The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 1883. Floriculture.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 950, 23 May 1883, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 1883. Floriculture.

A new arrival in the colonies cannot fail to be struck by one feature in our country life which offers a strong contrast to that of England. Go where you will outside the] larger cities in Great Britain and the eye will be gladdened with the sight of carefully cultivated flower gardens, affording a pleasant relief to the monotony of the landscape. This love for the floral beauties of nature is in nowise confined to the higher and middle classes of society, for the humblest cottar prizes his small patch of ground with its welltended rosebushes, geraniums, and stocks, quite as much as the wealthy landowner does his vast conservatories and ornamental lawns. If the question were asked as to why the average New Zealander cares little or nothing for these things,The answer would probably be that the life we live here is too busy for us to waste time on such matters, and yet we venture to say that a taste for floriculture would go a good way in removing the vulgarity of thought and speech that undoubtedly exists in this part of the world. We do not mean to assert that a sensibility to the external beauties of nature, such as is shown by a love for flowers, is altogether wanting in the colony. There are a number of horticultural societies in New Zealand, and some of the members of these display considerable enthusiasm. But this enthusiasm is principally confined to a very few, and the whole burden of working the societies is thrown upon these, while the majority fancy all that is required of them is an annual subscription and some slight interest when periodical shows are held. Now, as we take it, the object of the institutions referred to is not limited to the arranging of exhibitions, but they desire also to promote a healthy inrerest in the art of floriculture. Here in Ashburton we

have a Horticultural Society, and so far as the display of beautiful plants at the various shows is con<~ rned, we have every reason to be proud of the work done. Still we have only to consult the catalogues to see that if the number of the exhibits is large, there are comparatively few exhibitors; and the fact that the meetings of the Society have frequently been postponed, owing to the small attendance, is evidence that only one or two members concern themselves with the practical business of the association. Then, again, one has but to take a stroll on the outskirts of the town to become aware of the scarcity of flower gardens in this district, people appearing to prefer rank grass growing up to their doorsteps, while the expenditure of a very little money would turn an eyesore into a delight. This apathy is not creditable to us, and the Horticultural Society should attempt to do something to improve the popular taste in this direction. The members certainly want rousing up, and we hope that at the meeting to be held this evening some of the more enthusiastic of them will move in the matter.