DISEASE IN FLAX SWAMPS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1787, 9 February 1918, Page 3

DISEASE IN FLAX SWAMPS.

SERIOUS DAMAGE DONE,

Yesterday afternoon our representative was shown over that portion of the Riverdale Estate from which the Tane mill has been drawing its supply of green leaf, and in ‘which a blight or fungoid growth has made its appearance in the flax, with disastrous results. Practically the whole flax area on the Riverdale Estate, which also includes the area from which the Opui mill is drawing its supplies of green leaf, comprising, roughly, 3,000 acres, is affected to a greater or lesser degree. The first sign of the disease is the discolouring of two blades, one each on opposite sides of the plant. These leaves go from the natural green to a yellow colour, and gradually wither and die down, and the balance of the plant is affected in a similar manner. -When the plant shows signs of infection it can be pulled out of the ground without any trouble, and it is then that the effects of the disease are most apparent. The root, when in a healthy condition, sends long" yellowish-coloured suckers into the earth, through which the plant is nourished, but these suckers in a badly diseased plant, are black and practically rotten, with the result that the plant can get no nourishment, and dies, A very large number of bushes, estimated in some portions of the area to be fully 33 per cent., have died out altogether, but in others, which, from the appearance of the top, are very badly affected, on pulling the plant out of the ground, some young suckers are noticeable growing out of what otherwise appears to be a dead root. Up to the present there has not been time to make observations of plants in this condition in order to ascertain if same will recover altogether from (he effects of the disease, but; from the appearance it ■ seems probable that such plants will recover, but, of course, how long such recovery will take, and wiien the flax will again be lit for milling, is indeed impossible to estimate. All kinds of theories as to the cause of the disease are being put, forward, too chief among them being that the swamp has been overdrained, and is now too dry for the requirements of the flax plants. However, one has only to go over the swamp to prove this theory erroneous, as the effects of the disease are as much noticeable, and possibly more so, in the wet ground as in the dry. Inspections were made yesterday of diseased plants in dry, damp, and wet ground, and the appearances in all ('uses were the same, so that whatever the cause of the disease, it certainly cannot be put down to overdraining the swamp. Portion of the area inspected yesterday had been cut over during the past twelve months, and the disease has made its appearance, yellow, withered leaves being noticeable, in another block, which was cut two years ago, and which cut out from 25 to 30 tons to the acre, the plants are badly affected, a large number have died out altogether, and those that are growing are badly affected with the disease, and the growth, is stunted.. In the ordinary course, this flax would be ready for milling in from twelve to eighteen months’ time, but on account of the disease it is now very difficult to state when, if ever, it will be fit to cut. A large area of well grown four-year-old flax, and which was being cut a month or two ago, has had to be abandoned, as the majority of the leaves on the plants have withered and died down. As far as this flax is concerned, this year’s crop will be entirely lost*,, There is an area over which a fire swept about four years ago that would in the ordinary course be ready for cutting during the early part of next season, but in this the disease is also apparent, but should it get no worse, it will be lit for milling then. Taken all through, the position is indeed serious, as many thousands of tons of leaf have been spoiled. For some years past anything from 12.000 to 15,000 tons of leaf has been cut from the Riverdale Estate every year, and had (here been no disease that quantity would have been milled during the next twelve months. From present appearances it seems that these drawing their .supplies from the Estate will be fortunate if they are able to get from 2.000 to 3,000 tons by this time next year, so it will be readily seen what a very seriou- loss has already been caused. During the past three years a very largo sum has been expended in erecting two up-to-date fourstripper mills (the Tane and the Opui), together with accommodation for the employees, and the river has been bridged at Ihe Tane at a cost of some £3,000, the total expenditure being’ well over £20,000. Dr. Cockayne, the Government •expert, is at present making investigations, and it is to be hoped that 'his efforts will be successful in overcoming the disease, which it is feared will otherwise spread to the adjoining areas.