FRUIT GROWING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2462, 29 March 1909, Page 5

FRUIT GROWING.

COMBATING ORCHARD PESTS.

During last year Mr. W. A. Boucher, Government Pomologist, and Mr. W. Jacques, _ Government- canning expert j visited Gisborne with a view to stimulating the fruit growing industry. Both gentlemen pointed out that the Poverty Bay district was especially favorable for fruit growing, and through the press and by pamphlet sought to impress upon orohardists the necessity of cop ing with fruit pests. Inspector Eastof was sent- to Gisborne in July last h inspect the orchards of the district and in a number of cases found tka' insufficient means had been takn _ ti comply with Departmental regulation to keep down codlin moth and musse scale, and as a result of his report tj the Agricultural Department a numbe' of informations were issued at the re quest of Mr. W. A. Boucher on Sat urday against the alleged offenders and these cases, the first in the district have been set down for hearing befor Mr. W. A. Barton, S.M., on Tuesday April 6th. In speaking to a “Times” reports on the question. Mr. Bcuclier said tha it was not difficult to cope with oi chard pests if united action ws taken by all fruit growers, but it was a most useless for one orchard.ist to ippi preventitives if his next-door neighbc did nothing. The pests could be he] down by spraying with a mixture < lime, salt, and sulphur for muss scale, and Swift’s arseniate of lead f< codliu moth. The spray should be fr quently applied at first, but could 1 used less frequently as the pests trei got under. “The Department does r>i wish to be too arbitrary .with growers, said Mr. Boucher, “and the cases _a ; only being taken to Court after soui advice and ample warning. Time'aft time the people have been told what 1 do, and what do we find? simply , our next visit that no action has be; taken.” Prosecutions had taken pla in several districts, Mr. BouoSer sai but the people did not complain, l cause they had been given ample wax ing.”