BLOWFLIES

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22512, 21 September 1938, Page 6

BLOWFLIES

TO TUB EDITOR 0» THB PRESS. Sir,—One of the main causes that has prompted .me to write this letter to you, is Socialism. That is, "the greatest good, for the greatest number." Recently a friend of mine, with a mate, one day went out into the country for a day's shooting. After having obtained permission from the owner of a large farm, they set forth to try their luck at rabbit shooting. In the ■ afternoon they returned to the homestead, and during the friendly conversation with the farmer, the ever-increasing topic of politics was introduced. Complaints were made and resentment expressed against the Government by the farmer. He could not, and would not attempt to grow wheat at the guaranteed price. What decrease was there in the number of white butterflies, since the Government had professed to tackle the calamity? Then again, what aid was the Government giving sheepfarmers to combat the ever-increasing epidemic among sheep caused by blowflies? My friend in reply asked the farmer the reason for the large quantity of stable manure being placed in a dry water course? The reply was the large stones hurt the cows' feet. "Why not remove the stones and use the manure to improve your wheat crop?" he asked. "There is about £4O worth of manure there, arid the next heavy rain will cause the course to be flooded; then away will go all your valuable manure. Now, I want to give you some friendly advice concerning blowflies. During the day, travelling over your large farm, we saw at different spots, two horses, two cows, and three dogs, all dead. Why were those carcases not buried? You are blaming the Government because it has not eradicated the pest. Allow me to tell you that the Government is spending thousands of pounds every year by making grants to the Agriculture Department and the Cawthron Institute, which will enable them to exterminate these farmers' pests. Last year every taxpayer in New Zealand (Whether in town or country) had to pay £70,000 for the upkeep of the GfiWthron Institute. But they will not succeed. There is an adversary in the camp, and you are the enemy; ana perhaps there are other.? similar to you. In and on those dead earcares we saw millions of live maggots. There you are, breeding blowflies by the million, which, having devolved in a few davs from the maggot state, will overrun not only your property, but also that of your neighbours, causing disease and destruction among the flocks of sheep." Such was the advice, which was given by my frlund to the farmer. Part of the many instructions in a Board of Agriculture leaflet are, "The female fly is capable of laying as many as 500 eggs. These eggs may hatch in 24 hours, the resulting maggots feeoin at first externally, and later boring into the skin and flesh." "Carcases of all dead animals, including birds, should be burned or buried, so that they may not serve as breeding places for the fly.'— Your 3, etc., ~„„ H. S. PHILPOTT. September 13, 1938-