confidence that horticulture is not only the oldest but the most interesting subject on account of the many and varied subjects covered. Horticulture occupies a prominent position at the head of all forms of land development, both regarding its usefulness and beauty. Horticulture is the highest form of agriculture. Horticulture secures by intensive culture the greatest return of any form of land cultivation possible.

I always feel that it is a good policy to obey the laws of nature and in obeying these laws to obey the laws of nature's God. A capable horticulturist whether he or she be amateur or professional, must if they are to succeed be reasonably well educated and well trained. A knowledge of soils and their management are perquisites to success. Some knowledge of plant life and its botany—both in the native, and cultivated state is requisite to the greatest pleasure and profit in the practice of horticulture. In order to excel the horticulturist should study many things and many circumstances, each plant has its own particular constitution, and its peculiarities. A knowledge of these gives a wonderful zest to the study of horticulture. One of the first items necessary to be considered is the natural habitat of the plant—whether it is tropical, sub-tropical of cold climate. Then as to the condition under which any particular plant will thrive best, whether in the bright sunlight, in the shade, or in the partial shade. Then there are the soils —and these are very varied, and we need to know something of the soils which the different plants succeed best in. Then there is the amount of moisture required—all this needs knowledge and also experience. Then the climate has a great effect on plant life. One plant will stand the

frost well, another is impatient of even a slight frost while others will adapt themselves to quite a variety of conditions. Then many plants love lime, while others like Azalias and Rhododendrons, will not succeed well if there is lime in the soil to any extent, and will even die if the lime is over a certain content. Hence as we have said, the study of horticulture is the most interesting one that can well be undertaken.