RAGWORT AS SHEEP FODDER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXI, Issue 6208, 2 March 1904, Page 2

RAGWORT AS SHEEP FODDER.

TO THE EDITOE,

Sir,—ln the Guardian and other newspapers of February 23rd, it was stated that a consignment of fat lambs had recently been sold in the Gore yards, which had been " fed almost entirely on ragwort." I know nothing of the quality or nature of the pastures on which the lambs were fed, but it seems to me regrettable to have such erroneous, statements appearing in the newspapers. Subjoined is an analysis of a plant of ragwort by Mr Gray, Agricultural Chemist at Lincoln College :— " Approximate analysis of the air-dried weed showed it to have the following composition :— Per cent. Water 12-05 Fibre « ... 18-17 S Nitrogenous substances ... 6 #12 i Carbo-hydrates, fat, etc. ... r>2-21 Ash 11.45 100-00

A comparison of the above with the analysis of coarse fodders show the weed to contain a smaller proportion of crude fibre, but a larger amount of ash constituents and carbo-hydrates, than those in ordinary use." Let no farmer, therefore, suppose that ragwort is a fodder plant for sheep. In addition to the peculiar and dangerous disease it causes to horses, the plant is almost valueless, and is a rapid destroyer of good land wherever it is permitted to spread freely. The Ashburton County is almost free from ragwort, and, let us hope, that farmers and pastoralists throughout the county will earnestly endeavour to keep it so.—l am, etc, W.W.S.