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Clinton News-Record, 1979-04-26, Page 48• Horticulture interest grows By Russ Gomme, OMAF Interest in horticulture is still growing, and so is membership in the Horticultural Societies of Ontario. Now, there are more than 55,000 horticultural society members in 252 horticultural societies located throughout Ontario. There is no minimum or maximum age to belong - just the desire to enjoy horticulture, and share the secrets and experience of growing plants. Members represent all livelihoods. Perhaps the senior citizen in the next apartment is a member. This contagious ac- tivity fulfills the lives of people in all walks of life. Many school students par- ticipate ir, Youth Garden Clubs, sponsored by horticultural societies. Several community gardens, created through the joint efforts of municipalities and horticultural societies, become challenges for members, especially young people. Vegetables and flowers are grown to perfection in plots allocated to each member. When show time rolls around, their harvest of prize plants become entries to challenge neighbors and friends. Several horticultural societies organize flower and vegetable shows held in conjunction with fall fairs,. The activities and programs of horticultural societies are varied. Many societies, like those in Clinton and Goderich, develop new public gardens and parks in their communities. Some organize short courses for local residents. Most societies meet monthly to discuss specific horticultural subjects. Beautification competitions, organized by the societies, en- courage merchants to spruce up their premises, and neighborhood residents to plant trees. Annual clean-up and planting campaigns are equally beneficial. The lives of people in many communities have changed dramatically because of their interest in horticulture. The attractive appearance of several Ontario communities can be traced to the dedication of hor- ticulturally -minded people who realized the need to create pleasant surroundings. Horticultural societies spend hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to encourage interest in horticulture. For many years, the provincial government, through the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food,, has provided incentive grants to help horticultural societies maintain local hor- ticultural interest. Every municipality is per- mitted to have a local hor- ticultural society. The local library, municipal office, or Chamber of Commerce in your community, will know when and where your horticultural society meets. If there isn't a local society, write to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, A uicultural and Horticultural Sdcieties Branch, Ontario Legislative Buildings, Toronto. Ask for instructions and requirements to form your horticultural society. No losers in gardening Lack of information? Lack of garden space? Indifference? No, fear of failure, more than any other reason keeps non -gardeners from planting their first garden seed or seedling, says the National Garden Bureau. Gardening is perhaps the most socially acceptable hobby in North America, enjoyed by rich and poor alike. Yet some people will go through life having never suc• ceeded in raising a plant from a seed or keeping a houseplant happy. Non -gardeners need encourage- ment and praise from their friends and relatives, never criticism of their first attempts, however bumbling. There is no such thing as a "born loser" in gardening. 9 Page 19 Sunflowers are useful Like porkers, from which everything is used but the squeal, sunflowers are efficient, adap- table and infinitely useful to gardeners. The huge, golden sunlight-. seeking blossoms are beautiful, more than compensating for sunflower's tall, coarse leaves, often used for screening. Seeds form quickly, their weight making sunflower heads nod. After the seed heads are har- vested the sturdy, fibrous stalks can be dried and saved for use as rustic tripods to support vining vegetables or flowers. If you want . tq. plant giant sunflowers, be sure to select a variety bearing the name "Giant" or "Mammoth". Plant breeders have developed all sorts of shorter, smaller flowered sunflowers in their quest for more decorative garden plants. These newer varieties are beautiful but they don't have giant flowers. • GET GROWING... PUT OUR 65 YEARSOF EXPERIENCE TO WORK FOR YOU: _ ,....:!,..•._m_,,,� • 7,111 SONO FROM START TO FINISH... GIVE IT YOUR BEST WITH OUR BEST...AT M.J. SMITH! ANDERSON'S FERTILIZER QUALITY FERTILIZER AVAILABLE IN BOTH BAGS AND BULK We carry a complete selection of fertilizers for all purposes. And remember...you can buy with confidence at M.J. Smith...WE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD! • CUSTOM SPREADING AVAILABLE AT M.J. SMITH WE CAN HELP YOU GROW THE BEST FOR LESS! 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