TARANAKI NURSERYMEN

Taranaki Daily News, 23 November 1926, Page 4

TARANAKI NURSERYMEN

ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING. KEEN INTEREST DISPLAYED. The annual meeting of the Taranaki Nurserymen’s Council was held in the office of Messrs. Duff and Wynyard, New Plymouth, yesterday. There was a large gathering of members present from all parts of Taranaki. The president (Mr. F. J. Morehead) occupied the ehair, and welcomed the members and visitors, the latter including Mr. Geo. A. Grpcn, Dominion secretary, who had come from Auckland to attend the gathering. Apologies were received from Messrs. Topless (Urenni), Staub and Rowers (Hawera), and Messrs. Groom, Purdie, Gavey, Watkins and Stewart (New Plymouth). There was also an apology from Mr. Thus. Horton, a past Dominion president. The chairman stated that the gathering was the largest of its kind that had ever been held in New Plymouth. He was pleased at the interest manifested in the work of the Council, which stood not only for the benefit of the members but for the advancement of every horticultural interest of the province. The annual report was presented by the secretary, Mr. G. 11. Mills, of Normanby. This mentioned the many matters that had been attended to in the past year. Not the least amongst these had 'been the combined forestry exhibit held in Hawera last winter. Arrangements bad been successfully carried out by which all the horticuitrual shows in the province had been assisted by the council. It was noted with pleasure that the botanical survey of the Egmont National Park had been completed, also that the regulations for the education course preparatory to Hie examination for the diploma in horticulture was now ready to be put into active operation. The chairman remarked on the value of this course to the nursery and horticultural interests. He felt sure that the council and its members wotild do all its their power to further the objects of the Institute of Horticulture. The work of the local council had gone on smoothly and many little matters had been successfully adjusted. The membership of the council was 18. The report was received, and the secretary was directed to supply a copy for presentation to the conference. The financial statement showed that there was a substantial credit balance. This was adopted. The president stated that the annual conference would be held in the first week in January in Auckland, the executive meeting being held on Monday afternoon, January 3, while the conference would be opened on the morning of January 4 by the Hou. O. Ha when. A number of remits were prepared and passed for the conference. These included: “That the conference pass a vote of thanks to the secretary for the improved appearance of the association’s publication.” Another recommended that the issue be authorised for 1927, on the same basis as formerly. It was also agreed to recommend that it should contain certain matter. The principle of grading nursery stock was approved, and it was decided to ask the conference to urge a wider use of this, a method calculated to inspire confidence in both wholesale and retail buyers of nursery stock. The trials made last season in grading had proved satisfactory. EDUCATION AND PROGRESS NEEDED. Mr. Green gave a short address on the past year’s experiences throughout the Dominion and the trend of the trade. He said the need for horticultural education was felt everywhere, and at last its pressing need was being recognised by many. No form of horticulture stood* more in need of trained men than did the nursery, fruit culture and landscape sections. A start was being made in connection with the diploma it would take time to properly train our own boys. There had been a shortage in some lines during the last season, especially in the stone fruits and the choice shrubs of fairly large size. Mr. Green urged that there should be increased production in the latter lines especially, and while in roses, bulbs and some other horticultural products the Dominion was well abreast of the other countries of the Empire in the matter of choice shrubs and some new fruits there was room for considerable advance. In citrus culture and the growth of the “Avacado” there was a large future. The lemon industry was fast assuming large proportions, and it was only & matter of time when the orange, the grape fruit and the Avacado and other subtropical fruits must come into their own in the Dominion. He advocated up-to-date advertising, both individual and collective. The Press was the popular educator of the. day. (Applause.) The election of officers resulted:— Taranaki president, Mr. VV. Moss (Ngaere); vice-president, Mr. W. Pettigrew (Stratford); secretary and treasurer, Mr. F, J. Morshead (New Plymouth); auditor, Mr. G. 11. Mills (Normanhy). The time and place of the next meeting was left to the president and secretary to arrange. It was decided to support the nominations of Messrs. T. Waugh and Herbert J. Poole for the offices of Dominion president and viee-preeident. VISIT TO PLANTATIONS. Tn the afternoon the members of the nurserymen’s conference were the guests of Mr.’ Victor C. Davies, and conducted by Messis. V. C. Davies and Mr. R. Davies they were taken out and inspected the nurseries and afforestation works in progress. Before returning to town, Mr. Green, on behalf of the visitors, thanked the Davies Bros, for the afternoon’s outing and the many lessons learned.