THE PRICKLY PEAR

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23447, 30 September 1941, Page 3

THE PRICKLY PEAR

♦ QUEENSLAND’S ONE-TIME MENACE HISTORY OF ERADICATION Fifteen to 20 years ago the terms Queensland and prickly pear were practically synonyrhous in the view of farmers in the other states. The prevalence of the menace and its rapid spread at that time doubtless had some effect in discrediting the produclive possibilities of the country. Up till 1925 the fear was widepsread that it would eventually wipe out on a great belt of the country. But a parasite was found, and in the 16 yeais most of the huge area infected is now back in production. . . Mr R. McGillivray, who has just returned from a visit to Queensland and who inspected some of the areas previously infested, told a “Press” representative something of the history of the destruction of the pest, which might be a' useful line for guidance in dealing with the pests which are infesting much good land in this country. The pear is a native of Central America, the continent where the nassella tussock originated. It was planted in Queensland first as a garden plant, and for a long time there was little indication that it would ever get out of hand. After a time, however, it had spread to such an extent as to dominate completely large areas of good country extending from Mackay through the central tablelands to the Darling Downs, to the west and southwest, and into New South Wales. It was estimated that by 1925 about 60.000. acres were badly affected in Queensland, of which 22,000,000 were classed as so bad as to be considered beyond redemption, and the weed at the time was spreading at the rate of 1.000. acres annually. The weed had been attacked at various times and in various ways, but all efforts were a failure, and the position became so bad as to be considered quite hopeless. , In 1919, however, landowners and occupiers in some districts decided to set up a Prickly Pear Board, comprising representatives of interested bodies. This board was asked by the Government of the Commonwealth and the State Governments of Queensland and New South Wales to investigate the spread of the weed and to recommend means of control. Investigators indicated that the pear ,in its , native land was attacked by the cactoblastis insect, and in She course a supply of these insects was obtained and liberated in 1925. The insects increased by the million and distributed widely. The results were beyond all expectations and-10 years later the 22,000,000 acres classed as beyond redemption were again in occupation, and the spread of the pear had been completely stopped. The pest to-day is mostly represented by scattered plants with some heavier infestations in places, but actually the menace of the pear had disappeared. The whole of the formerly dense pear country considered useless has again been brought into production, chiefly for pastoral purposes, but in places -for dairying and general farming. The development of the reclaimed pear land is being pushed ahead, and the results are being reflected in the increasing prosperity of the country towns of the parts of the state previously affected.