PEST CONTROL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 228, 27 September 1938, Page 4

PEST CONTROL.

WORK IN AUCKLAND.

ORCHARDS ESTABLISHED.

PLANT RESEARCH STATION.

0:i the sunny slopes of Mount Albert, where a team of young scientists has been "let loose" under sub tropical conditions, one of the most interesting collections of fruit trees in >.'ew Zealand, and extraordinarily varied assortments of commercially valuable plants are being established for the study of pests and diseases. The area is the ITJ-acre estate on which the new agricultural laboratory for the plant disease division nf the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research is being built. Karly last year, when a start was made to develop this area, it consisted of nothing more than uninteresting grasslands and a piece of semi swamp. But. to the scientifically-minded, it* value was already apparent, for it contained probably more varieties of soil and soil conditions than could be found in one spot anywhere else in the Dominion. Not only this, but it was situated in a warm part of Auckland, and for six months of the year would provide an ideal home for the pests and diseases which the scientists go love to study. Perhaps nowhere in New .Zealand could the enemies of plant life be encouraged to thrive and propagate eo well as here. Young Orchards Planted.

As one looks around the estate to-day there is to the untrained eye only an occasional sign of the ravages which provide so much "food for thought" to the studious mind, but a microscope would probably tell a different tale. Already the struggle for existence has begun, and two dozen scientists who will have their rooms up in the laboratory block are preparing to watch its progress with kc-en anticipation.

Head of the team is Dr. G. H. Cunningham, director of the Plant Diseases Division. To-day, as he made an inspection of the estate, there whs pride in the achievements of 18 months, and there was much of interest to see. On a surprisingly small piece of land an orchard which will contain 6000 fruit trees— apples, plums, peaches and apricots —was being planted; not in the ordinary manner, but along fences where the trees could be trained close together and supply the research station wiH a demonstration orchard where some scores of trees could be carefully observed. • A short distance away was a young citrus orchard where orange and lemon trees were throwing out healthy new growth. Here tests will be made later to decide the best spraying programmes for fungus diseases and insect pests. Walnuts and Strawberries. Along the sides of the main entrance drive were planted 100 budded walnut trees, with black walnuts as stocks. Imported from South Australia, they are claimed to be resistant to the bacterial blight which has played such havoc with the growing of walnuts in New Zealand. The young trees are expected to begiiy cropping next season. Further on was seen a contrast in strawberries. A plantation started a year ago contained all the evidence of the strawberry virus actively at work. The most resistant varieties were fruiting well, but alongside were plants which had produced no runners, few flowers, and were a complete failure. The best English and German varieties, imported through tho English research stations, and plants from Australia were among those which appeared to have made a promising start. Before long the plants which are attacked most severely by root rot and the virus will be eliminated. Passion Fruit and Hops. In the passion fruit plantation 100 plants were beginning to send out sturdy young shoots. During the season tests will be made to determine the most satisfactory 'methods 6f fruiting and controlling disease, particularly the grease spot which has given a serious setback to the commercial growing of passions in the North. The warmest corner of the estate has been planted in hops. At a distance one receive* the impression of a bush burn where only the bare poles of the trees remain standing, but on a closer ■ inspection it is found tint 100 beds of hop plants are set out in rows so that ' later on the tendrils can be trained up to wires stretched between the poles. ] Next autumn this area will have the ' appearance of a Kenti&b hop field. The ' .purpose is to decide whether hops can ' be grown commercially in Auckland. '

A peculiarity, which is pointed out to all visitors, is the fact that hop plants are of two sexes. On the windward side, is the row of male plants; in the summer .they will pollenate the balance of tfee plantation.

Club Root and Silver Leaf.

Club root, a disease well known to all farmers and market gardeners, will be studied by planting swedes and rape in soil which has been strongly infected. -At present mustard, which provides the disease with conditions to its liking, is growing there. The vineyard, the nursery beds and the glasshouses reveal other aspects of the research wmk in progress. Two hundred young peach trees are in beautiful pink blossom in front of the new station block, but whether thev will fruit is a matter for speculation." Each tree has a plaster like a poultice affixed to its small trunk, and before lon<r. it I will provide a perfect breeding ground i for silver leaf. The aim, of course, is. I again to »tudy disease control, audi silver leaf happens to be one of the most serious problems of stone fruit I growing ]„ Xv w Zealand.

_ The glasshouses are a most interesting place if one is interested in the wav experiments are parried out. -.umerous pots and muslin covers being used Two house* a ,e at present in use and three more will be built during the summer