Pruning and Grafting.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 415, 14 May 1902, Page 2

Pruning and Grafting.

LECTURE BY MR BOLTON.

A large number assembled in the schooli house at Frasertown to listen to a lecture i on “ Practical Technical Work,” given by i, Mr Bolton, late master of the Makauri i school. The Rev. Mr Butterfield took the chair. The subject is one with which Mr Bolton is thoroughly conversant, and his remarks proved instructive and entertaining. The lecture took the form of an exhibition of trees pruned and others neglected, these were in tubs, side by side, so that ooe could see by a glance where 1 the fault lay. His subject was composed of budding and grafting, layering, etc. He . also illustrated on the blackboard various . forms of root-grafting, and how to make i old trees new, the way to prepare root i stock, etc., keeping the attention of the [ audience. He then proceeded to practically do the budding and asked for.their [ extra attention as it was the most critical . part of the performance, and that ha t would ask everyone present to perform . the work when he had finished, as he had brought bundles of stock and scions for the occasion. These were handed round i and it was very gratifying to see how cheerfully everyone present took a part, and some excellent work was done, the ! ladies taking their part creditably. In his remarks he dwelt for some time on ; the state of orchards in this district, and showed how with a little judicious working round the roots, with spraying and pruning to restore them to their normal condition again instead of being sapped of their nourishment by mosses, lichens, and scale, and would the second year bear heavy crops. The district is thoroughly adapted to fruit growing of a superior class. And now as they were erecting a co-operative dairy factory, why not ha e a fruit depot and go m for the pulping of fruit which would cost almost nothing to work; the same engine would heat the fruit, and there was a large market for such treated fruits in the Mother Country. As they brought the milk to the factory so they could take down what fruit they had ready. The whole process is simple and cheap. Canning, drying, and other methods of preserving could, after a little, be carried on. England is now looking to the colonies for jams for the Army, and the fruit grown in this district could easily be disposed of if put up in the manner above-mentioned. The great aim of our Government and inspector of schools is to introduce real practical technical work into the schools, that will be beneficial to the pupils when they leave to go into the world to fight the battle of life. Now I maintain, said Mr Bolton, that nothing could be of greater importance than a knowledge of horticulture, it is a subject that children love and should claim a place in the present syllabus. School gardens have been established where possible and with good results, and thus turn the child’s love of flowers to account. Love, patience and all the virtues are continually at work, they learn patience by waiting the result of their planting and tender nursing, and at last are richly rewarded. No teaching is so deeply rooted and enduring as this. Parents should** 8 ®*B*’ 8 *’

encourage their children •to cultivate a

taste for this spiritulising and enjoyable pursuit. Help them in every particular and encourage in them a taste for the beautiful, it teaches diligence which embraces so much. There can be no purer happiness than gardening. No matter how squalid a hut may look it can always bb redeemed by flowers, creepers, etc. The

lecture now came to a close. The Rev. Mr

Butterfield proposed a hearty vote o l

thanks to Mr Bolton for his practical and demonstrative address. A hearty vote of

thanks was proposed to the chairman an 4 this closed the proceedings. (j?he audience taking with them the results of their

handiwork,