FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume XLVIL, Issue 7738, 18 December 1890, Page 6

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the above was held last night in the rooms -of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Mr M. Murphy occupied the chain and apologised for che absence of Mr Wilding, wlio had promised to be present to explain the action taken with regard to the export of fruit to England. Mr Wilson read a very interesting paper, on exporting fruit, and also on tne history Of the Ribston pippin, and a discussion ensued thereon.

The Chairman drew attention to what was being done by the Victorian Government in the matter of coping with fruit and vegetable pests, lie said that it would generally be admitted that if we were co become successful fruit- growers, the time had arrived when some vigorous steps must be taken to cope with the pests which infested our orchards, notably the apple scale blight, the American blight, and the red spider. The latter insecc, if neglected much longer, would soon rival tbe apple scale.' So impressed were they with this fact in Victoria, chat a conference of fruit growers had been held, presided over by ths Aoting Minister of Agriculcure, with a view to the suppression of insect pests. A Bill had been prepared to that end, the provisions of which were very stringent. He was, however, somewhat inclined to agree .with, one of the speakers at the conference referred to, who maintained that what was wanted was education, and not . legislation. The, 'one great point in favor of legislation was that ' careless owners of trees, who neglected to keep their trees clean, could be got at, and thereby prevented from injuring their more thrifty neighbor. However this might be, it was certain that a great deal of ignorance prevailed as to the nature, and even the appearance, of the several pests and as to tbe best means of coping with them. . He would suggest that the Fruit Growers* Associations throughout the colony should, set themselves about devising means for effectually eradicating the peats referred to. The Northern Societies were dealing with the codlin moth and the cushion scale by methods which while they prove effectual, would be so inexpensive as to be within the reach of all. It was well known that che apple scale could be tolerably well eradicated by brushing or rubbing on any kind of dressing used for such purposes. This method, however, was out of the question where large numbers of trees bad to be dealt with. He had commenced a set of experimehtsintheheginningof last August, using the majority of the specifics now offered to fruit growers, as certain, remedies against attacks of all kinds of insects, but which had not in every case proved successful. One point he had satisfied himself upon, and that was that* the scale can be kept under, if not entirely eradicated, if treated in the proper way and at proper times.Persons who had been induced to dress their trees while in bloom, with even 1 in 100 of Little's dip, had in many cases suffered loss. Later on, when the fruit was well set, they might be dressed with impunity, with even a stronger application. He bad seen 1 in 30 used that month with very little ill effect. Those who had watched the progress of the scale since October;last would: have observed how irregularly the insect had hatched out, thereby rendering more than one or two dressings necessary. He did not deem it expedient to publish the result of his own observations since August last, or to publish the same in detail, but he proposed to move the following resolution at the next meeting of Committee:—" That this Association do undertake a series of experiments, extending over twelve months, with a view to discovering cheap and effectual remedies for the prevention or destruction of such pests as the apple scale, American blight, red spider, &c; that the use of a badly-infected orchard be secured, and that a Sa.b-edmmittee be appointed to conduct the experiments; that regular records be kept thereof, that drawing!s of the pests be made showing the different phases of their existence, and that a detailed report be printed in pamphlet for—tv for circulation amongst fruitgrowers and others." On the motion of Mr Wixsos, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the Chairman for his interesting remarks, and the meeting terminated.

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