THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17471, 3 June 1922, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

WARNING TO CANTERBURY ORCHARDISTS. TO THE EMTOBOF "THE PRESS." Sir, —Having recently visited the fruit-growing districts in Auckland and NeWn, I fed it my duty to put Canterbury orchardista on their guard against an insect pest which, is doing a great deal of damage in those districts, but from which Canterbury, in common, I believe, with Otago, is at present free. I refer to the pear midge, which was first noticed in Auckland a few years ago, and has since made its appearance ™; Hawke's Bay, and more recently in ' the Motueka 'district. This is an inr£ h lays its e {p£* "* tho lenf buds of the pear; the l&rvaa ensconses itself snugly in a fold of the leaf, no that no spray can reach it, then de--8 the leaf, which turns black and fcUJa off. The lnrvro drops off, burrows about two or three inches into the soil, whence it subsequently emerges as the fly, and repeats the process. Young trees are completely defoliated, and, needless to say, raising nurserv stock ie hopeless where this pest is present. *ully-growii trees mav survive the attacks of the midgo and bear fruit. As, however, six or seven succes ive broods ot the insect are produced in one season, and no effective means lias vet been discovered of coping with the past, it is obvious that no effort should be spared to keep it out of those districts at present free from its ravges I would suggest that no pear trees might to lie allowed to be sent out of the infected districts. Apart from that, pear growers in Canterbury and Otago would be well advised not to admit into their orchards from those districts plants of any kind which have earth around their -roots.—Your, etc w W. H. TRIGGS'.' Wellington, June 1. Jottings for Farmers. The Elthnm -Argus" says that' a farmer in the neighbourhood of Eltuam, while cutting up a haystack for chaff had an unusual experience. Tho stack had been standing for two years, and he round the upper portion of it alive with mice.. Men working on tho stack had to strap round their trousers at the ankles to keep the little creatures from seeding refuge. The mice appear,ecl *° je present in thousands, and a < "ru n xvas to yield 40 tons • chaff gave only 15 tons. '

Ihe importance of tawa timber as a substitute for kahikatea in the manufacture of butter boxes was referred to by air Edwin Mitcholson at the annual meeting of the shareholders pf the National Timber Company. Ho said the question of a substitute for kahikatea was of vita] importance to the dairying industry. In the early days tawa'was used for staves of butter, kegs as it did not flavour the contents. It was heavier than white pine, but it would make an excellent box for export purposes and there were large quantities of tawa in the North that would in future be a valuable asset to the country. "There is not the slightest doubt that the burning off all scrub, and the consequent destruction of humus and shelter, has been an unnecessary labour, if not a mistake, as the following account of an experiment will go to show," states a writer in the Newsletter of the State Forest Service. "A plot of standing manuka scrub two acres in extent was selected, and rabbitnroof fenced. Through this small aroa of scrub, passages eighteen inches in width were cut, and in these passages or lines, pits were prepared, and trees planted or four different species. Tho result was that a 98 per cent, strike was obtained from all four species, while On wholly cleared land, the same season, only 60 per c \ strike waß recorded. The trees 's treated made much better growth the first and succeeding season than those out on the bare wind-swept area."

Addressing the Prime Minister at the Dunedin Show on Tuesday, Sir John Roberts remarked that from a long association with the wool trade, he tho.ught Mr Massey under-estimated ine increase to be looked for in the crossbred wools which were produced in large quantities, especially m the North Island, and he believed that by next year the prices of these sorts would show an advance of about 50 per cent, over their present values. Preparations are now being made to lift the whole of the commandeer wool which has been stored in Wanganui for a lengthy period (says the "Chronicle") and it is anticipated that local sWeB will be cleared within the next tAvo months. The worst crop of mangolds grown under the Boys' Club scheme in Taranaki yielded 7 tons to the acre. The best yield 77 tons 6 cwt. "If the farmers of the Wairarapa can grow anything like 60 or 70 tons to the acre the Boys' Clubs are worth instituting," said Mr P. M. Compton, in Masterton on Wednesday, at the Farmers' Union meeting. There is a steady demand for feuring wire in the district at the present time (says the Wanganui "Herald"), and several good orders have, been sent out by one lceal firm of late. Tho present quotation is £23 10s wholesale for American wire and £25 per ton for English. There are signs of a further reduction in the price of wire, and the same applies to corrugated iron. "'file question of politics is always in the foreground, and when I read the order papers it would appear that we are becoming a self-constituted advisory board to the Government," said Mr It. S. Chadwick, president of the Southern Hawke's Biy branch of the Farmers' Union. "It has been expressed time and again that we have set ourselves emphatically against politics so far as we. as a Farmers' Union, are concerned. As a union, politics do not como into our platform at all, and if you Miink the reasons are naturally obvious."

HOKN3 Y-ISLINGTON. The members of the Hornby Rugby League Football Olub held ttieir annual dance in the Islington .Social Hall on Thursday evening, when a most enjoyable evening was spent. The hull, which was tastefuliy decarated with the club'> colours, was packed. The inusio for the dancing was provided by Sutherland's baud, of Ciiristchurch, and Messrs W. Da-vies and G. Lennox acted as M.C.'s. Miss Hampton and Miss Cornelius each played tin extra. During the evening Muss Painter sang a song, for which she received a hearty encore. A dainty supper was provided. For the convenience of city friends the Hornby 'bus was delayed until 2 a.m.

BANGIOBA. The weather has now tamed very much, colder, and winter lias fairly set in. Yesterday morning wae dull, with every appearance of rain ; which set in during the afternoon with a drizzle from the north-east. 'A good rain is still wanted, to enable farmers to got on with their winter ploughing. The past month has been exceptionally free from wind, and complaints are general that tanks are becoming empty i bo a good blow i 3 also wanted. I On Thursday night on organ recital was given in the Presbyterian Church by Mr J. 6. Gibbs-Jordan, church organist, assisted by Mr G. E. March, of Siiiapoi, who enng several sacred songs, which were mu:h appreciated by the .large audience. During the evening -a 'coLecti'on was taken up in aid of the new church funds, and was very liberal'v resDonded to.

KAIAPOL In spite of unfavourable weather the annual social of the Kaiapoi Brass Band held in the Drill Hall last evening was largely attended. The hall was prettily decorated for the occasion with greenerr, flags, and streamers. A feature of the dance was the orchestra of twelve instruments conducted by Mr 0. Brockelbank.

LEE STOW. Arrangements for tho holding of its next Show were advanced a stage further by the Ellesmere A. and P. Association at a meeting of the general committee on Thursday, the president (Mr J. A. Scott), beingin the chair. A feature of the business was the decision to raise the gate fees from Is to 2s for adults, the charge for children remaining at 6d. The following sub-commit-tees were elected :—Finance: Messrs J. Boag, Junr.. J. Cunnimrhum, A. J. Inwood, T. A. Stephens, and the treasurer (ex-officio), AV. O. Ronnie. Ground, Messrs J. Boag, Junr., G. H. I. McGill. A. McLachlan, R. T. McMillan, J Nixon, AV. Scott. IT. Schnelle. T. A. Stephens and L. AV. Storry Cattle and Pigs. Messrs L. B. Coe, G. H. Barnett. John Brooks. AV. M. Gahbie. AA Lorkhead, I. Men ill, A. McLachlan, J. P. McEvedv. J Nixon, G. Nairn. T. H. Overton. Sheep and Dogs, Messrs A\ . Abbott, Joseph Brooks, T AV. Brooks, AV. Johnston. T. A. Stephens, R. T. McMillan, L. AV. Storrv. Light Horses, Messrs AV. Lemon, AV. Lochhead. A. McLaughlan, L. AV. Storry. T. H. Overion R T. M-MilUn, I. McGill, J. P. McEvedy. R. McClure, J. Morehe.nd, J Nixon.' H. McLenaghcn. H. Schnelle. IVrausiht Horses, Messrs AV. Abbott T. AV Brooks .1 Cunningham, IT. Alc'.xniaghen, J. Boag. .lunr... AV. J. Lemon, E. E Jenkins, AV. D. Rennie. J. Nixon. R Patterson, AV. Johnston. Dairy Produce iunior classes. Messrs H. Burnett, A J. Inwood. T. McGill. L. B. Coe, G. Nairn, H. Lunelle, AV. Scott. JBrooks, AJ. MePherson. Grain, Roots ptul Poultry. M"->r* G. H. B;rnrft. A. J. Inwood, A McPhrrson, A. McLau«hlan. Arch Mr-Lnchlin. AV Scott. Implements, Messrs J. B. Mcl.vedv, T. A. Stephens, AV. Young, R. Patterson, L, B. Cce.

DOKIB. At the Doric Kifle WuVj ran*e. a luutca was neid tor * **W presented bv the New Zealand Loa« and Mercantile Agency Company. ih» following tied wan total sco.es of <O, the handicaps bang theses :-L. Harrison U.), C Morgan (7), B. Kingsbury (s>, b Leslie (0, Curry (C), te. Smith (V), $■ gIn the shoot-oif, C. Morgan proved the winner. An extra practice was heW to pick the team to represent tue club in the tournament at Ashburton and a very high average was registered. EAKAIA. Tha monthly meeting of the Bakaia branch of the P.W.M.J. wasi heldin St Vndrew's schoolroom on ihursday afternoon. Mrs Boag presided over a small attendance. A discussion took place on the forthcoming visit of Miss Salmond on furlough from India, and it was decided to ask her to give an address in Haknia in August on the work of the Bible-woman m India, who is supported by the itakaia Church. Mrs S. Breach, Miss Bruco, and Miss Clark were appointed to receive material to be made up for the sale of work at the annual soiree m October. It was also decided to endeavour to arrange for some of t*he men .of the congregation to hold a produce sale at the aalevards on the sale-day before the tea meeting, tne money so raised to go towards the church funds, not to missions. It was announced that tiie next monthly meeting would be the annual meeting. ASHBTJRTON. The annual convention of Sunday school teachers will be commenced in St. Andrew's Church Bchoolroom ' this

morning. Tho members of the conference will bo entertained at luncheon in the Raring square Methodist Cmirch schoolroom, .and during the afternoon Miss Elliot! Sunday school organi.-or for the Church of England, will givo an address. For the 2i seat* on the- general committee of the Ashburton A. and ■!'• Association .'l7 nominations have been received. The retiring vice'-president, Mr John Findlny, is the only ouo nominated for the office of president. Messrs J. M. Hampton and R. J. Mulligan have been nominated for tho vicepresidency.

BARE HILL. A progressive euchre meeting held in tho schoolroom was most successful, there being a crowded attendance. Tile ladies' prize, a dainty silk bag with hand-painted pansies, was won by Mrs Mclhvraith, and the gentlemen's prize was won by Mr S. McNeil. Consolation prizes were also awarded. A dainty supper was provided by tho ladies. The ordinary meeting of the Barr Hill school committee was held in the schoolroom, those present being:— Messrs J. Collison (chairman), A. Campion, R. Dixon, P. McCabe, and R> McLean. A letter, in answer to the committee's requests, was received from the Board, promising to have the smoky fireplace attended to. Miss 11. Leamah was appointed caretaker for the ensuing year. During tho week the school was visited bv Mr Haslam, Inspector of Schools.