MODERN GARDEN WORK

Chronicle (Levin), 21 February 1947, Page 4

MODERN GARDEN WORK

Levin School's Interesting Project At least one garden m Levin appears to have wholly escaped Visitation by the recent gale. The property of the Levin Priiilary School, it presented a sight which would be the envy of rfiany professional gardehers in the district. ( When visited this morning, the headmaster of the school, Mr. H. F. McClune, was busy superyising the industriouS efforts of a group bf his Sehior pupils. When complimented on the high stahdard achieved, he said this section of ihe school curriculum was very popular with the boys, besides which it gave them a flrst hand knowledge of scientific gardening and an opportunity of learning to use mOderh garden implements and sprays. Under his expert supervision, Fred Barnes and Ross Knight were introduced to the intricacies of a ihechanical seed sowing machine, while in ahother corner of the garden Brian Warman, Kay Hewitt and Victor Millard were manipulating plant sprayers with the cohfidence Of veterans. Possibly the most conspicuous section of the gardeh is that whieh ts confined to the growing of toifiatoes. This year's crop is an outstanding one and possibly one of the best in Levin. Adequately shellered by a macrocarpa wind break, the plants were untouched by the recent gale and are now heavlly laden with fruit of surprising pronortions.

The vegetables derived from the garden are sold at the school's annual fete and the proceeds are used for the benefit of the school. This year it is hoped to use the money for library replacements. The success of the scheme is due largely to.the co-operation of the parents, who make available plants and seed. Yesterday morning a number of cauliflower -and cabbage plants were received and these were bsing planted ou'; by the pupils while a "Chronicle" repfesentative was inspecting the garden. The flower gardens ard main - tained by the various classes, each class having its own particular plot. Compost heaps, similar in principle to that displayed at a recent show by Mr. T. Petty, are used by the school, the main feature neing the formation of an air chambsr underneath the heap. In another corner of the school grounds is the native flora plantation, which is now almost 20 years old and is maintained by the 90 odd members of the school junior Native Flora Club. This is believed to be the only school in New Zealand which has a plantation of this kind, and each tree or shrub is appropriately labelled. "It is really SUrprisng what the children have learnt about native trees," commented Mr. McClune. The section was in charge of Mr. W. O. Neas, a master of the school, and considerable assistance was given by the club's parent body, the Levin Native Flora Club, which Mr. McClune claimed WaS the strongest club of its kind in New Zealand.