THE CALIFORNIAN THISTLE.

Press, Volume XLIV, Issue 6941, 22 December 1887, Page 6

THE CALIFORNIAN THISTLE.

to the Editor of the press. Sir, —In a recent issue of the Press a correspondent draws attention to the introduction of pests of various kinds by the Acclimatisation Society, with the , sanction of the Government; and he goes on to argue that Government should now assist in ridding the country of these pests—notably the Californian thistle. It is not my intention to enter into the general question of pests, but rather to confine myself to what bids fair to become a very serious trouble to farmers in the near future if vigorous measures are* not promptly taken to prevent its spread. I refer to the so-called Caliiornian thistle. Acting on the instructions of my Committee, I have taken some trouble to ascertain accurately to what extent the plant has established itself in this district, and I regret to have to report that it is more general thanT had any idea of, as may be infiexred from the fact that it is to be found at the following places, viz.:—Longbeacb, Ashburton, Springston, Temuka, Spreydon, Riccarton, Merivale, Kaiapoi Island, near Chaney's Corner, and at Harewood road, where there is a patch of five acres growing in a sixteen acre paddock, now farmed by Mr Stanley. This paddock was in wheat last year. The five acres of infested land produced 118 bushels, or equal to twentythree bushels per acre, while the balance of the paddock of precisely similar soil | yielded fifty-six bushels per acre. Donbtlcss further investigation would reveal the fact of its presence in other districts. It is . idle to speak lightly of this weed, as some who are not familiar with its character are wont to do. we have only to L quire as to what it has done in Canada, in California, and, coming nearer home, in Tasmania. And what it has done in those countries it will most assuredly repeat in New Zealand, probably, with intensified vigor. Now, sir, as T am about to visit Australia and New South Wales, I should like to offer a word of advice before leaving to those who have this hated thistle growing on their lands; and that is to see that not a single plant is allowed to liower. I would let it alone till it begins to bloom and then mow it close to the i ground, salt the patch and cover three or I four feet deep with litter or muck of any I kind, and keep a watch that it does not, find its way up round the edges, or even through the covering, as it has been known to do. Another plan is to keep the patch of infested ground soft and as often as the plants appear cut them over. This plan, to be successful, must be persevered in for at least two years. Another plan, when the thistle has spread (as it has at the Harewood road habitat and near Chaney's corner) is to keep the land under green crops in drills for two or three seasons, not allowing a single* plant to develop leaves. There i*j a large patch growing at Governor's Bay on the road- I side and at the head of Merivale lane, and doubtless it may be found in other waste places. These places will supply seed sufficient to stock the suirounding districts if net attended to by the several Road Boards. If farmers and others will only adopt vigorous measures there should be no need tor Government intervention, but failing to do so, the matter will have to be taken iii hand by

would like to add that T B ' An d I arrangements for a fresh sunnh If J**** specimens of whiclj will fc L« f - p , lw,ts . cost on receipt of a post-card for wl"* of In conclusion, a farmer at P? - couple of years ago, purchased^LT^ n * hay for his stock. It was * d °* m iddle of a paddock. The in th e The mfcS isoKS M. MrnptiY, Secretary Canterbury Agricultural