IMPORTED FRUIT TREES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 172, 20 July 1916, Page 6

IMPORTED FRUIT TREES.

HEAVY SHIPMENTS CONDEMNED. AUSTRALIAN PATHOLOGIST SENT OVER. During the present planting season very large areas in the south, paTticu-! lurly in the Otago and Nelson districts, have been planted with fruit trees, and for some reason big shipments were imported from Australia for that purpose. Trouble has now arisen owing .to tbe fact that something like 120,000 trees have been condemned tor the present or.

the allegation that they arc affected with root knot. As it ie known that other large loto of tjcee from Australia have successfully passed the inspectors, the fact that such a large number were hung up, gives some idea of the extensive nature of planting thai) ie being done in Nelaun and Otago. This should mean an immense output of fruit in a. few yearn' time for export. With regard to the question of root knot, experts differ as to whether it is or is not detrimental to the productive power of the trees affected. At the present time • Professor Brittlebank, Victorian plant pathologist, ie in Wellington, having been sent over by his Government to watch the interests of the yon dorg of the trees. It is understood that gentleman denies there is any disease at all. Root knot, it may be mentioned, is somewhat similar in appearance to t!ir; hair knote that are seen on the Northern Spy apple tree roota. As this variety is largely used for stocks on account of ite bligbt-reaisting properties. it may he this foae led to the idea that the trees axe suffering from root knot when it is really hair knot. That, however, is a matter for experts to decide, and at the present time there is quite a. gathering in Wellington of representatives of the nurseries as well as departmental inspectors. Professor Brittlebank has been conferring with Mr. T. W. Kirk (director of the orchards division in the Dominion) regarding the question of the trees from

AuEtialia which are at present hung up. The matter is a very important one for the vendors, as if the trees are finally condemned, it will entail very heavy lose upon the eenders, while the at this end will be in an equally unpleasant position, because it may mean the lose of a year in planting. Mr. T_ Horton. o< Hawke's'Bay (president of the Nurserymen's Association of New Zeslmnd), and Mr. G. A. Green (of Auckland, secretary), have gone to Wellington to be on the spot if they are required.