NOXIOUS WEEDS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 243, 11 October 1916, Page 11

NOXIOUS WEEDS.

WEATTKEY COST THE FARMER METHODS OF ERADICATION. The annual loss to Jarid-owners in Xe-w Zealand througli aieifs beiifg non-produc-ing on account of noxious weeds would tot up to a big figure. It is safe to ear that if all the country in the Dominion now lying waste under blackberries, furze," and other imported j pests had bera clea-red and under pas-' ture for the last ti.ro years when war prices have ruled for butter, meat, wool, and cheese., land-owners would have more than recouped the cost of eradicating the useless growth. Every acre lying waste under furze or blackberry •would, if cleared and put in grass, maintain one cow or five sh«ep. Farmers generally seem to have an idea that the eradication of noxious weeds should only be undertaken when there is noother pressing work to tie _ undertaken, and, as a farmer never is without work that.-requires doing, the eradication of noxious weeds is too frequently neg- j lected. with the result that, more and] more land has been lost for producing, purposes. The Government realised years ajro that land-owners should be compelled to get rid of noxious weeds, hence the passing of the 'Noxious Weeds Act and the' appointment of inspectore during the Premiership of the late E. J. Seddon. That Act was termed "inter-. ferenee -with a man's liberty." but it is i only those farmers who have kept their I ground- clean who realise the full importance and pecuniary profit of dealing systematically with noxious weeds. HOW TO ERADICATE WEEDS. ' The best method of dealing with noxious weeds was the subject of a chat between a reporter and the late secretary of the Farme*si-CrnK>n (Mr. A. Schmitt), whose duties in that office necessitated his travelling a good deal in the country- Mr. Schmitt said that he considered it very donbtful if continual cutting would finally kill blackberry. The first few cuttings certainly seemed to stimulate the growth of this pest. Apparently that method of dealing with blackberries gives the minimum result at the maximum cost. Where land can be ploughed, there Is no doubt that frequent use of the cultivator and harrows is the cheapest and most effective method of eradication. Grubbing and cutting is laborious, expensive, and ineffectual- This leaves -the question of graying to be considered, aid in this connection the-;factors to be taken into aceonnt "are cost, Jrifflfng properties, and combined effect on land and «tock. - -No Spray can be expected to reach roots or seeds lying clonnant in the ground, hence the need for -watchfulness after fhe original spraying. Gorse, it is daimed, can be more easily killed by spraying than are blackberries, aifliougi it taikes longer for'the effects to be seen. Briar and Canadian thistle can also lie killed by spraying, but the secret of success is constant watchfulness and systematic use of a suitable sway during the summer months.