LAX ORCHARDISTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 465, 25 March 1909, Page 2

LAX ORCHARDISTS.

PROSECUTIONS PENDINC. Thirty or forty fruitgrowers in different parts of Now Zealand who iiavo failed to convinco tho orchard inspectors _ that they aro properly fighting tho pests in their orchards may shortly hoar inoro about tho matter. The cliief pests that call for treatment in tho New Zealand orchards aro codlin moth and mussel scale. Both can bo cheaply suppressed. Numerous' instances aro reported (says Mr. Boucher, pomologist), in which tho codlin moth has been so well controlled that less than 1 per cent, of tho crop of apples was infected by tho insect. In the Port Albert district especially, moth infection has been reduced to next to nothing. Two sprayings, or three at tho most, aro all that aro needed even for tho late varieties of apples. It is to bo regretted (says Mr. Boucher) that in every district of tho North Island there aro somo ]}eoplo who will makeno effort to control codlin moth, mussel scale, or any other pest, and who mako decided action by tho Department necessary. Tho Department would prefer that tho trouble and expense involved upon theso owners by sitch action should bo applied mstoad to cleaning tho orchards. Tho recognised spraying materials to bo used for tho two pests specially mentioned aro lime, salt, and sulphur preparation for spring uso on mussel scale, and a certain preparation of arsenate of lead for uso against tho codlin moth.