Volume 74 Item 10: Sir William Macarthur papers relating to vine diseases, 1855?, 1885-1888: No. 43

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9

1885–6.
––––
NEW SOUTH WALES.
Legislative Council.

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MINUTES OF EVIDENCE

TAKEN BEFORE

THE SELECT COMMITTEE 

ON 

VINE DISEASES BILL.

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FRIDAY, 3 SEPTEMBER, 1886.
Present: ––
Mr. SUTTOR IN THE CHAIR.
Mr. G. H. COX,        |        Mr. KING,
Mr. HILL,                   |        Mr. SMITH,
Mr. NORTON.
Thomas Hardy, Esq., examined:––
T. Hardy, Esq. } 3 Sept., 1886.

1. Chairman.] You are a vine grower in South Australia?     Yes ; I am also a member of the Commission in Victoria on the phylloxera.
2. Is vine-growing largely carried on in South Australia?     Pretty largely. 
3. Is phylloxera known there at all?     No. 
4. You know that the disease has broken out in New South Wales and is confined within a small area. Have you read the Bill now before Parliament to deal with it?     Yes.
5. Mr. King.] You know the disease itself?     Yes, I have been intimately acquainted with it in Victoria. I visited the Geelong vineyards just after the disease had broken out there, and ever since then I have taken considerable interest in the question, and have frequently visited the Geelong vineyards from time to time up to the present time.
6. Mr. Hill.] What attempts have been made to eradicate this disease in Geelong?     The vines have all been dug up over a large area of country––something like 30 miles of country.
7. Were you one of the first to observe the disease in the Geelong district?     I went there at first on my account, and afterwards I was sent there by the Government.
8. Will you state to the Committee what state you found the vines in when they were attacked by this disease?     I saw many vineyards that were attacked in Geelong before they were grubbed up. The presence of the phylloxera could always be known by the appearance of the vines. It always appeared in patches ; a patch here and a patch there.
9. What are the symptoms?     The symptoms could always be seen at a distance, the leaf turning yellow and no growth making.      That was a sure sign.
10. What was done?      When we went to inspect the vines they were dug up and examined at the root, when the insect was seen.
11. You did not come into contact with the insect until the vines were dug up?     No.
12. Did you on any occasion see the insect on the upper part of the vine?     No, never once ; and I do not know of any one who ever did see it in the Colonies.
13. Were the insects in large numbers?     Yes, in large numbers, in batches on the roots.
14. Can you describe the appearance of the roots after being attacked by the insects?     If you looked at a piece of root with phylloxera on it you would think some one had been applying mustard over it at first sight.
15. And when you touched it what then, was it rotten?     No.     The insect is so minute that you would crush it the same as you would a little mustard. 
16. Were you compelled to use the microscope to find the insects, or could you see it with the naked eye? Those accustomed to it could detect it with the naked eye.

17. Do you know of any curative means having been resorted to?     I have had the opportunity of seeing what was done in France.                                                                                                                                                                           18.

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