PESTS IN THE ORCHARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17649, 9 December 1920, Page 8

PESTS IN THE ORCHARD.

METHODS OF COMBATING.

STUDY OF* ENTOMOLOGY. NEED FOR ORGANISATION. An interesting statement regarding the requirements of the Dominion in regard to the prevention and eradication of pests attacking plant life was made yesterday by Dr. R. J. Tillyard. biologist to the Cawthron Institute, Nelson, who represented the New Zealand Government at the Imperial Conference of Entomologists, held in London recently, and who returned to the Dominion by the Niagara. Referring to the fact that the conference had recommended the establishment of an Imperial Bureau of Entomology as the centre of entomological investigation for the Empire, he said ha was convinced that if the recommendation were carried out something important entomologically would bo done. It was becoming more and more apparent that the whole Empire must be organised to withstand the increasing ravages of insect pests, otherwise many of our primary industries were doomed to destruction.

Speaking specially with reference to New Zealand, Dr. Tillyard said that for every single insect pest we had at present, it seemed reasonably certain that ten other pests quite as virulent as any we had would come into the country unless we organised to prevent them. New Zealand had a good system of quarantine, but it was not perfect, and this emphasised the necessity for rigidly etching over our fruit and crop industries if they were to be safeguarded from the ravages of their natural enemies.

Dangers from Other Countries. He had inquired into the methods of quarantine against fruit and plant infection in the United States and Honolulu. He had also investigated the method of dealing with woolly aphis in these countries, and had collected some very valuable information for inclusion in his report to the Government. The woolly aphis was the worst disease the Nelson fruitgrowers had to contend with. There were two species which affected apple trees in Britain and America, and these did far more damage than the woolly aphis did in this country. Hence it was reasonable to suppose that if once these species got a* hold in New Zealand they would practically destroy our apple industry. Then again, many kinds of fruit grown in Britain and America were affected by a species of "bud weevil." If this disease got a footing in New" Zealand it would do incalculable damage. In America the green Japanese beetle, introduced into New Jersey a few years ago as the result of a loophole in the quarantine regulations, had caused -widespread damage, and now threatened to ruin the whole State. This beetle attacked almost every kind of plant life, even grass. Up to the present, no means of checking it had been found, but he had suggested the importation of the Australian moth— lacewing—-as the beetle was just the food for this moth. ':, Practical Value of the Science. Dr. Tillyard said the conclusion he had come to after his trip round the world was that the study of entomology -and mycology in New Zealand would have to be increased to a considerable degree, and' a complete system of organisation in these two directions should be regarded by the people of the Dominion a3 a necessary insurance against the tremendous risks of the future as well as a cure for the ills we had with us. New Zealand was in' a much better position- than Australia, where the primary industries were threatened with partial or total destruction. The most striking example of the "value of entomology was shown in the results gained by the sugar planters' experimental station at Honolulu. It was impossible to spray the. sugar crop, yet by the introduction of a few useful parasites the staff of entomologists had succeeded in preserving the entire sugar crop in good condition, saving to the growers each year more than the total capital outlay on the station for the last 25 years. " Our farmers must pull together," said Dr. Tillyard, " and even if it becomes a question of a small levy, on each case of apples grown or every fleece of wool shorn for the. upkeep of an experimental station and the employment of a, competent staff, it will be found that the saving that will be ; ada as the result of the- investigations of these men will more than repay the farmers for their outlay." : •;

Chair of Entomology Required. The Egyptian representative at the Imperial Conference, had stated that four qualified and well-trained entomologists were required to reinforce the present-; staff, in order to combat the ravages of the fruit " bbllworm," which attacks tb« cotton crop and at present threatened the whole crop with destruction. Great difficulty was being experienced in getting qualified men, and they would have to be trained. So far as New Zealand's requirements were concerned it would be necessary to train men as entomologists, and this should preferably be done in the Dominion. He would not, however, he said, get young men to take up this science unless the Government or the farmers made it clear that positions would be found for them when they had qualified. The Cawthron Institute purposed conducting a post-graduate course in entomology, but there should be a chair of entomology at one or more of the New Zealand University Colleges. "You must regard the entomologist in future, not as a madman carrying round a butterfly net," said Dr. Tilly in conclusion, .""but as being of equal importance for the national safety as a doctor or a dentist."