THE WHITE BUTTERFLY

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12428, 22 August 1933, Page 3

THE WHITE BUTTERFLY

PARASITES FOR LIBERATION. SPRAYING OF GARDEN PLOTS RECOMMENDED. Recently the Ramievirke Borough Council wrote to Massey College and the Cawthron Institute seeking advice regarding the depredations of the white butterfly last season. At the last meeting of the council the following communication in reply to the town clerk’s enquiry was read from Mr J. Muggeridge, entomologist at the Plant Research Station, Massey College: “With reference to your suggestion that the council give' a bounty for dead moths, I think that this would be sheer waste of money, as from the point of view of control it would be comparatively useless. During the coming season w'e hope to have parasites for liberation in different parts of the country, but I fear that you can expect little from these parasites for some time to come, as it will only be after they have become thoroughly distributed throughout infected areas that the effects of their presence will be felt. To control the pest so far as garden crops are concerned, I suggest that a lead arsenate spray be used. In the 1931 June issue of the New Zealand Journal of Agriculture brief reference is made' concerning a suitable spray to apply, and I feel that under the circumstances this is the best that you can do for the present.” Or. C. J. Hansard: They don’t expect the council to go round and spray the gardens, do they? Cr. E. 'Gribbard pointed out that if gardeners stopped growing cauliflowers and cabbages the white butterfly would attack some other vegetable, and they might not be able to grow any vegetables at all if the menace was not soon checked. The Mayor (Mr M. D. Smith): It is like the depression, they have not yet found a scheme for settinoover it! e» Lr. I . W . Smith: It is a pity we cannot induce the sparrows to eat tlm white butterfly. (r. E. Gibbard: I think we should try and get some of the parasites Nlassey College liberated here. 1 ue Mayor: It Js pretty sure they will have let them loose in Hawke’s -Bay. Ci. E. Gibbard: I think we should write and see if we cannot have some parasites liberated in this district . The Mayor: Yes, there would be no harm m that. It. was decided to enquire from Massey College whether auv parasites could lie liberated m ' Dannevirke district.