1400 TONS OF WATER WEED

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28559, 12 April 1958, Page 10

1400 TONS OF WATER WEED

Hamilton Lake Choked “The Press" Special Service HAMILTON, April 11. About 1400 tons of water weed is choking Hamilton Lake and giving serious concern to yachtsmen and swimmers. A report on the growth, called American water weed, has been prepared by Dr. H. E. Annett, chairman of the Hamilton Domain Board and an authority on flora and grassland management, assisted by Mr J. A. Mashlan, superintendent of the city’s parks and reserves. The weed is particularly virile and fast-spreading, says the report. “Its spreading powers are amazing and it has provided botanists with one of the greatest conundrums of modern times.” First introduced to England from North America in 1847, the weed became known as “Babbington’s Curse,” after the professor who introduced it, when, only five years later, rivers were choked, fishing and swimming were impossible and barge traffic was seriously impeded. Control was impossible, the report said. Any cut portion of the weed stem will grow. Because of its oxygen producing qualities, the weed was in demand for small aquaria and its use could very easily cause its spread to ponds and waterways now free of it.

Arrangements have been made for a United States technical officer who has had experience with the weed to pass on information on the problem. The Domain Board is in touch with a Swiss ehemical company with regard to the use of hormones and toxic chemicals. The Rukuhia Soil Research Station is assisting the hoard and approaches are being \nade to the Marine Biological Research Station.

The report ends on a cheerful note: “The weed would make quite good. compqat**