OTHER SERIOUS PESTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20472, 25 January 1930, Page 5 (Supplement)

OTHER SERIOUS PESTS.

THE INSIDIOUS " ROTS." Insect pests, however, are by no means the only destructive agents that fruitgrowers have to combat. Much loss results each season by fruit being attacked by destructive fungoid diseases, such as ripe rot, bitter rot, black spot, and other insidious fungoids. Some of these aro so deceptive in their attacks that even after the fruit is matured it is difficult to notice any defects until the fruit is opened. Leaf and fruit-eating pests have far less terrors for the commercial fruit-grower, as by systematic spraying at the right time when these pests aro active, the trees and fruit can be kept comparatively free. For fungoid diseases judicious winter spraying is the most effective, a3 the materials can be applied at the full winter strength. Weaker solutions of fungicides can, however, be applied during the growing season to trees with advantage. Woolly aphis that attacks so many varieties of apples is more difficult to deal with. Spraying, no' doubt, destroys a number of the pests, but as they are so well protected by their thick woolly covering, it takes greater force than is usually applied in spraying to penetrate sufficiently to destroy them. Dressing over the affected parts with kerosene emulsion, Black Leaf 40, or red oil applied with a fairly stiff brush, so that every portion of-the affected part receives some of the material applied, will keep it under control.