Fruit growers in the Birkenhead, Northcote, Birkdale, Mayfield and Albany districts are disgusted to see that this bill is again before Parliament. Each session during the past eight years this bill has been brought forward and has been strongly opposed by the fruitgrowers of Auckland Province and has been withdrawn. This threatened legislation has been the cause of thousands of apple trees being cut down, and has prevented many acres of apple trees being planted. Three years ago the orchardists of Birkenhead noticed a decrease of the codlin moth, and again last year, and this year, and are quite sure that some natural enemy of the moth is at work and that compulsory spraying with Paris green would do more harm than good, by destroying the natural enemy of the moth. There is every reason to believe that the agitation in favour of this bill comes from Southern orchardists, who wish to shut out Auckland fruit from the Southern markets, and this bill if passed would do so, for no grower, no matter how careful would be sure that when his fruit arrived at, say, Dunedin, a few of the apples, quiences, or pears might be slightly infected, with the result that the whole of the consignment would be condemned. It is manifestly absurd that American blight should be included in the schedule of the bill as a disease for it is incurable, but can be kept down by dressing the trees with whale oil. Even this treatment is not necessary in this district, for each winter small birds quite clear the trees from blight, although it will reappear in the summer.

At a recent meeting of the Birkenhead and Northcote Fruitgrowers Association, a strong resolution was passed against the proposed bill, and a petition opposing it is being largely signed. The Albany Frutgrowers Association and the Auckland Fruitgrowers Union are also taking action. M E. W. Allson, M.H.R has promised to strongly oppose the Act and believes he will have the support of all the Auckland members

ORCHARD PLANTING

Not a great deal has been done this season in the Birkenhead and surrounding districts in orchard planting. What trees have been planted are chiefly peaches and plums. Very few apples or pear trees have been planted, as growers are afraid to plant owing to the threatened legislation, In the shape of the Orchard and Garden Pest Bill. The supply of fruit trees by nurserymen in the Auckland Auction marts have far exceeding the demand, and well grown peach trees have recently been sold as low as twopence each.

THE STRAWBERRY CROP

The area of land planted with strawberries in the Birkenhead, Northcote and surrounding districts is not so much as last season. The chief reason for this is that some growers are discouraged owing to last season being the worst on record. One new grower at Birkdale did not realise sufficient to pay for the manure and plants and he promptly abandoned his land. The prospects for the coming season may be considered good; the weather during planting was good, and the plants planted in May and June are growing nicely. The old Strawberry beds are now in full bloom in sheltered situations. Some Growers are now top dressing. It is a mistake to top dress with green bone dust; a quick acting manure, like bone dust and blood is far better.