DISEASE IN FLAX.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2104, 18 March 1920, Page 3

DISEASE IN FLAX.

DECENT HCOUHGE DYING OUT. LEAF IN HEALTHY CONDITION. OL‘ late years flaxmillets in the Alaliawatu have been considerably exercised over a disease which had made its appearance in the swamps and was having a deleterious ell eel on the green leaf. So serious became the ravages of “yellow leaf," as the scourge became popularly known, that specimens of the affected flax were examined by officers of the'Agricultural Department with a view to determining the nature and origin of the pest. The matter was referred to by a Palmerston Standard represent alive during the course of a conversation with a well known liaxmiller. The gentleman concerned stated that the disease, though so serious a few months back, was now practically non-existent. It seemed to have died out of its own accord, either attacked by a natural enemy, or the leaf had become strong enough to resist the disease and had, therefore, gained immunity. Whatever had brought -about this Mate of affairs was not clearly precise, hut the fact remains that there is not now a fraction of the destruction previously wrought in the swamps. “The leaf is looking healthier this season- than for several yours past " was a statement also made to .the reporter, ■ j