A RECENT "DISCOVERY."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1144, 3 June 1911, Page 8

A RECENT "DISCOVERY."

.A'TUKN IN TflU COxNTROVURSI'. The controversy regarding tho supposed 'discovery of the cause of bitter pit in apples, by two Victorians, has taken an interesting turn. Professor Ewart' now ißays that the result of the investigations Dr. Whito and he had made has shown ■ that the spray is a causo of the disease. [What further investigations in the next Hwelvo months Mill do remains, to bo seen. 11l a conversation on the subject (re.ports tho "Argus"), Professor Kwart said: —"Our work applies only to tho disease sfirst recognised about 181/0, and to which [the rather misleading nnme of bitter pit pas been given. By disproving tho theory that tho disease is caused by tho burslfins °f superficial cells, wo have sivnipt'least one year's work to any other iu'..vestigators." Some of- tho critics have stated that' ibittor pit was present hefbro spraying 'for codlin moth was introduced, but, so ;i'ar as Dr. Whito mid Professor Uirart ■have been able to discover, there is no authentic record of its appearance till the late eighties or early nineties, about ■tliu time that spraying was introduced. I "The other forms resembling this disease rin appearance, but (jitito distinct from tit," said Professor Bwart, "include a form of surface-marking, shown more particularly on the Jonathan apple, which does not penetrate into the fruit. A .second is a spot on the surface, due to tho attack of a fungus, and a third is a result of mechanical injuries. All of •these at times present similitudes to bitter .pit, but none of them are accompanied .by the nOn-solntion of tho starch grains characteristic of the bitter pit. All investigators are agreed that the disease is not accompanied by any micro-organisms, and the most careful microscopical research fails to reveal (he presence of any. svo cultures can be obtained, nor can any infection be transmitted from tho disease ■■tissue to oticr fruits. "The first point_ Dr. White found was that tho formations which dissolved starch were still present around the bitter pit. Hence there must be something present which prevented their action, It was shown that certain chemicals would do all this. In my own orchard in the present season Mi trees, were sprayed, and 32 were left ttnspraycd. In the'unfiprayed portion there was plenty of fruit spot, but no bitter pit. The sprayed portion showed more or less bitter pit on nearly all tho trees, but no fruit spot." In tho following day's "Argus" appeared tho result of an interview with Mr. Graham (tho Minister for Agriculture). Jlr. Graham said:— "The first claim put forward by Professor P.wnrt was that tho problem of bitter pit had been solved. Then it was stated that ho had got a theory as to 'the' cause, not as to 'a' cause. This morning there is another change of ground, and it is suggested that bitter pit is a thing which may easily be mistaken for something clsp, and that it is this 'something else' which all the or-chard-ists have got and call bitter pit, and that the kind of bitter pit which Professor Ewart thinks ho cau prove to l>e caused by spraying in a year's test is tho Teal bitter pit. Now, I-do not think thero are any good grounds for confusion in this Tespeot, for, apart from the wellknown naked-eye characteristics of tho disease, I am advised that there aro laboratory tests which readily differentiate bitter pit from anything else, namely, the presence of normal starch granules in the surrounding degenerated tissue. Therefore, there is no need to wait for the next, apple season for proper disproof of this theory."

STATE FARMS. WHAT FARMERS THINK ABOUT THEM. For somo time some of tho South Island farmers have been urging that the Government should establish an experiment farm in Canterbury, and, at tho North Canterbury Conference of Farmers' Union branches last week, Mr. O'llalloran (Oxford) moved':—"That tho Minister for Agriculture be requested to establish an experiment station in North Canterbury." Ho pointed out that the experiments conducted at the North Island experiment farms were of little or no use to farmers in Canterbury. A farm should be established for North Canterbury on some site between the Ashburton and Huruutii Rivers. Mr. Ensor said that during his recent visit to tho North island he had con•vdrfed with farmers, residing in tho vicinity of the experiment farms,' and their opinions were unfavourable.' The speaker was of opinion that Lincoln Collego could do more good for Canterbury farmers than all the experiment farms put together. ■ Mr. Jones said that the experiment farms in the North Island were doing very excellent work, but it was too costly to think of extending the system. He moved, as an amendment, "That tho De, partment of Agriculture be asked to supply information regarding the conditions Under which the Department conducts experiments on farmers' lands." Mr. Evans seconded this, and it was agreed to; At the same time the Auckland Farmers' Union Conference had under consideration matters concerning the Slate farms. On the remit, that consideration lie given to the methods under which experiments are carried out on the Government experiment farms (Buckland and Auckland), Captain Colbeck suggested that a committee he set up to collect information on. the subject of the management of the farms, .and send it to the Minister Mr. Mnkgill thought that the money used on the farms rnvrht bo better spent in endowing the North. Island with an agricultural college. Mr. Allan stated reasons for being a strong .advocate of the Government farms, but be thought that tho experiments weTe not being carried out in the right direction. He considered that the farms might be carried on on practical commercial lines, and he advocated the setting up of honorary farmers' advisory boards in different provinces to suggest directions in which the experiments might be made. What tho farmers wanted were such things as, say, a blight-resisting potato. . An addition, "And that the Dominion executive be requested to inouire and consult the Minister" was made to _ the remit, which .was unanimously carried. PRICE OF MILK. It is reported Hint there is a possibility of tho price of milk in Wellington being raised. The present figure is fourponco a quart. It is stated that the milk supply is less now than is usual at this timo of the year. It is understood, too, that a number of city residents have had difficulty in-getting as much milk as they needed lately. ,•..-■ .■ . ' The rise,, it is said, will be small (if there is one)—probably a halfpenny. GENERAL FARMING NEWS. At the annual meeting of tho Paniagua Farmers' Association.satisfaction, was expressed with the state of the finances. There is a surplus.of- JB73G 13s. lid. Tho 'election of directors'resulted "as' follows: Messrs. A. Knox, A. Ross,'C. Avery, A. M'Farlane; J. T. Marriott, T. Mexted, and Jacob Manson. Tho International Institute of AgricuU hire, which has its headquarters in Rome, has written t'o tho Dominion secretary of the New Zealand Farmers' Union asking for particulars of the New Zealand organisation. Ploughing operations are again in full swing iu tho Wairarapa district says a Wairarapa exchange. Exhibitors at tho National Dairy Showare reminded that- entries closo on Monday, June 5, for all divisions in fruit, vegetables, farm products, home industries, poultry, pigeons, and canaries.

■At'a meeting of tho Marton Ploughing 'Match Committee it was agreed that four classes be made, three for double furrows and one for single furrow ploughs. Substantial nrizes will bo otl'crcd in each ca*c. The Ground Committee was appointetl'as follows:-Messrs. Gray, Crabbe, Marshall and Sinclair, who were empowered to carry out matters in connection with the match. -Messrs. Houghton, Crabbe, YVarrincr and Sinclair were appointed to draw up tho programme. Trophies and cash prizes will be given for horses, grooming, harness, and best fancy finishing. The sheaf-throwin* competition open to all-comers wilt carry with it a special prize given by Mr. J. 0. Wilson. The choice of a paddock has not been decided yet. It is proposed to hold tho match about July 12.

When speaking to the toast, "Pioneer Settlers," at the Farmers' Union banquet at Woodville, Mr. Ewen Campbell, of Wahgnnui, said that the subject had its sad side as well as its bright side. They were all gone, those pioneers—perhaps tho grandest lot of men aud ! women who ever left Old Englaud.

A Masterton report says that an experiment in the use of basic slag is to be made on the farm of Mr. J. H. Percy, of Tividalc, Bideford. The experiment is to bo conducted over a period of two years.

The Pahiattia branch of, the Farmers' Union has decided to hold its annual social early in July. A committee consisting of Messrs. A. Ross (president), T. tiuirk (vice-president), J. Manson, J. M'Cnrthy, and Captain Whyte has been appointed to organise the affair, and a strong committee of ladies will also bo set up.

Farmers from Canterbury are going to Southland in considerable numbers, according to the Balfour correspondent of the Southland "Times." He says they aro buying up farm after farm, and northern buyers who came down and bought some years ago,' have now sold out at a handsome profit. There has been no end of farms changing owners in this district this year. Some say that it is the dairy factory that has done it, but I do not think so. The quality of land here is just as good as anywhere else, but the price has always bcen_bcliiw other parts. Outsiders, knowing this, are milking good use of their knowledge.

The following remit to tho Dominion Conference was adopted by tho Auckland Provincial Conference of the Farmers' Union:—"That tho Dominion Conference be asked to discuss the action of the Government in regard to tho regulations imposed on tho manufacturers of Indian boncdust for import into New Zealaud, and if it seems advisable to ask the Government to relax those which aro nowraising objections from the manufacturers." Mr. Makgill explained that owing to the stringent regulations on boncdust (to prevent any probable introduction of anthrax, etc.), the manufacturers wore refusing to send bonedust. to New Zealand, and what did como was being sent at an enhanced cost.

Reports nro being received from Melhven (Canterbury) and the surrounding districts that the grub is more numerous and its devastations considerably greater than any previous season on record, but in spite of this the farmers have decided to again put a largo area under cereal crops. Grain, both oats and wheat, has been coining into Methvcn in large quantities during several weeks past, and the railway authorities found considerable difficulty in supplying Iho demand lor trucks.

At the North Canterbury Conference of the Fanners' Union, .Mr. OMlalloran (Oxford) submitted the following remit:— "Tlint it be ,1 recommendation lo the conference (hat they inquire if there is any necessity, apart from custom, lor allowing one'pound per cut. draft on wool In .secure to the buyer n hundred weight of wool in a fair commercial sense." He said that the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, when asked for an opinion on the subject, had stated that there yths no fair commercial reason for the custom. The .speaker said that it meant that the woolgrowers were giving away upwards of JIIO.OOO per annum.. The remit was agreed to. The Melbourne "Arc" publishes a messago from Apollo Bay, which slates: "There is at present on view in Apollo Bay a fine sample of blight-proof Eldorado potatoes grown by Mr. C. V. Fricke, of Apollo Bay. He has been growing this variety for the last three years, and has proved them to be blight-proof. They have been grown side by side with other varieties, and were treated in the same way, but on each occasion whilo the other kinds were stricken with the Wight the Eldorados came to maturity unharmed." Seeing that the Jewish community in the United Kingdom numbers about a quarter of a million, if the perseverance of the Jewish Shechita Board in London succeeds in overcoming the prejudice against frozen kosher meat, an important class of new customers should be ultimately gained for the refrigerated article (says the London correspondent of the Christchurch 'Tress"). The present experiment, inaugurated last August is not flourishing, though the meat, imported by the Eiver Plate Fresh Meat Co. from' its Argentine works, was last September said to bo selling at the rate of SO bullocks a week. Public prejudice, on all fours with past experience among the Gentiles—is holding back the trade, but the Shechita Board is so convinced of the advantage of a cheap meat supply that it has assisted tho opening of a special shop to sell nothing but frozen kosher moat, and this venture is said to be doing fairly well. Angora goats are reported to be doing pood work with'the blackberries at Omata (Taranaki). One . farm there. lias been practically cleared of this noxious weed during the past six years, and the owner now leases his flock to his neighbours at a small weekly rental. A grub has made its appearance in some of the maize crops in the Kendall district in New South Wales. It is a grub which eats its way into the stalk of tho corn, and forges its way up the centre, demolishing the nith, and consequently weakening the stalk. The weight oi. tho cob, with the wind, brings it down. Some crops arc affected much worse than others. Australian butter is said to be suffering through some of the butter boxes used. Some factories have suffered considerable monetary loss during the season (says the Sydney "Herald"). The timber was so green in some of these that mould-growth flourished there in a very vigorous manner, so much so that by the time the butter was placed on the floors, in Sydney for export the- mould growth had grown right through the outsido parchment paper and on to the. surface of the butter. Tn most cas-es the timber was almost wholly responsible for the presence of the mould spores or :.ecds from which the moulds germinated.