LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 594, 21 December 1920, Page 2

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

THE ORPHANS' CHRISTMAS.

Sir,—l would esteem it a favour if, through your columns, you Would permit an appeal for Christmas Cheer for the eighty orphan children who have found a home under the care of Rev. F. R. Jeffreys, of Auckland. ,Ak announced from the pulpit on Sunday, donations in cash or in kind will be gratefully received on behalf of this most deserving cause... Anything in the shape of eatables or of produce will He very acceptable. Would these who wish to forward produce ■ jkindly. send it in before Thursday to the office of Mr. J. T. Slembridge/.from which it "will be sent oiti to Auckland? Potatoes, eggs, butter, fowls, cakes, Vegetables are all acceptable gifts for orphan "boys and girls £t this festive season. • S. NIXON.

,"The Miuisc,"'...Kikekohe, December 20, 1920

FIRE BLIGHT,

. Sir,- 1 note that Mr. Bryden,- in a letter to the "Herald" on fire blight, said.that trees, have been condemned which were affected, 'not by, fire blight, but by the recent gaits. If this is the case, then the inspector who condemned the trees proves himself a brainless novice. A child can realise that the side of a tree to examine for fire blight is that side unexposed to the cold wind. I have seen miles of hawthorn hedges scorched on the windward side, so as to render it quite impossible to\ distinguish the disease by a casual inspection, but when withered twigs and dead leaves and blossom are discovered on the sheltered side of a hedge, one may be almost certain of having found the fire blight, without testing for the bacteria-spreading ooze. Pear trees which/are entirely* sheltered from evejj* cold wind and which are healths in other ways are seriously affectip by this supposed wind-burn. - Tp&se instan'ees-sjrSuld enable anyone to readily' distinguish fire blight .from the scorching effect of the wind. Afc-yeur correspondent points .outjjfire blight is n<v-to this he should remember that "our experts have the benefit of the of-American friiitgroweridu/irtg the ]«W4O years. In AmMflPrthis disease has made it imposJrole to pip fruits in .certain districts, "so' thattMr.- Bryden need jjot doubt its ability to completely KHill.a trees*»He is right when he says that the average >■ person knows very little about the.j.'disease, but_,this should be remedied, by the pfropbsed publicity campaign to be conducted bv the Horticultural Department.' * " . M. A. CRUICKSHANK, Tuakau. +'■ * ,