Infected Orchards.

Manawatu Herald, 25 July 1896, Page 2

Infected Orchards.

Last May the Government, very properly, had a conference of Aubtralasian fruitgrowers, in order that the opinions of men who have a specific) knowledge of the subject might be beneficial to the colony. It is curious, however, to notice that the question nearly every New Zealand delegate dwelt upon, that of legislation to force infeoted orchards being cleaned, or its trees destroyed, has not* been taken the least notice of by Ministers. The Minister for Agriculture cannot excuse this indifference by the 'plea that there is already legislation on the subject, for though it exists in name it is perfectly useless. The colony, with perhaps a very few exceptions, is infested with the codlin moth, and to use the proceedure under the existing law is merely handicapping the district which enforces it, without reducing the evil one iota. A district might be clean one day, and the next, by the introduction of infeoted apple cases, or trees, become infected again. One representative at the conference said there was a heroic way of cleaning the colony by destroying all the apples grown in one year, but of course he did not recommend it. Whilst this would be an extremely expensive step, there are means which could easily be enforced which would not be so, and it is the need of an Act compelling Buch steps being taken which is so much wanted. Every orchardist should be compelled to adopt the steps, ordered by an inspector, to kill the codlin moth and other pests, in much the same manner as every sheep owner is bound to dip his sheep. Most owners of fair sized orchards would hail the order with pleasure, but their endeavours to keep their trees clean are impeded by the owners of a few trees, who care littla what becomes of them, except they will not destroy them. We trust that before this session closes the Government will yet pass a short Act that will give effect to the recommendations of the persons they summoned to advise them. We could produce many very strong assertions made by these delegates did we think it necessary, but the Department for Agriculture has printed and published the report so that the Minister cannot plead ignorance of its proceedings.