CHILDREN’S GARDEN CIRCLE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 41, 18 February 1939, Page 13

CHILDREN’S GARDEN CIRCLE

Well, Members, — • I think those of you who were lucky enough to see the show at New Plymouth were fortunate indeed, it was really a wonderful effort and just showed the people there what we can do. Although I was only there for the day there was a continual crowd in front of the exhibit, and it made one feel proud to belong to this Garden Circle of ours. Now, I wish to thank all those of our members who worked so nobly at this end. Had it not been for their work we would have been very short indeed, and what a job I had packing it all in the car. When we arrived “Carnatio” wondered how I had got so much stowed away. However, it arrived in good order, and everyone worked so hard as we had to be finished by dinnertime.

Amongst others whose efforts were invaluable to us was Mr. Kennedy, who ladened us with his choicest flowers for the bowls and baskets decorated up there, also Mr. R. Earle, who gave of his best; and last, but by no means least, there were all our committee members—nothing seemed too much trouble for them, both those at this end, and the members of the special committee set up to arrange for exhibits, and finally stage, etc., afterwards packing up and sending our things home. The. general effect was most praiseworthy, the floral ladies being a special feature. 1 have several ladies, saucers, etc. at my home, and would be pleased if the members concerned could arrange to have them collected at any time. It may be as well to ring the house to make sure someone is at home before calling. Now, I appealed to you not very long- ago, for any of you who had daffodils to spare to send them along for our very new members, and to those who have done so, again thank you. We still need more. What about some of you that may have missed my first appeal, seeing what you can do about it! Uncle Wai sent in a big lot of seed for the new members, and I think it would be nice if some of you wrote to him and thanked him. Also, don’t forget “Carnatio” is waiting for lots of you to write him all about your gardens. We will have to get busy soon on demonstrations, so buck up with those gardens. Ta, ta for now, your secretary, J. A. SHANKS.

Dear Members, —Back to school again also means back to the C.G.C., for our important work o£ demonstrating floral art to you all will shortly be commencing again. This month and next are really important ones for C.G.C. members, for it is the work that you do during the two months that will assist you toward making a display at the next Children’s Show. Daffodils, which play an important part at our show, should all now be planted, so if you know of any children who are thinking of joining our happ_y band now is the golden time to join. All new members who have not received their daffodils vet may expect them during next

weak, so get busy, little fingers and prepare your beds so that everything will be ready for your bulbs. Children who wish to join have only to send along their shilling with their full name, address and age, to “Carnatio," c/o Chronicle, or any district secretary. Hurry, children, and join our merry band of gardeners. District committees are asked to make a special effort to get new members right now, so that they may receive suitable bulbs and seeds for display at our spring show. So with the best of luck, yours truly, “CARNATIO.” NEW MEMBERS. Doreen McCarten, Surrey Road. Heather Porter, 111 Ingestre St. AN APPRECIATION. 31 King’s Avenue, Gonville, Wanganui. February 13, 1939. Dear “Carnatio,” —I am writing to tell you how much I enjoyed being in New Plymouth with representatives from the C.G.C. for the National Flower Show. I think our party made

a very fine display and it was greatly admired by those who visited the show. The show itself was a wonderful sight, showing many different sides of plant life, including novelties. One of the novelties which caught my eye was the novel bowl of flowers made from various vegetables, with onions representing waterlilies, carrots and parsnips forming daffodils, peas and beans arranged to loox like daisies, and other vegetables made into shapes representing different flowers; the bowl itself being a pumpkin. Ivan Watkins’ display, which represented “From the Cradle to the Grave,” depicting the stork and cradle, the bride and a marvellous floral carpet leading up to the altar, a swan in hyderangeas on a pond, ana the graveyard with a cross and wreaths, was beautifully carried out.

Mount Egmont, carried out in hydarangeas, with a real bush scei. in front, was another outstanding exhibit.

While I was in New Plymouth 1 was taken to see Parker's Gardens. The begonia house is simply marvellous at present. Begonias of every hue are in bloom and they make a gorgeous display. Pukekura Park also has many beautiful spots to be visited. 1 will close now, thanking you once again for giving me the privilege of being one of the chosen ones to visit that glorious display.—Yours faithfully, "CROCUS.” P.S.—I think special thanks are due to Mr. Shanks, who carried the articles for display through safely. TAIHAPE DISTRICT. A meeting to form a C.G.C. Committee in Taihape will be hJd in the Prebysterian Hall on Saturday, March 4, at 2 p.m. All persons interested in the forming of a C.G.C. branch in Taihape are invited to attend. WESTMERE-BRUNSWICK DISTRICT. Members and friends are reminded of the Garden Party to be held this afternoon at the residence of Mrs. Brownlee. Members are asked to kindly bring along flowers for hospital boxes.

CHRYSANTHEMUM NOTES. (On behalf of the Chrysanthemum Club). February is the most interesting time in lhe culture of chrysan.hemums. The plants require daily attention. The buds that are to produce the flowers must now be selected as they make their appearance. It will be noticed that around the bud several shoots are also growing, and these must be pinched off as tney absorb the strength from the cnosen buds; also cut.off any suckers as they appear above the surface of the soil, and pick off a few of the lower leaves that are decaying. Keep the branches regularly tied to their supports as they advance in growth. After the buds have been selected, start feeding with liquid manure twice weekly lor the first week and three times a week after, but give plants a good watering first. A sugar bag of cow-dung, soaked the night betore in a 5-gallon barrel of water, with a small quantify of old soot, is an ideal mixture. It should be diluted to the colour of weak tea, one-third of the liquid to two-thirds of water, and not less than or-e quart to each plant, is recommended as the required strength and quantity. Caterpillars, notably the leaf rollers, are very prevalent. Arsenic of lead sprayed over the tops of the plants, keeps them in check, but a daily inspection for the purpose of hand picking is the most effective. Green-fly and aphis is also troublesome this year, and have been seen in large numbers already. Black Leaf 40 is an effective spray, but Deridust, which can be puffed over the plants with a dust gun, is recommended by the club, and has proved satisfactory and very easily applitd. Continue spraying with Cosan for rust. If any beds have not been top-dressed this should be done without delay. All buds should be selected by the 201 h of this month; if any are late, 1 see your supervisor or any member ! of the club for instruction.

LETTERLAND. Doreen McCarten. —A hearty welcome to you, Doreen. Seeds, bulbs, etc., will be sent to you in a few days. We hope to arrange demonstrtaions ‘n Springvale this year and hope you will attend. Heather Porter. —A welcome to you also, Heather. The city demonstrations will commence in April, and I hope you will come along. Seeds, bulbs, etc., will be sent to you in a few days. “Crocus.”—Yes, the National Show was outstanding and I am sure everyone of us learnt a great deal, our own display attracted great attention and all who assisted earned the greatest of praise. Margaret Goldsbury.—Yes, you will be allowed to enter any bloom grown by yourself. I am pleased to hear mother is helping you. We do hope to have quite a happy time with the Kai Iwi members this year. SENIOR MEMBERS' SOCIAL AND DANCE. The first of a series of social evenings for 1939 for C.G.C. senior members and friends will be held in McGruer's Hall on March 4. This promises to be one of the "jolliest yet,” and the committee are working very hard to make it an outstanding success. GENERAL MEETING. A general meeting and election of officers for the C.G.C. Senior Committee will be held in the C.G.J. Rooms, McGruer's Buildings, on February 24, at 8 p.m. All senior members and intending members are requested to be present.

SHADOW OF THE SUN DIAL. I HIGHER AND HIGHER CLIMBS THE SUN IN THE SKY. Have you been watching the sun returning, children? Higher and. higher he climbs, and on days when the sky is blue, and harmless little clouds float about you will find that the shadows on the lawn are much shorter than they were a few weeks ago. And that mention of shadows reminds me of something I saw the other day. There was a cool wind blowing, but the sun was warming little sheltered nooks and corners, and I knew that in the gardens there were trees covered with buds! It was in the main school grounds that I found the shadow of which I am thinking. Just a little shadow it is—only a few inches long—but i:s story is one of the oldest we know. Who has guessed? Yes—it was the shadow of the sundial, and it fell across the figure one and the two tiny divisions following. It was ten minutes past one! So many stories there are of the sundial, and so many very old ones still remain in England and Scotland. In Yorkshire there is one, carved in Saxon times, on a stone over the south door at Great Edstone. On it the day is divided into eight hours, and beneath it is carved “Time-teller for wayfarers.” Another, nearby, has counted the sunny hours of over eight hundred years| But there are older stories than these—tales that can be told of the people of Greece who learned of the shadow way of telling time from the Babylonians, over two $ thousands years ago; tales of the very fir?t bowl-shaped sundials to be used; and stories of of the people of Italy, France, Germany, Spain and the East, who have watched the little shadow move across the dial for hundreds ul years. Even now, in Upper Egypt, the

natives divide the day into sections by planting a palm rod in the open ground in the centre of a circle of stones. On this rough clock-face the shadow of the palm moves and the Egyptian tells the lime! In China and Japan sunTals are still used, and by the people of Mohammedan countries, prayers are said at five regular intervals during the twenty-four hours. A Mohammedan always turns to the holy city of Mecca when he p ays and on many of their sundials a line crosses the face, pointing in the direction of Mecca.

It is in Scotland that perhaps the most beautiful sundial may be found. On the lawn at Glamis Castle—Queen Elizabeth’s home—it stands, twentyone feet three inches high. Above the base, four lions stand, each holding a shield on which is a dial face and the names of the months and days are engraved below. These figures, between which are twisted pillars, support a cornice and a canopy and above is a block, cut into eighty oval faces, each a triangular shape. An earl's coronet, set on four carved scrolls, stands on the top!

But whether the sundial is grand and beautifully carved, or plain and simple, it performs the same duty and brings to our minds the same old stories of the years the little shadow has counted the hours. And. since no sundial is complete without its “words of wisdom,” think about these for a moment. And if you love them, remember them.

"Count all hours lost which are not accompanied by some worthy deed. "With the shadow, nothing. Without the shadow, nothing. Let others tell of storms and showers, I tell only sunny hours."