The Daily News. THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1914. THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 41, 9 July 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1914. THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

With the retiring -president of the New Plymouth Horticultural Society, Mr. S. W. Shaw. we agree that to allow thut useful institution to xade away and die would be a standing reproach to the community, and a misfortune. It is certainly remarkable that in New Plymouth, tiie eapital of the "Garden of New Zealand," a locality especially favored by Nature for the cultivation of (lowers aud fruit, the Society should lead such a precarious life as has been its lot for several years past. From time to time there have been spasmodic upheavals of enthusiasip, but as often as not these have retired simultaneously with the responsible secretary. One recalls with pleasure the yeoman services of the late Mr. J. C. George, Messrs <T. Paton, A. L. Humphries, W. P. Mico'l, and the doyen of workers, Mr. G. H. McGahey, who followed a useful life oa the committee by a successful occupancy of. the president's chair, and later by a term as secretary. The ranks of the lady workers have changed but little. These pillars of the Society, fortunately, remain at their posts. But for some reason or other there is not tJhe healthy influx year by year of the young gardeners. It may be that the very ea3e of cultivation which should ensure hearty support is responsible for the lack of it, for the reason that things easily acquired are never greatly prized. Were it more difficult to produce typical blooms and prime vegetables, there might be more interest evinced. Certain it is that in Xormanby, Stratford, Inglewood, Tariki, Opunake, Kaponga, Manaia and other towns in Taranaki the horticultural shows are more loyally supported, though the gardeners have to attend more carefully to their gardens to get the best results. It is questionable whether the proposed appointment of a lady secretary will be a good move; probably it will not. The Society would be glad, doubtless, of any suggestion whidh would lead to a more liberal appreciation of its labors and the consequent benefits, and it is to be hope I tliat these will bo forthcoming and wiil effect the desired result.