FIREBLIGHT IN MANAWATU.

Shannon News, 11 March 1927, Page 4

FIREBLIGHT IN MANAWATU.

FRUITGROWERS SEEK FARMERS' HELP.

HAWTHORN THE HOST..

A deputation from the Manawatu Fruitgrowers' Association waited on the meeting of the Farmers' Union at Palmerston with a view to seeking the support of the. union in the declaration of a five mile commercial area surrounding Palmerston North, with a view to curtailing the activities of fireblight, which had broken out in a marked degree in the Manawatu. In addressing the meeting, Mr. F. T. Conway said that an inspection had revealed that the disease had been present in the district for some time past, it being especially bad on one property on Rangitikei Line. Such a condition of affairs was presenting a menace to fruitgrowers, and it was intended to request the Government to declare Palmerston North over a radius of five miles a commercial area. Such a declaration would, explained the speaker, entail some measure of loss to the farmers who possessel hawthorn hedges on their properties, but fruitgrowers out- • side that radius would likewise be sufferers, for they would be menaced by the hawthorn and not protected by the Government. The fireblight had been found principally on Rangitikei Line, but there were also other cases scattered throughout the district, and so long as the hawthorn fences remained the . danger would not only exist, but increase. The suggested radius, which it was hoped to have declared a commercial radius, ran along Eahgitikei Line to No. 4 Line, along Foxton Line to the neighbourhood of Karere, along the "Wellington road to the Kahuterawa birdge and taking in Bunnythorpe on the north.

In outlining the deadly activities oi fireblight, the speaker mentioned that the disease attacked pear trees, more particularly than apple trees. Unfortunately in the case of the hawthorn, the presence of fireblight merely temporarily killed it, whereas the fruit trees suffered to a greater degree. The blight travelled down the branch only to break out at a crack and the ooze therefrom was attractive to the bees who carried such —which was impregnated with bacteria—further afield in the course of their ordinary work. Orchardists could control it to a certain extent by the cutting out of the branch affected, the swabbing out of the wound with formalin and the burning of the branch, but the presence of the hawthorn in the immediate neighbourhood would make the task an impossible one. Pear trees w«re killed outright, but in the case of apples the fruit burst was destroyed. A continuation of such a condition of affairs would kill the fruit-growing industry locally and an area of some 200 acres returning approximately £16,000 to the industry would be rendered useless. It was preferable, maintained the speaker, that such an expenditure by the purchasing public be kept in the district than go afield, but to do so it was essential that the hawthorn fences go. ■Messrs G. Lyne and H. Mayo also spoke in support, the former mentioning that while there was plenty of hawthorn outside the suggested area, they merely asked for that commercial area in a position to maintain the industry which would otherwise be impossible. Further, that it was essential that action be taken before next blossom season. A general discussion ensued, Mr. : Maul-/bringing it-to a close by moving % 4 ttiat : lend its'.support in the ;; Mr.

Maul stated that he had first thought that the request was something in the nature of a combine, but as the declaration of a commercial area would not prevent outside growers selling their fruit and assist local growers in their livelihood he did not hesitate to support the request for after all hawthorn fences were not very popular in the district.

Mr. Gloyn seconded the motion, and when put to the meeting, it was carried unanimously. Before retiring, Mr. Conway took the opportunity to thank the meeting for the favourable hearing they had accorded the deputation.