FIREBLIGHT.

Wairarapa Age, 23 February 1927, Page 5

FIREBLIGHT.

APPEARS IN LOCAL ORCHARD. A SERIOUS MENACE. Within the last few days, a case of fireblight has been discovered in a Masterton orchard. It is stated that the pear tree on which the disease has appeared is badly affected. Mr. J. D. Whelan, Government Orchard Instructor, came to Masterton in connection with the matter yesterday, and the question of precautionary measures is now receiving attention. A deputation from the Wairarapa Fruit growers’ Association is to discuss tho position with the Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union to-morrow. The outbreak of fireblight is, of course, a very serious matter. The immediate menace is to the small orchards numbering something like a thousand, which exist in the Borough of Masterton err in its near vicinity. I’ortunatplv fireblight is dormant at this time of the year, though it can 1x» definitely identified. The active period in whir: fireblight spreads ‘is the carlv spring. Time is thus given to take preventive measures and set such limits as arpossible t> the spread and ravages locally of this dreaded pest. Hawthorn trees and hedg. s. which have a bad reputation as hosts of finblight and other blights, are not numerous in Masterton nor in other parts of the Wairarapa.