Further World Renown For Otaki Flowers

Chronicle (Levin), 6 April 1949, Page 2

Further World Renown For Otaki Flowers

; Otaki has been aptly described ■ by Lady Bledisloe as "the place L where violets grow." Gracie Fiel'ds - gave "The Song of the Bleeding i- Heart" as a reward for a bouquet ! of these dainty blooms. Mrs. t Eleanor Roosevelt was delighied with some of Otaki's wonderful . daphne. These striking testimonr ials add lustre to the reputation L the town's wonderful climate ■ already enjoys. ; Now comes the news that papers : sent Home from "God's Own ■ Country" with 'descriptions of L Otaki-raised carnations have been ! read by noted English horticulture ists. Mention of che grower's name has resuited in further particulars being sought by air'maii. Flowers and slips were consigned by return air mail and these are reported to have all arrived in good order, and to have given much pleasure to the recipients, with 100 per cent. success from slips grown. Further reports received state that the war sadly checked stocks of plants among other things, and the aim now is to replace with the world's best. A large order recently received has been despatched as a free gift to the Royal Horticultural Society by Mr. J. C. Meyer, of Otaki Railway, as a good-will offering, Mr. Meyer's mother and grandmother having arrive'd in New Zealand from London in 1850. Plants selected- have been best sellers and highly praised by New Zealand growers for many years, and were raised from stocks of Otaki Pink (Frank Aldridge), the varieties being Delight and Glory.