BOTANICAL STUDY

Hokitika Guardian, 23 January 1931, Page 3

BOTANICAL STUDY

DOMINION SCIENTIST. RETURN FROM THE CONGRESS. PALMERSTON N.. January 20. Important spheres of botanical study and research have been investigated by Dr Id. H. Allan, systematic botanist at the Palmerston North Plant Research Station, while in England. Dr Allan represented the New Zealand Institute, the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, the State Forestry Service and the Palmerston North Plan Research Station at th(> fifth International Botanical Congress at Cambridge, where there were represented some thirty-five nations. Dr Allan addressed botfi the ecological and the taxonomic sections, and took part in a number of discussions. Botanists the world over are already deeply interested in the- wor of Dr L. Cockayne and Dr Allan on wild hybridism in the New Zealand flora, and members of the congress took every opportunity to discuss firsthand with Dr Allan the findings and views of New Zealand botanists on these fjuestions. It was decided that changes be made in the rules governing tin* treatment of hybiids in taxonomy until a committee, on which New Zealand was represented, had met and furnished its recommendations.

Dr Allan attended several meetings of the I.innaean Society and was admitted to its fellowship. Illustrating his remarks by lantern slides, he addressed a largely-attended meeting on wild hydribs in New Zealand. Dr Allan stated that conclusive reresults definitely establishing the value of Spartina grass for reclamation purposes had been obtained in Holland, where he gained information of great value to the work being done on grass in New Zealand mud flat areas by Mr K. W. Dalrymple, at Bulls.

Dr Allan said it was interesting to note that full use was .made in gardens in the south and west of England of New Zealand'" flax, the cabbage tree, the toi-toi, and several of the more showy koromikos.