THE COUNTRY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 182, 31 July 1908, Page 7

THE COUNTRY.

1 SAW JOSE SCALE. ( / i C3y Telegraph.—Own correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Of interest to fruitgrowers throughout , the Dominion is an account given by Mr j j. C. Blackmore, Government pomolo-1 gist in the Soutli island, regarding the ]' detection of the existence of the San j' Jose scale and the prompt measures taken to cope with it. The particulars of "the discovery of the scale in New Zealand are, briefly, that last Easter, whilst Mr Blackmore was looking over some apples that had been sent to this city from Nelson, he happened upon an apple the skin of which bore the distinctive marks of the pest in the shape of purplish crimson blotches. Though no scale was discernible on the apple, Mr Blackmore, who had previously made himself well informed regarding the scale and its manner of manifesting itself, was convinced that it existed in New Zealand. He at once posted off to Nelson, bis enquiries taking him ! first to Motueka, where he was informed j by one or two orchardists on whose trees he found the scale that it had come probably from Auckland, a* the orchardists ! .had imported some apple trees from that I district. Further investigations, however, | completely disposed of this suggestion, for Mr Blackmore was able to trace the scale to the identical plants on which | it had been brought to the Dominion.; About nine years ago a certain nurseryman in Nelson imported some Japanese pears from Japan. Some of the trees " were found on the nurseryman's premises in the town, and were found to be covered with the scale. An inspection of the whole of the Nelson district was at once instituted, and, in order to protect the interests of fruitgrowers, the Department of Agriculture in some instances had the spraying done. In order to insure efficiency in other cases the spraying was done under the supervision of the Department's officers. These prompt measures had resulted in confining the operations of the pest to the Nelson district. As a means of coping with the pest, should it make its appearance elsewhere, Mr Blackmore recommends spraying with bottled lime, salt and sulphur wash, which should be applied in the spring before the buds open. In the case of badlyinfested orchards the trees should be sprayed, both in the late autumn and spring. The steps tiken by the Department and Mr Blackmore in the matter of- the San Jose scale are another testimony to the great value of the biological, and horticultural section of tho Department of Agriculture. MR. GELRUTH'S RETIREMENT. Mr. J. A. Gilruth, Chief Veterinarian to the New Zealand Government, who has been appointed Professor of Veterinary Pathology to the University of Melbourne and Director of the Stock Diseases Research Institute of Victoria attained distinction in his profession at a comparatively early age. Having in view his good record of original research work, aud his many successful campaigns in lighting animal disease, it is hard to. realise that it was. asTate" iis" ISO-2 that" lie" graduated "at Glasgow and. the Royal Veterinary College, London. The student foreshadowed (the man. At Glasgow he took first honours in professional examinations, first honours in Final Theory, gold medal and ;i-20 bursary for highest aggregate marks, first and second professional examinations, medallist in live subjects, and first honour certificates in remaining "subjects. At London he gained a medal for the best examination on all subjects, and was the essay prizeman for the final year. With such a brilliant career at college, he had little difficulty in securing an appointment with the New Zealand Government in 1593 from a large number of applicants. Within three years of his appointment he was promoted to the position of Chief Veterinarian, and immediately afterwards visited Europe, at the instance of the New Zealand Government, principally with the object of studying Continental and British laboratories a.ntl abattoirs. During his absence Mr. Gilruth was an attache at the Pasteur Institute for six months, making himself acquainted with the •latest advances in bacteriological science. In the same year he visited Australia as delegate to "the Tick Conference, and imadc at the same time an investigational tour throughout Queensland. Again, in iIOOO, he was appointed special commissioner to Australia for the investigation of bubonic plague. His ability as a bacteriologist and a pathologist was early recognised by the "New Zealand Government. In 1807 he m-as appointed to undertake work for medical men, and iv 1000 he was appointed (with Dr. Mason. Chief Health Officer) jChief Health Commissioner on the Royal Commission of Public Health. Mr. Gilruth paid a second visit tc Europe in 1001, and returned by way of America. His objects of investigation were the meat trad.c, late work at the •Pasteur Institute. European, and Ameri can veterinary colleges, laboratories, ami meat works. He also selected 15 veterinary officers for the Government, and purchased stud cattle and horses for the experiment stations. The next five years were remarkable for considerable research work, and during the time Mr. Gilruth was provided with an up-to-date laboratory (of his - own designing) at Wallaceville. In 1006 he was selected by the Transvaal Government for the offer of ap- : pointment. through the Imperial Government, ac Chief Veterinary Officer, in succession to Stewart Stockman (appointed Chief Veterinary Officer, British Board of lAgriculture). Last year Mr. Gilruth paid his third visit to Europe, and included Africa in •his itinerary. He took a short course in •parasitology at Cairo, studied his favourate science at the Pasteur Institute, and •visited Continental and British laboratories and colleges. Mr. Gilruth enjoys several distinctions. Ec is an honorary member of the British Medical Association, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and a member of the Society of Exotic Pathology, iPrance. THE BEST MILKING BREED. Until much more conclusive evidence than has so far been produced can be placed before fanners there will continue to exist great difference of opinion among even the best judges as to which is the most profitable breed of cow to milk. Some say the Shorthorn is, others the Jersey, the Ayrshire finds favour with many, and there are those who believe in "the Hereford, and so on, almost «very pure teeed, and some of the crosses, being fantied aooaidiijg bo individual tastes, car-

eumstances or experiences of the various farmers. A farmer from an important dairying district, interviewed by a "Star" representative this morning upon his arrival from the South, claims to have benefited greatly by having turned to account his powers of observation. A few years ago he was strongly prejudiced against Jerseys as dairying cattle. He, however, happened to have a few Jerseys in, his herd, and when he commenced a system of keeping daily records of the quality and quantity of the milk yield of. tho individuals of his herd, he began to see that his antipathy towards the breed ■was not altogether well .founded. After taking and studying the records for a season, he felt satisfied that Jerseys were the best cattle he could keep from a money-making standpoint. As to grazing them, he says that he finds that he can just obout keep three Jerseys where only two Shorthorns would find sufficient subsistence. He treats them with kindness, and a more docile herd, he says, j could not be found. Jerseys are easily ; trained thus, but if treated in the least i roughly the timidity of their nature is | aggravted to an extent which much re- ! duces their value as milkers. This farm.I er's herd has topped the score at the factory he supplies for some years