A RAGWORT NURSERY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 39, 25 November 1937, Page 8

A RAGWORT NURSERY.

RESEARCH AT RUAKURA. SOME 3000 CAREFULLY TENDED PLANTS. ' On a, visit to the Ruakura l* arm, near Hamilton, early this month I saw one of the “sight'’’’ °t the Yt aikato a splendidly growing crop of ragwort. Neatly set out in large plots were some 3000-odd plants, carefully spaced 12 x 20in and kept “free of weeds.” Alongside was a fine bed of seedlings for replacement purposes. These, as will be seen later, are very necessary, says “H.A.5.,” in the “Dominion.”

The farm stall tell some amusing tales of flic puzzlement of visitors on first seeing this nursery, if they have not been previously warned. Most

visitors would readily recognise ragwort anywhere about the countryside, but when seeing it cultivated they do not believe their own eyes. Fortunately I knew beforehand or else I might havo been added to the list of victims of tho practical joke. However, this nursery of ono of our greatest pests has a very practical purpose. It is a testing ground for every enemy of ragwort that is known in New Zealand. Along some rows of plants ono sees numerous blanks which aro “kills” made by one or another of the treatments. There appeared to me to bo some three varieties or strains of ragwort represented. Mention was mado of tho fact that the most informative overseas literature had come from U.-S.A. In some of the States convolvulus, often in New Zealand termed belbvine, had caused great bother and chemical treatments had been largely developed for its eradication. Bngwort was also known as a menace. From the U.S.A. had come tho chemicals chieflly employed in New Zealand. At Bunkum, two full-time officials are studying ragwort eradication by chemical means. One is a botanist to study the plant itself and tlie other a chemist to study the chemicals used and their toxic effect. The workers are keen and enthusiastic, and so useful results may be expected. Any development that will make easier and more efficient the combating of ragwort are to ho heartily welcomed.