RAVAGES OF TKRIPS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 7, 8 July 1938, Page 11

RAVAGES OF TKRIPS

The ravages of the thrips insect w,ere discussed by the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture at a recent meeting - when a letter - was received; from" Mrs; Charles Haines (Welliiigton) urging .that steps should betaken to discontinue the growing of the common laurustihus, substituting for it the giant variety of the same plant (Viburnum ■- tirius '. lucidum). - Aftier a good deal of discussion, the following resolution was moved •by Mrs. Knox Gilmer and carried unanimously: "In' view' of the ravages o*f thrips insects,' which; have been specially severe in gardens duringthe - past season, as indicated by the numV-. ber of representations made to the institute, this executive resolves that all nurserymen be circularisedi drawing, attention to the fact that the principal source of infection is the commoii laurustinus (Viburnum tinus), thence passing on to- more valuable plants; / and recommending that, in the circumstances, they discontinue- raising -and distributing this species, substituting therefor the giant variety (Viburnum tinus lucidum), which is relatively immune from attack.- - This- recommehda-^ tion is made on the grounds that/ if the common species is not further distributed and is eliminated where already planted^ the control at thrips in respect of the: morei valuable plants would be materially simplified."