§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked whether the Board of Agriculture's attention has been called to the serious increase in the infestation of apple trees by American blight, particularly in the West and South of England, and the consequent prevalence of canker even among newly-planted trees; and whether the Board will take steps to prevent owners and occupiers of infested orchards and gardens from inflicting injury and loss upon their neighbours, by compelling them to cut down and burn all infested trees which, after due warning, have not been effectively treated with a view to the removal of this wind-carried pest?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThe Board are aware of the prevalence of this pest throughout Great Britain, and a leaflet on the subject has been widely distributed. I shall be happy to send the hon. Member a copy of it, together with two other leaflets dealing with the case of orchards. The Board hope that the spread of education among fruit growers and the facilities for washing fruit trees now available will result in a diminution of the various pests affecting neglected orchards without recourse being necessary to the extreme measures of coercion suggested, which the Board are not at present prepared to adopt.
§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is just those who do not read those leaflets which come from the Board of Agriculture who are the greatest sinners in this matter and are causing the pest to spread to the orchards of their neighbours?