RUST IN LINEN FLAX CROPS
During the last three weeks rust had attacked crops of linen flax in the Ashburton county, said the manager of the linen flax factory at Methven (Mr A. F. Denniston) recently. The rust infection was always present in a degree, but this season it had been more pronounced than usual. While it had not been necessary to reject any crops yet for this reason, the rust would probably have the effect of lowering the grade of the fibre. Infection had spread over the whole district. Mr Denniston said, and was equally bad in South Canterbury. The rapid spread of the rust might have been the result of special atmospheric conditions, such as mist followed by high winds which carried the disease. The rust would prabably mean the pulling of some of the crops earlier than normal.
The rain which fell on Friday would stimulate the late sown crops and also wash off the rust spores. More than 900 acres of flax are growing in the county this season compared with 760 acres last season. Eight or nihe crops have been pulled to date. The returns from this season’s crop are expected to be the same as last season. The fibre content of the flax seemed reasonable, but with rust there was a likelihood Of some deterioration in grade. Mr Denniston added.
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Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25389, 12 January 1948, Page 3
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226RUST IN LINEN FLAX CROPS Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25389, 12 January 1948, Page 3
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