PHYLLOXERA PEST.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 439, 22 January 1890, Page 5

PHYLLOXERA PEST.

REPORT TO THE GOVERNMENT. The following i 3 the report of Mr Maskell: •* p gee no reason to doubt that these, as Mr Cheeseman says, are true Phylloxera vadairix. The roots submitted to me and the earth containing them are full of insects in that stage of their existence prior to their emerging as the winged form.. They aie very numerous. I counted 33 on a portion of a root an inch long. They are, as far aB I can see, in three stages of growth:—(l) The pseudo-egg; (2) the root living * larva (3) the same further developed, or the ‘foundress’ stage, from which 'they emerge in a few weeks. No leaves were sent to me. I have not seen any of the true male and female, but these are excessively minute and seemingly uncommon, and probably there may be none in the parcel. I venture to recommend that the severest possible remedy should be applied to the district round Auckland, and that remedy is the total destruction of every vine in'the town and suburbs, ft is true that in the papers forwarded to me I only see mention of two vineries infected, but the following facts must be bone in mind:—(l) The existence of phylloxera was reported in 1885 in the Remuera district. (2) Mr Scott states that he procured his vines (for a vinery at Mount E len) four vears from one of the local nurseries ; it is not likely that his were the only vines so bought. (3) The propagation of the pest is largely due to the emergence of the winged forms from the subterranean larva;, such as those in the parcel submitted to us. (4) This parcel, as I understand from Mr Scott s letter of 23rd December, was taken from borders outside bis vinery ; the vines inside had been destroyed, but the roots outside were left. 5. Experience in Australia is, I understand from one of the leading vinegrowers in that colony, who visited Wellington a few months ago, that nothing but total destruction of every root found in the ground can be efficacious, and that often the infected roots have to be traced several yards away, and several feet deep in the ground before any security can be felt. On the foregoing grounds, amongst others. I have no hesitation in saying that nothing short of thorough destruction of all vines in . the whole district of Auckland and suburbs will be sufficient. Winged forms emerge, as I understand, in the Northern Aemisphere in late summer and early autumn. What their period in Australia is I cannot say, but probably February and March here would correspond to Juiy and August in France and America. What is to be done ought, therefore, to be done speedily. I should further suggest that the men employed in the necessary works should wear clothes specially kept for the purpose, and change them every day before going to other work ; that these clothes, and especially boots, as well as (particularly) all tools employed should be rigorously destroyed as soon as the work is done. The borders at Mr Scott’s vinery and those at Mr Bridgman’s, ought to be taken in hand without delay. ffhey should, if possible, be thoioughly dug up till the last root fibre is got at, and if it can be managed both roots and earth burnt. . But unless every other vine in the discrict is similarly treated, the work will be only half done, and half measures now may result in a year or two in so establishing the pest as to entirely ruin vine-growing in all New Zealand.”