ORCHARD PESTS

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 90, 13 October 1916, Page 2

ORCHARD PESTS

DANGER FROM IMPORTED TREES. The subject of what is known as "root knot" in fruit trees is at present seriously engaging the attention of the Horticultural Division of the Department of Agriculture. In the earlier part of the season a special warning was sent to Australia against importing to New Zealand trees affected in this manner, and later several consignments of trees were condemned. However, fruit-growers', and nurserymen's associations in New Zealand are still very much concerned about the matter, more especially as shipments of trees have been allowed to be "sorted over" in New Zealand—a relaxation of the regulations which is considered to be highly detrimental to the industry. It is understood that New Zealand growers intend to take further steps to prevent a repetition of what they regard as a very illadvised action, especially as they think that the Horticultural Division is strongly opposed^to- "sorting over" in New Zealand. The officers '. of the Department are reticent on the subject, as it is still sub judice, but it is understood that considerable discontent exists among the growers at the action of the .Minister in allowing "sorting over" to take place in this country. Information comes from Hawkes Bay that some growers are I very much exercised as to the threatened invasion of what « known as "fire blight," which affects pear trees, and is said to be even worse than the dreaded fruit fly. It comes, it is reported, from America. The New Zealand regulations prohibit the importation from America, of apple, pear, and quince trees, unless accompanied by a declaration signed by a Government Horticultural | Officer that fire blight does not exist in | the district where the trees were grown, j The growers contend that this is not sufficient protection, especially in view of the fact that the Commonwealth of" Australia has absolutely prohibited fruit" trees being imported ' from any coiinhy in which fire blight is known to exist. That Commonwealth prohibition applies to America and Japan, but in spite of that prohibition a largo consignment of ! trees arrived in Australia from America. j They were allowed to get into 'the hands \ of importers, a considerable number were j planted, and others were distributed through the Commonwealth. It has not been demonstrated that fire blight exists in New Zealand, but growers are becoming anxious. The officers of the Horticultural Division are considering the matter, but are unable at present to cay : ,>vhji!i.actioa ; swlJ be..ta&;ea-