OTAHUHU FRUIT-GROWERS' AS SOCIATION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3083, 19 April 1892, Page 2

OTAHUHU FRUIT-GROWERS' AS SOCIATION.

At a meeting of the 0 •Vihn Frmt-er.iwors Association almost tins only subject discussed was that of the coolin moth pest. In reply to a communication from this A»finciatixr., the Victorian Department ~f Agriculture had sint n " Handbook of the Destructive Insects of Victoria, with notes on methods to be adopted to check and extirpate them " The hund-bnnk h prepaid bv order of the Victorian Department of Agriculture, by C. Frnnch, F.L.b., Government Etymologist, Melbourne. It contains about 200 p.iEC-, w "81l <!"* up and profusely and beautifully illustrated It will be circulated amongst the members of tho Association, The insect pests nf Victoria appear to be even mora numerous than those of New Zealand, nut I lie codlin moth is not so destructive ns in this country. Some of the nrchnrdists who have taken a grent amount of trouble this snaaon have suffered more than others who have done next to nothing. The outcome of the discussion was the adoption of the two following resolutions :—lt was moved by Mr Hutton, and seconded by Mr Udy, " That the secretary write to the Acclimatisation Society and request them to take steps to introduce more insect-eating bird*, and suggesting_ that among other birds the nightjars, » wallows, and flycatchers be introduced. M<rUdy moved, and Mr Sturgeas seconded, lhat this Association is of opinion that the best way to successfully cope with the codlin moth is for the Government to offer a substantial prize, of at least £5000, to any person who shall succeed in keeping orchards free from this pest for three years. Mr Udy in moving thif) resolution, urgrd its importance. It was not without precedent, as a substantial prize for the extirpation of rust in wheat had been offered by the South Australian Government. He did not pmpose that the prize-money should be taken from the consolidated revenue, but it could be raised by a email tax on tho fruit trees of the colony. Hβ considered that if a large reward were offered, chemists and scientists throughout the world would compete ; and, in all probability, an effectual and lasting remedy would be the result It was impossible to over-estimate the importance of the fruit industry of this colony. The motion wai carried unanimously. It was further resolved, " That the secretary send a copy of the foreeoine resolution t* the Minister of Lands, and that Messrs Lippiatt. Udy and Hutton be a committee to draft a statement of detail to be submitted to the Government in furtherance of this resolution " The secretary wr.s also requested to write at once to the Colonial Secretary, asking that the alteration, recommended at a previous meeting of the Association, in bills of landing for fruit export be made as soon as possible.