NOXIOUS WEEDS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19311, 16 May 1928, Page 4

NOXIOUS WEEDS.

CONTROL WORK PROCEEDS. [THE PRESS Special Serried.] WELLINGTON, May 15. Noxious weeds control work now has been placed on a sound basis at the Cawthron Institute, the new insectaries and laboratory being fully utilised, according to a report received by the secretary of the New Zealand Farmers' Union from the Department of Scientific Research. ' "Success," states the report, "has been attained in regard to a moth which vigorously attacks ragwort, and a partial anthority for its release has been recommended. The committee in charge has deemed it wise to act along extremely conservative lines before recommending an open permit for the general release of this insect. The committee anticipates, however, that this ragwort motli will be released next spring in ragwort infested areas, and care now is being taken to ensure that a good supply of pupae will winter over so as to ensure a plentiful supply of moths next season.

"The bad seasons prevalent last year in the Northern Hemisphere seriously interrupted supplies of useful parasitic insects, particularly those of blackberry and gorse, and in consequence unavoidable delay has occurred in the progress of this work. However, supplies are now coming to hand, and in future more reliance will be placed upon Southern Europe, where climatic vagaries are not so pronounced."