THE PHYLLOXERA PEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8273, 4 June 1890, Page 5

THE PHYLLOXERA PEST.

MR. WIGHT'S REPORT. [BY TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Tuesday. The Minister lias received the report of Mr. Allan Wight, who has sent to Whangarei to report on the outbreak of phylloxera vastatrix among the vines of that district. 1 Mr. Wight found the pest existing in several vineyards, and he furnishes particulars concerning the state of the disease in each. He states that a passenger by an Australian steamer four years ago is said to have smuggled ashore a carpet bag full of vines, and deposited them with a certain nurseryman, whoso vines became infected with phylloxera. Last March ho (Mr. Wight) called in at Mr. Hanlon's, and found the vines literally swarming with phylloxera vastatrix. The insects gradually spread, and now vines in various parts of the district are infected, but from the isolated position, of the majority of them, he thinks the progress of the disease will be slow, and that ample time will be afforded for the grafting- of the vines on blight-proof roots, which is the best, and indeed the only safe and permanent cure. In the Whangarei district there is a great abundance of Isabella vines, which are generally supposed to be phylloxera proof, and if it is proved that they are, there will be no difficulty, he thinks, in placing the vines beyond danger this season. Mr. Wight explains that while he was in Whangarei he gave the settlers instructions how to act in the direction of eradicating the pest, and he hopes to bo able to report when summer arrives that the phylloxera has entirely disappeared. Mr. Wight attributes the outbreak of phylloxera in Whangarei to the fact that some of the vine cuttings in the carpet-bag referred to found their way to Whangarei. They were said to be vines of a liner quality than were common. Mr. Hanlon was awarded a prize for several vines at the Whangarei show. There are a great many Isabella vines in the district, but Mr. Wight still doubts whether they are thoroughly phylloxera proof, but he made arrangements with Mr. Weaver to plant a number of Isabella vines, and to give cuttings free of charge. He found one settler unwilling to destroy his vines, upon which he observes it seems very hard that because a man will not destroy his fine but worthless vinos over which his neighbours have no power, a whole district of careful and industrious men should be subjected to a special taxation, and all the disadvantages of the district being proclaimed as an infected district. Ho humbly but earnestly advises that no steps shall be taken until he shall have received answers to his inquiries from the United States Department of Entomology, and until another visit shall have been made to the district during the summer months. With tho phylloxera Mr. Allan Wight found the following pests on the fruit trees and vines in the district: —(l) Icerya purchasii, a most dangerous insect found lurking amidst the orange groves, but as yet kept under; (*2) Secanitim Olea (black scale), vetv prevalent and doing a great deal of harm ; (3) Asphidiotus coccineus (red scale), very abundant; (4) American apple blight very injurious; (5) Codlin moth doing a great deal of mischief; (0) Mealy bug increasing and very troublesome; (7) Pear sawtly (Colaspis Crimea) very destructive; (8) Borer bottles becoming a serious pest ; (9) Oidium tuckerii becoming serious in every place; (10) White mildew, on the increase; (11) Black smut very prevalent; (12) Peach blight and foot-rot continuing. He distributed the following chemicals : — Sulphate of iron, sulphur, muriate of ammonia, soda, phosphate of soda. He next reports Thompson, clean ; Barlow's vines badly infested, very dangerous ; Harden's also badly infested ; Hoey's clean, but circumstances make it desirable that there should bo farther investigation ; Horn's doubtful, further investigation desirable ; Boult's uncertain ; all tlie others clcan. Mr. Allan Wight concludes by stating that in Auckland there is no doubt vinegrowers are concealing their real situation. Grapes have been exposed for sale there swarming with phylloxera.