Fruit-tree and Fruit-pests.

Manawatu Herald, 20 February 1892, Page 2

Fruit-tree and Fruit-pests.

♦ We are inclined to the opinion that orchardists have not been acting in their own interests in the methods adopted for getting rid of insect pests^and that they have beeq hitherto ignoring the valuable aidrendered them by insect parasites, which are kknown to prey upon the worst of our orchard enemies. It may be, and very probably is, a fact that the poisonous materials used for spraying have had the effect of destroying our triends, while it seems to have very little effect upon our foes. This season we have noticed thousands of ladybirds' fe&sting on green-fly and on the American bligbt, clearing them completely from the trees. Unhappily these beautiful little lady-birds, with their

light red wing-cases spotted with* black are conspicuous object* for birds. We have, been informed ttoafc. the lady bird has been observe* freely upon the scale. We are gradually coming to the conclusion that orchardists will have to make up their minds to the fact that if red spider, scale and American bligßY are to be eradicated they onust resort j» winter scraping and painting, antf-leave the work of destruction to the natural enemies of our fruit tree pests' who will do the summer cleaning. We throw out these suggestions for the consideration of orchardists and , others. The fruit growers of Tasmania are asking for the services of qualified entomologist who would thoroughly investigate" such matters. We feel sure that such an officer would find ample employment in New Zealand to keep him constantly employed. The Victorian and New South Wales growers have each such an officer, who is doing good work judging from their records published trom time to time. — Pre*».