BLACKBERRY PEST.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1928, Page 4

BLACKBERRY PEST.

SATVitAI, KNK.UY DISC OYKIt KIX ,liy Telegraph—l’er Press Association.) NELSON', Jan. 12. From time to time, during the prog.ess of tbe investigations into tbe problem of blackberry control, which are being earned on under lJr Tillyurd, and Jl,’- Tonnoir, at the ( awthron Iliologieal Control Station, reports are received ol more or less extensive dam-

age being done by insects or other organisms such ns fungi, in various parts of New Zealand. These are all carefully investigated, but most ol them turn out to be disappointing. Decently, however. -Mr Ale Gibbs, ol Tapawera. drew the Institute’s attention to the destruction of a large area of blackberry in bis district, and sent specimens of it. which were found to be badly affected by a combination of the large vine scale, and an unknown fungal or bacterial organisation. Tbe bitter lias not yet been determined, owing to tbe absence of Dr K. Al. Curtis from Nelson on vacation.

A visit was paid by Mr Tonnoir to the infected area recently, and it was found that very extensive damage was being done over a considerable area. The infection being confined to an isolated valley, it is not likely to spread much. Naturally, a plentiful supply of infected specimens has been brought back to Nelson, and tests will be arranged on tbe blackberry under varying conditions of growth, in order to discover how far a combination of insect and fungus is likely to be successful. Those in charge of the specimens state that tbe public should not expect too much. It may well be, that as in the case of other organisms already present in New Zealand, these new enemies of blackberry will only work successfully under very special conditions, and that they cannot, therefore, be utilised to any large extent in the work of eradication. This notification is only given in order that those interested may know that no effort is being spared to find a solution of this pressing problem.