WHEAT MILDEW.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2384, 28 December 1908, Page 4

WHEAT MILDEW.

CROPS AFFECTED IN TIMARU. ("Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 27. Wheat mildew, was recently, detected in a crop in. the Timaru district and a specimen was forwarded to Mr S. W. Kirk, Government Biologist, who declared it to be wheat mildew. 'Sir Kirk states that it is often responsible for considerable loss in cereal crops, and is often abundant in cultivated grasses. It is generally worst in crops that have been thickly sown, and under such conditions might prove disastrous to the crop. The disease winters over in the straw .from an affected crop, consequently the destruction of the straw after harvest is one of the best means of preventing the disease the following year. The most effective way is t-o°spread the straw over the stubble, so as to burn all the affected portions of the plants and the ground should then be ploughed as soon as possible. Up to the present wheat mildew has not been so destructive in the Dominion as it has been in some parts of Europe. The crop in tlie Timaru district in which it was detected was only slightly . affected, but it was considered desirable to have the matter investigated and steps taken to prevent- the possible s2iread of the disease.