FIRE-BLIGHT

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 15, 19 January 1927, Page 10

FIRE-BLIGHT

MANAWATU AFFECTED

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.")

PALMEESTON N., This Day.

Kreblight has ; unfortunately reached the Manawatu. It was first reported in Auckland district in December, 1919, and although the disease has been known in North America for 100 years or more^ it was never discovered how it managed to reach New Zealand.

Since 1919 it has spread to several other districts, and early this fruit season was reported to have reached Hawkes Bay. The blight was also known about Wanganui, and ■in view of its close proximity,-Manawatu orchardists have been keeping a close look-out.

The trees affected, which were in or^ chards within the borough, have been destroyed, the only safe method of preventing its spread.

JTireblight is a very serious disease from more than one point of view. Besides attacking fruit trees it also has the hawthorn for its host, and the presence of that tree is a menace to the fruit industry where fire-light is prevalent. "Under the Ereblight Act, fruit 'growers may apply to have any area designated a commercial fruitgrowing district, and when that is done, they have authority to order the destruction of all hawthorn hedges in that area. This, although involving hardship on a few people, is preferable to having the dreaded fireblight in control of valuable orchards.

It is understood Palmerston North orchardists are applying to have aa area around Palmerstou North, declared a commercial district so that they may be able to make use of the powers conferred by the Act.

Kreblight first attacks fruit treees in the flowering staVe, and when it has run its course, leaves the affected trees leafless and with a blackened appearance as if fire had been through tftem. Hence the name.