Insect Pests.

Otago Witness, Issue 1764, 12 September 1885, Page 7

Insect Pests.

From the report of the Horticultural Society 7 of Victoria for the year ending 30th June last, kindly placed at our disposal by Mr John HEvery, we extract the following interesting remarks on the experiments made by the society in endeavouring to overcome the ravages of insect pests during the year : — Pests this season have not been so bad. With the exception of the peach and strawberry blight, we have been more free than during 1883-84. The American or woolly blight upon the apple was not so prevalent. A dressing of potash of about Boz to each of 50 dwarf trees, standing at 4ft by 4ft 6in, -was applied by merely sprinkling over the surface of the ground and slightly forking it in. Though these 50 trees gave considerable trouble last year to keep clean, this year they gave none. After numerous trials — some made seven years ago — potash has been found to be one of the mo6t effectual cures tried at the Gardens. Five or six 1b applied to a large tree during the digging season will effect fine results.

From the agricultural department a small parcel of mineral earth, found at Mudgee, was received. It was applied in the middle of Opto« her to the roots of a tree condemned for' blight by baring the roots and dressing with the specific. The quantity applied — 31b weight — proved an overdose, the tree looking sickly during November and December. It recovered in January, and is at present healthy and clean both at root and top. The earth, according to' Mr Cosmo Newbery, consists of decomposed earthy pyrites, containing sulphate of ironi alumina, and "hloride of sodium. No directions as to quantity to be applied were received, but as there is sufficient left to make further trials this season in varied quantities, the results of each will be recorded.

The codlin moth not being so troublesome this season may be attributed to the isolated situation of the orchards, and the vigilant watch kept for moth and grub.

This pest should no longer be left ' to carry destruction to all orchards. The owner of a single tree, as well as the largest orchardist, should use every means to destroy the insect in all its stages of development. Unless fruitgrowers awake to more energetic action thia pest will be more destructive than all others known to apple cultivators. When the worm prepares to change its state for that of chrysalis it may be fonnd lodged in the loose bark of the tree, or if loose bands of hay, or cloth, or the wooden hoops from dry goods or liquor barrels be placed around the stocks or branches they will congregate there in numbers ; these traps should be frequently searched. A naked light carried on a quiet night during summer months will frequently destroy numbers of the flying moths. All fruit attacked should be burnt or given to cattle or pigs. If concerted and united action is not taken the time is not far distant when the only means of eradication will be the compulsory destruction of the trees.

Mildew was not so prevalent, and the black spot upon the pear caused no injury this season.

The report further mentions the total failure of strawberries last season. It says : "An aphis on the under side of the leaves now causes more damage than the grub which attacks the roots, and which is also prevalent." We are informed that this pest has also made its appearance in Otago.

We have received a copy of the North Otago Horticultural Society's prize schedule for the coming year. A large number of special prizes are offered by the residents of Oamaru and the surrounding district for competition at the different shows to be held during the year, and the society offers a special prize for the taker of the largest number of prizes at each show.