MODERN GARDENING METHODS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 13, 11 October 1943, Page 4

MODERN GARDENING METHODS

Crowd At Demonstration DIG FOR VICTORY EVENT IN WELLINGTON

Between 2000 and 3000 people, in spite of rather unfavourable weather, attended a demonstration of modern gardening methods in the Botanical Gardens, Wellington, on Saturday afternoon. They were instructed in how to make and use compost, how to sow seeds and how to plant out seedlings. The event was organized by the Dig for Victory Campaign Committee for Wellington and Lower Hutt, with the active co-operation of the Humic Compost Club, the Junior Chamber of Commerce and the parks and reserves committee of the Wellington City Council. “This is not a stunt campaign, said the chairman of the Wellington Dig for Victory Campaign Committee, Mr. V. E. Hampson-Tindale. Throughout history there had always been a shortage of food in time of war, and after the present conflict the shortage would probably be more acute than ever before in world experience. Meantime it was necessary that New Zealand should grow as many vegetables as possible, particularly during the coming winter, so that bulk supplies could be released for dehydration to meet the needs of Allied forces overseas. The Pacific war had not yet really started, and future demands for food might be staggering in their extent. % Only by individual effort could it be hoped that New Zealand would pull its full weight. After the war, too, the Dominion might be called on to meet enormous demands from other parts of the world, where millions of people had never, lived far above starvation level. “It is up to us to save them if we possibly can,” said Mr. Tindale. , , . ~ Or. R. L. Macalister,. chairman of the parks and reserves committee, said that the city council was 100 per cent, behind the Dig for Victory Committee. Vegetables were going to be in short supply and expensive, and each individual in his own garden could help himself, the State and the armed forces. If any person did not have sufficient garden space, he would, on making application to the parks and reserves office and paying the nominal tee of 2/-, be given a suitable plot, about 4oft. bv 20ft., on the Town Belt. The fact that about 500 . such plots had already been taken up showed that the people of Wellington were responding well to the. campaign. Remarking that many children living in cities did, not really, appreciate the vital importance of the soil, Cr. Macalister urged that every effort should be made to stimulate their interest in gardening. He also congratulated the(director of parks and reserves, Mr. J. G. McKenzie, and his staff on their achievements in the Botanical Gardens. The gardens were a great asset to W elhngton and citizens, he suggested, might well make fuller use of them. - The president of the Wellington Humic Compost Club, Mr. F. Temm, expressing the club’s support of the campaign, said ■ “We believe that a fertile. soil is oneof our most priceless possessions—a living thing that can produce everything re ; auired for human, animal and plant.life. Q The president of the Auckland Dig for Victory Committee, Dr. Guy Chapman, who is also president of the Humic Compost Club,, was the chiet sneaker He explained in detail, while Mr. J. Sterling, foreman of. the Botanical Gardens, and members of his staff demonstrated the manufacture and use of compost. “The making of compost is the most fascinating thing I know of—next to golf,” said Dr. Chapman, amid laughter “You’ve got a lot of rubbish yon were going to throw away; but you make Bomethin«- out of it that you know is vaffiable "and that you would, otherwise have to buy. That I think, is the psy--6 Chapman and other experts present ani ff™ 1 ’ ed questions on gardening methods. OffiuMS of the parks and reserves department, in snecially-prepared plots, demonstrated the. sowing of seeds and the planting out of Among those present were the Director General of Agriculture Mr. E. XFawcett, the Director of the cultural Division, Mr. W. K. Dallas, ana the director of parks and reserves, Mr. ■x-rnKenzie An enjoyable musical pio gramme was provided by the Caledonian Pipe Hand.