FIREBLIGHT

Evening Star, Issue 19659, 12 September 1927, Page 5

FIREBLIGHT

FARMERS* PLEA FOR REDOES t Special to tbb ‘Stab.’] WELLINGTON, September 12. Recently the New Zealand Farmers Union approached the Minister of Agriculture m the matter of tho Fireblight Act, asking that consideration should be given to farmers in infected areas who are owners of hawthorn hedges. It was stated by tho union that the fanner was hard pressed already, without having to remove those hedges, which were invaluable lor shelter, and acted as fences in Hooded areas. It was asked that tho farmers should bo allowed to cut all hedges high and keep them trimmed, and that, tailing this, tho farmer should bo allowed compensation. , r .'.. In a statement to-day the Minister says that it is considered that the State cannot assume responsibility for compensation. However, the cutting back of hedges in place of their eradication is now accepted in areas where the treatment is held to bo sufficient safeguard; but in circumstances where the disease is liable to have infected any of tho plants thc_ hedge below the height at which it will bo lopped, topping would be useless, and one plant would result in tho infection or practically the whole district in the proper season. Tho complete destruction ot hedges will bo called for only after tbo disease has made its appearance in a fruit area, and then rarely tliiongliout tho whole area, but only in those sections where it has advanced to a dangerous degree, and is likely to do considerable damage. Hie department will take action only when absolutely necessarv; but farmers in general within the declared fruit areas wi 1 bo well advised if they take advanced action in the direction of cutting anti trimming their hedges annually pnoi to the disease making its appearance. Jf this is done, it will not only lessen the possibility of tho disease entering tho district, but will probably result in the saving of the hedges in the event of the disease making an appearance.