KEEN'S SCALE BLIGHT EXTERMINATOR.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7382, 7 August 1889, Page 6

KEEN'S SCALE BLIGHT EXTERMINATOR.

Yesterday afternoon a trial of the scale blight exterminator,invented andpatented by Messrs J. Keen and Co., Ashburton, was held ■at the Styx Apple Company's orchard. Mr J. Haseltyne, the principal agent, took out a party of gentlemen who are more or less interested in the growing of fruit, and there was a large attendance of fruitgrowers from the surrounding districts. Mr J. Keen applied the exterminator with an ordinary garden syringe. For a large number of trees that process would be too slow and wasteful. The spray process would be more effective, quicker, and economical. A packet containing 10s 6d worth of the exterminator, added to lOgals of water is said to be necessary for twenty-five trees, but it would, no doubt, go further if a sprayer were used. The result of the application yesterday was at once apparent in oue direction, namely, that the scale was loosened, and could be quite easily rubbed off while the bark was wet, but not so readily after it I had dried. Water applied with the syringe, however, washed a considerable amount oil, and it is claimed that a shower or two of rain will remove the whole. Tbe eggs under the scale were critically examined with the aid of a magnifying glass, but opinions differed as to the effect the exterminator had upon them. The time was, however, too short for a decided opinion being safely expressed. As in the case of Redwood's blight specific, it needs.a little time before the true effects can be seen. Some of the fruitgrowers present were, however, quite satisfied with the exterminator, and one or two who had tried it said it was a decided success. It may be mentioned that the trees treated a fortnight ago with Redwood's blight specific were examined, but the eggs beneath the scale presented no difference in appearance, and it remains to be seen whether they will hatch out or not. During the afternoon Mr M. Murphy, of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, exhibited a specimen of the true codlin moth (Catpocapsa pomonella), and of the Padesca obliquana. The latter was taken from an apple grown at Rangiora, and is sometimes taken for the codlin moth. It bores into the apple and eats the bark of the trees, and also glues the leaves together. The codlin moth is much darker in color, with brown tips to the wings. Mr S. Nashelski is the local agent for the exterminator.