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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1975-05-15, Page 26• •.4P •• • in " "4' ' • I 10 4,1 ,45 • 4,- ' I r. • PAGE 10A,GODERIMIGNAL=STAR, THURSDAY, MAY 15, 1975 • 11 Garden' .Gossip .1 -JEAN BARNETT Making a garden is an act of creation. „It is man working WITH nature instead of AGAINST it". About 75 million years before man made his appearance on earth we are told ferns and trees were fully devetdped. Early records of primitive man depict him asthe hunter, ar- med,with club, bow and arrow, wresting his living out Of the, forests by hunting, fishing and eating wild berries. However, these earliest inhabitants eventually per- ceived the relationship'between seeds and roots in the ground and the green, living thins above the ground. They began cultivating edible . .species, avoiding poisonous ones and they became aware of the magical -rte of planting seeds and seeing them develop into food. As they found this new source of food allowed them more time around their homes' -and less need for hunting they began to develop other talents, such as arts, crafts and eventually flower gardens for pleasure. From an anthropological viewpoint agriculture was the basic step in the evolution of mankind from Cave Man to the modern 20th • century civilization. When Capt. James Cook . landed 'in New Zealand in 1769 he found the beautiful dianthus *Le planted around the huts of Stone Age Maoris*, simply for beauty and the miracle of its seasonal death and rebirth (symbolizing, deAth and resurrection of man). .4 Our first adequate records of civilization after man's discovery of. agricultural, benefits'adtes back more than 3000 years B.C. to the Kingdom of Sumer in the fertile delta of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in Mesopotamia. In some of the remaining cuneiform writings we know that they devised effective irrigation systems that fed crops of barley, ..orkions, and other vegetables as well as .large• date orchards. Their temples were, surrounded by acres of , groves of medicinal .and food plants that were ad- . ministered by the priests. • Sumerians loved_ flowers and used them extensively in decorations, ceremoniesand ritual headdress. The Assyrians and Egyptians learned to extract oils and 101)E rose campaign oversubscribed; perfumes froth plants to production of more than 40C protect the skin . against heat plants. l'he earliest Romns and insects. They used oils became farmers because'of a from almond, castor, lettuce, dire. need for food supplies for, olives, radish, safflower and their large population, , • sesame plants. Natural per- Indeed the miracle of -fumes were distilled from agriculture is very ancient blit bitter almond, aniseed, cedar, nonetheless vital to our sur - cinnamon, citron, gingert vival today. Our Minister of heliotroPe, . mimosa, pep- Agriculture tells us that the permint, rose, rosemary and 4 world food supply has dropped sandalwood. Assyrians and drastically in the last few Babylonians were farmers years, due to the increased cine of the greateSt gardens population, and. subsequent of time was that of take-over of arable land. We NebuchNdnezzar, of whom it is are living in a very rich said created a Hanging,Garden agricultural area of the world. about 550 B.C. in Babylon to Our Minister tells us that one - comfort his wife from Medes half of Canada's Class 1 and who mourned for her native one-sixth —of Class II mountains. This garden was.an agricultural land is situated in elaborately tiered constructibn, Ontario., Indeed we, have a covering many acres. Each great heritage and we t.l?ust terrace was supported by huge columns filled with earth in which a tree was planted on the topmost terrace. It was com- pletely garlanded with flowers and it entire • construction resembled the tower of Babel, representing the link between Heaven and Earth. „ Egyptian Gardens of 1400 B.C. indicate geometrical. formal' gardens, designed in conjunction with their ceremonious social and religious life. Grapes draped the arbours, fruit trees and • masses of iris, cornflower and poppies, grew in mass, array, Roses; 'sacred to the Goddess Isis were grown in special conclaves. Egypt became the ancient • world's chief supplier of roses. 'Pot Gardening was possibly first practiced in Athens around 700 B.C. Because of the dense -population •and the subsequent diminishing growing areas, roof gardens • flourished with Gardens • of Adonis, symbolizing the god's - death, and resurrection. Where space permitted, in any small corner of that great metropolis beds were planted with lilies, roses, violets, hyacinths, etc. In ,Horner's description of the Garden of Alcinous he described the kinds of orchards cultivated at, that time which included, pears, pomegranates, -apples, sweet figs, olives and grapes. . • The first botanicalknowledge accumulated -over the previous centuries was eventually • recorded by the Greek botanist, Theophrastus, In his book, History of Plants and Causes of Plants he discussed the realize our responsibility in preserving it. Do join your local Garden Club at St. Mary's School next . Wednesday night when members will bring some of their -prize roots, slips, corms, etc to auction for your benefit and theirs. Here is your chance to obtain that rare species you've wanted! ! !! Taylor's Corners •Sardening Club The Taylor's Corners first meeting of the Gardening Club was helJ on Saturday, May 10. Leaders for this club are Mrs. Martha ,deBoer .and Mrs. Margaret Bildebrand, assistant leader. The election officers was held: with the • following results: President, Marjorie "deBoer; vice president, Karen Rodges; secretary, Bonnie Westbrook; treasurer, Vicky Oke; press reporter, Lynne Hildebrand. Othermembersof the club are some orders will be filled in '76 •t Mrs. JW. Mills"was hostess for the May meeting of the Maple Leaf Chapter IODE at Which the regent, Mrs. Ronald McGee presided. Correspondence was read from the Retarded Children's Association regarding Bellwood Camp, from CAN- TOU soliciting funds, and from Bell Canada'announcing a day- long workshop on May 12 at the Bedford Hotel; a ,Red Cross Blood Minors is scheduled, for May 21; and , the Hospital Auxiliary Penny Fair for May 28. • The Provincial news letter referred to a Study Seminar at Geneva Park, Lake Couchiching Qct. 3-5. A new history of 75 years of ;IODE is available. The Rose Campaign has been over subscribed and some orders will be filled in the Spring of '76.' Acting -treasurer Mrs. Wm. Hassan, 4, • assistant -treasurer Mrs. Barry Eastwood, and shop treasurer Mrs. P. Strickland gave financial reports: Mrs. H. Bettger, Services convener, stated that at present the chapter has no adopted school since all those formerly available are under govern- 4ment supervision, Several offers to sew and knit layettes .came at the request Of Mrs. R. Breckenridge and Mrs. Strickland. As convener of Ways & Means, the latter member was empowered ,- to - organize a Theatre night sometime after October .15. • Mrs. H. Murphy stated that three members will take their affirmation at the June meeting at the home of Mrs. C. Collins, Essex St. This gathering will take the form of a pot luck cold buffet. Mrs. G.L. Royal and Mrs. J. Jan Ginn, Debbie and Janet Rodges. Hildebrand. talked about the incher s Mrs. deBoer and Mrs. • . • GODERICH., ideas for books, files and gardens. , about what kind of soil is best 0 ed ° ' Mrs. deBoeralso, talked and she and Mrs. Hildebrand ' showed pictures of , several Next meeting will be Contest types of annual plants. Saturday; May 17 at Jan Ginn's , - ii. home. .. . • general information for the club and discussed several McIntyre gave interesting and comprehensive reports of the recent annual meeting of, Provincial' chapter. Highlights of Mrs. RoYali remarks spoke" of Whipper Billy Watson's emotional address on behalf of handicapped people, of Mrs. Keegan's speech entitled `,`The Crown and Canada," and of a musical recital.provided by the Lucy Morrison Scholarship winners. Mrs. 'McIntyre informed the chapter that the Genetic Counselling Mobile Clinic (funded by the Rose campaign) would begin in Sudbury in September. A greenhouse has been completed for the Eskimo community of Attawapaskat .• where there are only 59 growth days per year. Both delegates " spoke en- thusiastically 'of. the closing dinner, served to 550 ladies, at which the Honourable Pauline McGibbon, a past national president of IODE and present Lieutenant -Governor of Ontario was the guest speakr. A report was heard frQm Mrs. McCallum re the citizenshipsreception in April. The final tally of Goderich Red Cross Campaign was $2622.00. Lacking a suitable applicant, the chapter tvill not award a nursing bursary this spring. Mrs. Royal asked for a committee to plan the chapter's 75th anniversary. M-rsJ.H. Stringer -introduced, . Mrs,. Pat Wheeler, volunteer' co-ordinator" at the Goderich' Psychiatric Hospital who spoke of_ the hospital's needs in her department. Volunteers' are usable in almost all eight wards; all age groups are needed, especially men and particularly at week ends. Mrs. Wheeler . spoke of specialized . therapy provided Mental Health Association. 1 - by workshops in ceramics, .Mrs. Wm. Garrow expressed leather craft, woodworking as the chapter's . pleasure at f well as the therapeutic benefits having heard Mrs. Wheeler's I She'll remember 1 of dancing, singing, gardening informative remarks. a wedding gift 1 • • and games. Donation of books, Mrs. C.H. Edward thanked i records and l' clothing, Mrs. Mills for her hospitality to t i i from welcome.. especially childreng, are the chapter. Mrs. P. Main and her committee served refresh - Mrs. Wheeler spoke of hoping g 1 ment sto some 40 members and 1 to see the establishment of a guests. .11110 Flower ,Basket l Squire 524•21 56 +,EAFS uTti eS rTa. GAOr roaEri gRel mC : Fpriaensths Cut Flowers + Wedding Bouquets • 52 He n t s . HIGHWAY 21 S. GODERICHi Open 10 a.m. to'? p.m. Gifts CALL ANYTIME - SUNDAYS 1 7 days a week & HOLIDAYS ,•, . 11. Winners *Atialt.1, 11. Use hot water wisely Save energy.I.Save money , . — Lawn and Garden Tools — Bird Baths — Trellis — Hanging Pots — Lawn •Sprinklers — Hose end Sprayers ,f for lawns .— Garden" Wheelbarrows — Fertilizers — Gladiola and Dahlia Bulbs — Shade and Ornamental' Trees .i,-- Planters. • r . • • Bruce Dougherty FIRST JUNIORS Dean Black FIRST - SENIORS See' our selection of: • • EVERGREENS • FRUIT TREES' • RED & BLACK CURRANT BUSHES RASPBERRY CANES FLOIOERING SHRUBS WEED SPRAYERS & CHEMICAL AVAILABLE INSECTICIDES & PESTICIDE LAWN SPRAYS Apart from home heating, a family usually cop.sumes the most energy in producing hot ,water. Here are just a few small things you can do, that can add up to a considerable energy saving. Turri off hot water taps so they don't drip, fill clothes washers to match the size of the load, wait until you have a full load • before using a dishwasher arid remember showers usually require less hot water than baths. Try not to use more hot water than you rieed. -13 • Gareth Jones SECOND - JUNIORS • The Cascade electric water heater will give you a dependable supply of hot water -but it's uDlo you - to use it wisely. • - your hydro *4441 If ybu need expert advice on your gardening, .t.ee our specialist Mrs, McKee. She is in our store Monday to Friday febm 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. to help you with any problems related to your garden. DeriOnline'S Industrialand Oarden Centre 66 Ham Iton St. Oacteacti 1.1