GARDEN AND ORCHARD.

Wairarapa Age, 4 August 1921, Page 3

GARDEN AND ORCHARD.

(Specially written for “The Age.”) Were the residents of this town fully cognisant of the many direct benefits they enjoy from having a Horticultural Society, they would recognise the fact that it was a duty to attend the annual meeting of the Mastertori Society, which is to be held to-night in Perry's Buddings; and to give this society their whole-hearted support. The efforts of a Horticultural Society are often not fully appreciated. An enjoyable time during show periods is not the object of a society, but rather to ioster and encourage the love of gardening generally, lie it flowers, vegetables, fruit, trees, or shrubs, by exhibiting the best specimens of these raised in their district. It is these societies which create the competition in varieties, and it is this competition that is responsible for all our improved and beautiful flowers, our best varieties of vegetables and our best favoured fruits Influence of the Show. It is the Horticultural Show that is directly responsible for more than half of the beautiful gardens in any town A visitor is impressed with the many beautiful and useful things exhibited at a show, and the sight of them creates a desire to possess something similar. This is the embryo of a garden. Active members of a society always have a beautiful garden 01 their ou n and it is their practical efforts in horticulture which make beautiful streets. The pleasure derived from a walk down a street lined with beautiful gardens is indescribable. Everyone appreciates it, though perhaps unconscious of the full extent of their appreciation.

mb no _ue of the Garden. A isitors tn a town are immediately impressed with such sights and leave with a good impression and pleasant memories of what a beautiful place (?) Masterton is, for instance. Residents will take a certain street in preference to others on their way tc t«wn or business because in that street there is some garden that possesses something of speeial beauty. I he moral side of all this must not be overlooked and residents should show their appreciation in a practical manner. Growing hoys and girls instructed and encouraged in horticultural pursuits, are given an interest in the I beautiful and the healthy. This has a decided influence on them morally I and physically, and it is only through the efforts of a horticultural society I that the public will eventually realise the value of this and the value ot garden spaces to the community in I general. ' i A horticultural society generates a love for a beautiful home, and ;i beau- 1 tiful home is always more happy than ! the neglected unimproved section and I its dwelling. Leasehold tenure is usually the excuse of these untidy homes (the landlord gets the benefit of anything I may do) —but one wants to go further back than this. Generate active interest in horticulture and a desire to possess a garden of one’s own is the immediate result. This creates a demand for a freehold section. which can be permanently improved and beautified so that all time and money spent in such improvements is adding value to one’s own property. Gardening and Health. From a health point alone such a society should receive unanimous and

financial support from any community. Gardening is the healthiest and best of all exercises and even persons in indifferent liealth can take an active interest though barred from the more strenuous out-door sports. \V'e have many institutions for the sick and others and these receive the generous support they deserve. Yet the reason for these many institutions 1. what? Unhealthy conditions both physically and morally. .Remove these and the effect on the number of inmates is obvious. Mere is another phase of horticultural activity that demands instant and serious consideration by the public. Continuing on this health side of the question good and pure food is most important, and the horticultural society helps again in this; for what is better than having one’s own fresh vegetables and fruit, a plentiful supply o; which is so necessary an item of the daily menu. Further, in these times o. slump and high costs what a difference it makes in the weekly bills to have a supply of good vegetaliles and fruit all the yenr round. The horticultural society will help you to attain this.

To condense it all, the efforts and aims of a horticultural society are to improve public health and morals, to lielp everyone to possess a beautiful home of their ov.n, to lessen the cost to the State of the upkeep and the many expensive institutions for the sick, to create more beautiful and useful varieties' in horticulture, the making of more beautiful towns and the attraction of population. Such a society, Jjy practical instruction and advice, will lessen your weekly tradesmen’s bills and also your doctor’s.

'I he member receives these many benefits for a small annual subscription, and at the same time is assisting in a. cause that is essential to the Dublic izood.