FIRE BLIGHT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17902, 6 April 1920, Page 5

FIRE BLIGHT

-—<e» COMMERCIAL ORCHARDS INFECTED. (Feom Ocb Own CoßHESFosmurr.; AUCKLAND, April 5. Tho reported infection of orchards in tho Auckland district by the fir© blight disease has led to ait inspection being made by officers of tho Horticultural Division of the Department of Agriculture- of many orchards in districts adjacent to Auckland to locate any evidence of disease on. pip ■ fruit. In several instances suspicious indications were discovered and specimens were forwarded to tho biologjcal laboratory at Wellington for identification. Reports received at the Auckland office of the department state that some of the specimens have boon identified es fire blight. This is the first indication that_ the pest has invaded the commercial fruit-growing area of tho Auckland district, and the matter is regarded seriously by officials of tho departIntent. American authorities state that fire blight is mainly a, spring infection, but in the Auckland district warm autumn rains sometimes give spring_ conditions, and it is essential that_ precautions should bo taken against tho disease even at this season. It is emphasised by officers of tho department that where the disease exists its presence is evidenced by either dead twigs, water roots, laterals, or in some cases loaders in some parts of the tree, and for this reason infection can bo moro easily detected when the leaves arc still adhering to the trees. Tho desirability, therefore, of immediate inspection for infection from the disease is quite evident. In this respect -the services of orcbardists willing to undertake the ' work of inspection will be of great assistance. Tho department i 3 offering to defray out-of-pocket expenses for_ such work. It is stated that • the infection in this district apparently is as yet only slight.