The Timaru Herald. SATURDAY, JANUARY 2. 1886.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3514, 2 January 1886, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. SATURDAY, JANUARY 2. 1886.

We are not m favor as a general rule of the Government undertaking to teach private individuals their business. There may be cases m which such a policy might be adopted with good results, but they are very rare. We are quite willing to admit, however, that the Ministry did wisely m appointing a scientific man m the person of Professor Kirk to examine into the fruit blights which are devastating the orchards and gardens of the colony, and to give nurserymen and gardeners a little practical advice m coping with the evil. It was indeed time that something was done m the matter. As Professor Kirk points out, the evil had already attained the most serious dimensions. In Nelson and Marlborough, which had suffered more than any other parts of the colony, the results were of a particularly painful character. Many settlers possessed of small holdings had derived the chief portion of their income from fruittrees, and these had become valueless chiefly from scab and American blight. The export of fruit from Nelson ports had largely diminished, many of the settlers had suffered a good deal of privation, and many of them it is stated have been leaving the district to procure work m other localities. In these cases private effort had undoubtedly failed to cope with the mischief. Most of the smaller cultivators, who would be most injured by the pest 3 seem to have the vaguest ideas as to how they can best protect themselves from their ravages. We have for instance been assured by a gardener, a shrewd and experienced man m many respects, that the cause of the peach-trees dying aw;iy m the colony m such numbers is that they have all been " struck by lightning." What there was particularly attractive to electricity about the peachtree m comparison with other trees, and whether a supply of lightning rods would mend the evil, were points on which he did not offer any explanation. Professor Kirk is a scientific mau, but ho knows how to treat his subjects m a popular way that will be useful to non-scientific people. Regarding the peach-blight, for instance, which has caused such wholesale destruction that tbo poacb, once the commonest fruit m the colony, is now one of the rarest, Professor Kirk tells us that the weakening of the vital energies of the plant baa been effected by growing peaches on their own roots, and is to bo seen m all countries where such a course has been followed. This is notably the case with the old Maori peach-grovea where one generation of trees after another have grown up from seed, and the same may be said of the cultivated trees m the orchards and gardens of the settlers. All the peach trees m the colony, m fact, have either been raised from seed or have been worked on peach stocks. ■ What the writer suggests should bo done is that all the dying trees should be cleared away, and a fresh start made with trees grown from healthy buds, on the mussel plum, the stock invariably adopted by English nurserymen. This he unhesitatingly declares, would once more allow of the profitable cultivation of the fruit. Another terrible pest to fruit-growers is the American blight, which attacks apples. There is no more unwelcome sight m an orchard than the cottonylooking tufts on the apple trees, indicating the presence of this blight. Yet the remedy is comparatively simple. Make a mixture of wood soot, with castor oil — about 2ozs to the gallon — dab it on the infected places with a paint brush, and yon have a cure which Professor Kirk has never known to fail when properly applied. The same treatment is equally efficacious for getting rid of apple scale, and indeed the scale insects generally, whether found on apples, plums, or the other trees which they infest. Reverting to the American blight it is interesting to learn that our author considers that trees may be protected from it and from other aphides by planting the common tall nasturtium at the root and allowing it to ascend the stem. This is so simple that it is certainly worth trying. Last autumn we were appealed to by a correspondent who found the foliage of bis -pear trees were being devoured by a terrible little creature like a lilliputian leech. Acting "on information received " we advised him to syringe the tree with an infusion of hellebore, or to dust the leaves with road-dust early m the morning. Both these remedies, we observe are recommended by Professor Kirk, who thinks, however, that syringing the tree with a solution made by ndding 1-J oz of caustic potash to a gallon of water would be even more effectual. For vine mildew he recommended sublimed sulphur dusted over the affected parts, or washing them with a solution of permanganate of potash — say, two ounces to a gallan of water; People who have had their lawns destroyed by the terrible grassgrub (Ocloittria Zealandia), which has also developed a taste for strawberries and roots of trees, will be glad to hear what Professor Kirk has to say on this subject. Briefly, he recommends watering the ground with a solution of caustic potash and sulphur, as being likely to destroy the larva:. The grub, he says, may also be destroyed by mixing soot or sulphur with the soil, or by soaking it with soap-suds, or by pressure on the surface. Clearly, then, our children are not the only animated beings that suffer from " over pressure." Further, Profeesor Kirk tblle up that

ploughing and harrowing are effectual on a large scale, as the grub is singularly impatient of any disturbance of the surface soil. Our limited space will not allow us to go into all the details contained m this valuable and instructive paper. We may mention, however, a few general points on which Professor Kirk lays especial stress. He points out that if fruit trees are kept well pruned they will be much more easy to get at with a view of extirpating insect pests.^ind he urges that they should be opened out m the centre bo as to admit plenty of light and air. Prunings and thinnings from affected trees should be promptly burned, moss and lichen should not be allowed to grow on the trunks and branches, grass and weeds should be eradicated about the roots. Above all the pests should be extirpated on their first appearance, when the task can be accomplished with comparatively little difficulty, whereas if they are allowed to increase until the whole orchard is affected, the work will involve a large expenditure of time and labor. In this case as m so many others it is emphatically true that " a atitch m time saves nine." In conclusion we must congratulate the author on a really able and practical report which if its recommendations are acted upon may be the means of saving the colony thousands of pounds. The Government are also to be congratulated m this case for having made one really useful appointment, ap irt from political reasons. If Professor Kirk does as well for our forest treea as he has done for our fruit trees, the public will not consider the Conservator of Forests the holder of a useless office.

DBUSKKNNB3S.— SeveraI men who had " indulged " a little too freely yesterday will have to make their appearance at the Polico Court this morning. New Year's Day.— Yesterday being New Year's Day, was observed as a general holiday m town, and bo will to-day bo by the majority of people. The weather, so far, has been very fine, if we leave out the heavy showers of Thursday night, too fine, indeed, to suit tho wishes of many farmers. Crtr Band Ball. - This annual bull was held last evening m tho Assembly rooms, and wasu great success. Dancing commenced about nine o'clock, and was kept up spiritedly till four this morning. Tho music was provided by Mr Wood's string band nnd was nv.-st excellent. Mr Alfred Williams acted as M.C., and us usual, gavo tho utmost satisfaction. Messrs Hooper and 6rm had the catering, nnd provided a fir. tclass supper. The hall was well decorated, ami tho ni^it being a cool one, dancing was most enjoyable. Narrow Escape. — A man who was bathing m the sea m front of the Landing fcervico yesterday morning had a narrow escape fr>m drowning. When about 30 ynrda out he got crumped, and had it not been for another person who was swimming closo to him, and who observed his condition, thero is liitlc doubt fatal results would have ensued. As it was ho was got on the beach, well rubbed, and afterwards taken to tho Club Hotel where ho was placed under Dr Lovegrove's care. We understand ho is now out of danger, and has been nh\? to go home. Congbbqationai. CnURCH.— The Rev. William K. Rice, of the North Adekido Baptist Church, and formerly a student with tho Rev. C. H. Spurt'eon is announced to preach m tho Congregationul Church, North street, to-morrow evening at half-past 6. Mr Rice was appointed to supply at tho Auckland Tabernacle during the absenco m Bngland of tho Rev. Thomas Spurgeon where his labors wcro so highly appreciated as to secure for him a call to the largo and flourishing church m North Adelaide, where ho is now hsppily settled Mr Rice being on a visit to his friends m this town has kindly consented to occupy the pulpit of the Rev. J. Foster as announced. PlCNtc— The Baptist Sunday School annual picnic took place yesterday, m a paddock opposite Mr LeCren's, at Waimataitai, kindly lent by Messrs Bowie, Wood and Hnrt for the occasion. A large mnrque was erected on the ground, whose shelter added very materially to tho enjoyment of scholars and paronts. A large variety of toys were provided, enough for erery uhild to win one or inoro m the many races. The gathering was larger than m any previous year, and as the arrangements were very complete, the wholo affair parsed off very successfully. Accident. — Some people driving along the main street about midnight la-t evening Lad a narrow esuupo from a very serious if not fatal accidont. A spring cart w:is being driven at a great pace along the Main South Road, when it met a four-wheeled trup coining m the opposite direction. The traps met opposite Eiehbauuis the chemist's, and a violent collision was tho result. Mo«t of tho occupants were Indies, and as the spring cart got capsized tho occupants of it got thrown out into the road. Providentially not one of tho peoplo was seriously hurt, but they got a terrible fright Tho horses, strange to say, got clear of the vehicles altogether, and stood quietly by. Sergeant L'ullen and his men rendered most valuablo assistance, and m a very fow minutes got tho wrecked cart cleared uway, and the people whoso journey had thus come to an untimely end, provided for. Sr. Patrick's College. — Dr Wattcrs Rector of the above Collego, arrived from Aahburton by the mid-day Express yesterday, and was met at the railway Btation by tho Rev. Fathers Foley and O'Hallahan, Messrs Kett, O'Driscoll, Harncy, and Duval. Two carriages wcro m waiting and drove tho party to tho Presbytery, where, alter tho usual greetings, MrJ. D. Kett read tho following address, beautifully illuminated by Mr M. de H. Duval, and which, as Dr Watters remarked, was a real piece of art .-— " To the Very Reverend Felix J. Watters, 5.M..D.D., Rector of St. Patrick's Collego, Wellington. Very Reverend and Dear Sir. — We, tho representatives of the Catholic people of Tiumru, beg to present you with ouv heartiest felicitations, on this your first visit amongst us. We aro deoply indebted to the wisdom and zeal of our venerablo Bishop m having secured tho services of euch able Professors for St. Patrick's College. Under your direction we feol confident the Eturtonts of St. Patrick's shall distinguish themselves m scientific knowledge, as the alumni of the Catholic Univorsity School, Dublin, where you havo hold tho post of Professor of Classics, for upwards of twelve years, have done, with such marked success. Your pupils have won the highest honors at the public examinations, one of them being a gold medalist m 1884. We congratulate tho Catholio parents of New Zealand for having suoh competent teachers under your distinguished presidency, to whom they may entrust the education of their sons The futuro of this young colony depends upon the wisdom of her rulers, who shall be selected chiefly from the young men who aro now trained m our colleges. It is therefore of the greatest importance that they should be instructed, not only m secular eeienco, but that their heart and will also be formed to the love of justice and truth. I ' 1 1 i a is whnt we expect from the boys trained m St. Putrick's collego, having their mind storod with orcry necessary useful, secular and scientific knowledge, their heart and will moulded upon the law of God, they will become good citizens, truo patriots, ready to sacrifice themselves at the call of duty for tho advancement of their country. Accept our best wishes, and allow us the honor of signing ourselves on behalf of tho Catholics of Timaru. (Signed) yours respectrully, W. Gosling, J. D. Kbit, Thosi\s O'Deiscoll, Thomas HABNEr, M. de H. Dcval." To this addreis the Very Rev. Dr Watters replied as follows : — " Gentlemen : The address so generous m sentiment a»d so artistic m form with which you greet uiy first visit to Timaru is of a kind to intimidate one more accustomed than I am to such flattering expressions of welcome. But I know that m me you regard less the individual than the cause I feebly represent. I Besscm trufflc-ient to justify mo m bopujg that

you will not expect m response to your sympathetic and beautiful address the studied periods of a stereotyped reply, the more so as it was but a moment ago I received the intimation that it was your spontaneous wish to accord me m my capacity of firnt rector of St. Patrick's College a warm and hearty welcome. The too nattering terms m which your address is couched I accept with the qualification that they are less due to the desserts of the present than to the far-reaching results you not unreasonably anticipate m the future. Whatever miecesses attended ray feeble efforts m the Old Land, I am bound to say, are traceablo to the able, willing and energetic colleagues who were associated with mo m the great work of education. Hay wo not hope, as m your address you foreshadow, that to our labors m thiß young and vigorous colony, may yet be owing brilliant successes m every sphere to which the youth who shall hate passed through our h*nds may be called? When I look around me m the first moment of my arrival, and see m church and convent, and schools, what overwhelming proofs you have given of your determination that tbe education of your children shall walk hand m band with religion, I am fairly juetilied m the forecast tha these children shall not be unworthy of the-ir sires, and that for those who rome after a great future is m store. To my brother priesU who have lent to this welcome tbe grace of their presence, my thanks are heartily accorded ; to you gentlemen who hare had the exceeding kindness tliua to meet me, I desire to express my deep aense of indebtedness. Permit me then to put on record my feelings of gratitude that the causo I represent awakens such generous throbs m tho people of Timaru." We may explain that the object of Dr Watters' visit is to examine the boys at the Catholic school who are competing for the pchotarships available at St. Patrick's College m Wellington.