FIRE OR TWIG PLIGHT

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1921, Page 4

FIRE OR TWIG PLIGHT

AUCKLAND ORCHARD PEST. AUCKLAND, Fob. 23 . Doubt ns to the correctness of the diagnosis of the fruit tree pest which lias been described as lire blight, is raised in an article in the “Herald” by Mr F. R. Field, F.IUI.S. He suggests that the much-discussed blight may lie only twig blight, a much minor t rouble.

At first, lie says, the appearances of the disease were diagnostic of lire blight. Developments pointed more and more strongly to a less serious malady, twig blight, which may be either a pest of very recent introduction, or, seeing that it characteristically varies very considerably indeed in its manifestation from year to year, it may lie merely that though long established in this country its remarkable prevalence this season has now forced it upon our notice for the first time, and it may he that it all is merely a result of the abnormal state of the atmosphere. Certainly we had an extraordinary winter, and a still more unseasonable spring. Pear trees which took the blight upon its first appearance, and received no prompt attention, are now looking quite healthy and bearing crops of fruit. This is entirely opposed to what we read about fire blight. Apple trees, too, that showed the blight unmistakably and received no attention whatever, have remained thoroughly vigorous. All this indicates twig blight, and if this diagnosis is correct, then in all probability the trees that suffered most this season will bear heavier crops next year, and (as with man and measles) continue more or less immune for years to come. Mr Field says there is fairly strong evidence that the present pest .has been noticed, though to a lesser extent, in the Auckland district for some" few years back, without any appreciable injury to the trees or crops resulting. Indeed, one grower avers that it was in the district 30 years ago. Any such irregular appearance and non-appear-ance would ho consistent with the intermittent habit of twig blight.