PRICKLY PEAR.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18461, 15 August 1925, Page 14

PRICKLY PEAR.

X DESTRUCTIVE PEST. AUSTRALIAN COMMISSION. (FEOJI OCB. OWN COaKESPOSpBNTO SYDNEY, August 7. One of Australia's great problems is the battle against the rapacious prickly pear, which spreads and grips thousands of fresh acres every year. The evil is particularly bad in parts of New 6outh Wales and Queensland, where millions of acres are now useless because they are "pear lands." Slightly more than twelve months ago the work of cqmbating prickly pear was consolidated by the establishment of the L'rickly Fear Land Commission. This is under the direction of the Queensland Govornment, but is also financially assisted by the Federal and New South Wales Governments. The Commission has just presented its first annual report, in which it says that it is possible not only to hold the pe*r in check, but also to enable large areas of scattered pear land to be saved. Rains Make for Growth. Phenomenal rains during the past year caused exceptional growth of pear, but notwithstanding this, the only lands on which the pear made headway were those already infested or those of an inferior or scrubby nature. Unprecedented sales of poison were made, totalling 590 tons—sufficient to destroy over 3,500,000 tons weight of pear. These poisons are supplied, in addition to other services, at a veiy low cost. But it is in the introduction of pearattacking insects that chief hope for the future lies. The Ibiologists have joined issue with the pear, and in a Commonwealth laboratory they are intently watching what effects different parasitical insects havo on the plant. War "by Insects. Thus modern science is coming to the aid of the modern settler. The cochineal insect has given the best results to date, and during the last twelve months the Commission distri- , buted 4000 cases of "chico" cochineal. I The information now in the hand* of the Commission is that these insects readily attack and destroy all young pear plants, and therefore in localities whore they have become well established the density of the pear is not likely to increase. Thus pear-infested country is likely to be kept sufficiently open lor effective use by cattle. The insects are likely to break down the densitv of the pear in heavily-infested localities, and in course of time retard the prolifio cropping of fruit. This, in itself, will the chocking of the spread of pear. Moreover, by breaking down the densitv of the pear, they may enablo it to be dealt with by j other means. j