RUSSIAN COMFREY

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 28002, 23 June 1956, Page 7

RUSSIAN COMFREY

“Inquirer” (Timaru) wishes to know if there is any information about the growing of Russian comfrey in the Dominion. The answer is that this plant was grown in small areas to some extent in districts around Dunedin more than 60 years ago. At the same time or earlier it was grown in districts south of Auckland city, and it is mentioned in Brett’s Farmers’ Guide published in 1902. It is stated that the plants came from Suttons, England. This firm imported roots from the Caucasus about 1870. Considerable planting was done, but comfrey did not find much favour among farmers. Some areas are said to exist still in Iceland. The propagation is by roots. The plant produces a heavy growth but is inclined to become rank and coarse, unless cut and fed before the maximum development is reached. In both Otago and Auckland it was used as green feed for pigs, being cut and fed to them, as it does not stand grazing. It is known that in Otago the pigs preferred red clover. Full production is not reached until three or four years from planting. One recent report from Britain states that the cost of establishment there is £B5 an acre, without labour costs.