NOTES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1493, 26 February 1887, Page 4

NOTES.

In our Notes of last Saturday we commented upon the havoc wrought among cherry, pear, and plum trees by that loathsome little creature the treeleech, and indicated the desirableness of information as to how to check the ravages of this pest of the orchardist. We are now informed that the leech does not ascend to the branches from the ground, and hence that no applica- | tion to the trunks of the trees would prevent its attacking the leaves. The leech is said to be hatched on the leaf from the egg of an insect known as the sawfly — hence it would seem that the only way of dealing- with it is by the application of some dressing to the leaf itself. A solution of hellebore is said to be the best remedy, giving . the trees a thorough sprinkling with it from top to bottom. In order to this an ordinary rose or perforated nozzle does not work satisfactorily, as the liquid needs to be spread thoroughly, so as to be finely divided, and to fall over a wide area. A local invention — the. spreader patented by Mr H. Friedlander's gardener, and known as lf Ashton's Patent"— seems to answer the purpose admirably, water driven through this being divided into fine spray over a large radius. It is exactly what is wanted for dressing trees for the destruction of the leech, or as a protection against its attacks, for it is said that it the hellebore solution be applied to the leaves before the leech makes its appearance its ravages will be wholly prevented, as the hellebore imparts a bitter taste to the leaves which deters the insect from feeding upon them.

While referring to matters entomological — though it will be no news to our readers to say that the humble bee is now distributed throughout the whole district — it may be interesting to note that evidence is now forthcoming of the practical results of its acclimatisation. There is before us as we write a head of red clover, taken from a paddock close to Ashburton, which is lull of seed, and we are assured that it is a fair sample of the whole field. The problem of growing our own red clover seed is, therefore, satisfactorily solved, and for this we have to thank the humble bees and their original introducer — who, it we mistake not, was Mr Herbert Belfield, of Timatu. Fot humble as these insects are, m reality as well, as m name, they are able to accomplish what mffn with all his ingenuity can devise no plan to effect, viz., the fructification of the millions of fragrant blossoms which render a red clover field such a delight to the sense of smell as well as to the sense of sight, and there is no example m the whole history of acclimatisation of a more pronounced and entirely satisfactory success than that of the introduction and establishment of the humble bee m New Zealand.

Another item of interest m connection with acclimatisation is supplied by the information that our friends at Oamaru are m a fair way of adding to the attractions of their surroundings the charms of the song of that sweetest of all songsters the nightingale, and the bright trill of that chief favorite of all English children, the robin redbreast. Some weeks ago that enthusiastic bird fancier, Mr Charles Bills, succeeded m importing a considerable number of both these birds, m excellent health, and we are glad to see that Mr John McLean has had a couple of pairs of each liberated at Redcastle, where we hope they will increase and multiply. We should like, however, to hear of a consignment finding its way to Ashburton, and should be glad to join m a subscription to raise a few pounds for the purpose. We have already the song of the skylark and of the blackbird, but we should gain an added charm to life m our district if when the sliades of evening fall our shrubberies and plantations were resonant with the exquisite music of the nightingale. Why should the committee of our local Acclimatisation Society turn their attention to fish only ? Here is a splendid chance to do something which would esrn for them the general thanks of the public, and we are sure that if only the matter were taken up the necessary sum could very quickly be raised. For, be it remembered, that m the case of the nightingale there would be no per contta to its charms m the shape of a loss of fruit, grain, or seeds, as it is trictly insectivorous, and as regards Master Robin, the only toll he will take will be a little small fruit, of which we have abundance and to spare.

TO change the subject — it may perhaps sounu suincw..at alarming to the good folk of Ashburton town and county to be told that just now there are two or three very active individuals moving about amongst them with the special object of taking their lives. It is, however, happily not necessary to look to the fastenings of windows and doors, to sharpen swords, or to load revolvers or blunderbusses, the individuals referred to being by no means bloodthirsty either m appearance or intention, but simply canvassing m the interests of the Government, the Equitable, the New York, and other Insurance Associations. All the offices mentioned are fortunately good ones, and m insuring m either the prudent man can scarcely go wrong. We wish all the canvassers the greatest possible success, as if only all who can afford it would insure against death and old age there j would be much less suffering and privation m the world than there is to-day.

Attention is very properly being called to the great need that exists m the colony for some institution for the care of the indigent blind, and for the education of blind children. It is heartily to be hoped that the subject will be warmly taken up, and that this one great hiatus m the list of our charitable institutions will ere long be filled by the founding of a Blind Asylum and a school for blind children. Apropos to the latter we find the following m the Auckland Evening Bell of the 21st inst : — Some time since, at a meeting of ministers oi various denominations, the subject of the formation of a school for teaching the blind was discussed, and the Revs R. Bavin and T. Spurgeon undertook to make enquiries with reference to the matter, and to ascertain, if possible, the number of blind persons m the colony, and also to enquire from the

Government whether they would be disposed to assist'in the founding af a proper school for bind children. Nothing so far has transpired as to the action of these gentlemen, but we learn that a competent teacher of the blind has recently arrived m Auckland from Australia, and that he proposes opening a school for the teaching of his fellow sufferers m this colony. He is also blind himself. Would this not be an excellent opportunity for the establishment of such a useful and beneficial branch of education ? At present there is not a school m the colony for blind children, although nearly every other branch of education is undertaken by the State.