W.I. GARDENING CIRCLE

Taupo Times, Volume III, Issue 108, 19 February 1954, Page 2

W.I. GARDENING CIRCLE

VISIT TO NATIVE BUSH PLANTATION Cool shady walks were a pleasant respite from Taupo's summer heat for some .fifteen members of the Women's Institute Gardening^Circle, assembled recently on Mr and Mrs W. King's property, on the banks of the Waikato River, for their February meeting. It was the third successive year in which such a visit to Mr and Mrs King's plantation of native bush trees and shrubs had been made by the members of the Circle. Mrs King proved an able guide, pointing out the different native species growing along the paths. All the larger trees, manuka, fivefinger and kohuhu (also known to the Taupo Maori people as kowhiwhi, and often popularly called matipou), were already growing when Mr and Mrs King decided to "make" their bush. Now it is amazing what is to be found growing quite happily in their adopted home. Young rimus look particularly thriving. Totaras, too, like the position, and besides these are young matais, miros, putaputa-wetas, olearias and others. Ferns, too, are growing well and certainly add to the bush setting, many varieties being seen. A picnic afternoon tea was served under an ancient pine, bringing to a close a most interesting afternoon. Thanks were accorded Mr and Mrs King for their hospitality.