A "PLANT" CANCER.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1558, 30 September 1912, Page 8

A "PLANT" CANCER.

•ROOT KNOT, CROWN GALL, HAIRT ROOT. In the 'annual -Teport of tho Orchards Division of the. Agricultural Department in 190 C- reference was made to the root knot which is found infesting many kinds of fruit trees. In Hie latest issue of tho I'Department's "Journal," Jlr. T. W. Kirk, head of tho'Orchards Division, draws attention to tho fact that very considerable quantities "of affected young trees, more particularly apples, have recently been distributed throughout New Zealand, tho trees having-been, at any rate for the most part, imported from Australia.. •It is maintained by some that apple trees do not seriously suffer from the presence of these tumours. Mr. Kirk says that, whilo affected trees may be found which aro apparently flourishing, it is by no means certain that they will continuo to. do so. On'tho. other hand, thore aro numerous instances of affected trees planted last season which havo not nindo anynew roots at all, and in many cases the | roots havo rotted back. Tho subject has : not yet beon studied for a sufficient period ! in this hemisphere, Mr. Kirk adds, to ' warrant anyone saying tho diseoso is not I serious. On tho contrary, present experij enco shows that at least under some conditions it is almost disastrous, While I some affected trees havo in New Zealand made good growth, others have done quito tho reverse. That somo nurserymen consider the diseaso injurious is shown by the fact' that numbers of recently importedl trees have had tho galls removed with n sharp knife and the wound rubbed vfith mud, to disguise the operation. The wisest course, pending the production of positive proof one way or tho other, says Mr. Is irk, is to reject all affected trees. . The cause of tho galls having been determined, steps have been taken to prevent tho importation of infected trees.

A WINNER OF COMPETITIONS. The Egg-laying competitions for 1010-11 and 1911-12 were ttoth. won by pens reared dn 'A. and P." Chick Raiser. Tho first essential for profitable poultry • keeping. ; i&tainaMo fxs>& fiU. StojfispEeu^Aorit