NAMING OF WEEDS

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31061, 17 May 1966, Page 11

NAMING OF WEEDS

Common Terms Sought

Because farmers were not conversant with the botanical names of noxious weeds printed on the purity and germination certificates in the sale of grass seed, everyone would benefit if the common name was printed as well, Sheffield delegates argued at the agriculture section conference of North Canterbury Federated Farmers.

Their remit, however, asking that the common names of noxious weeds, particularly nodding thistle, be printed as well, was held over so that the matter could be attended to at Dominion council level after further investigation. Moving the remit, Mr A. F. Wright said that if the common name were printed on the certificate, both the farmer and the countryside would be protected. It would also be of benefit in the export seed market.

But Mr R. G. Rainey (Woodend) said that common names varied—even between North and South Islands—and Mr S. M. Wilson (Amberley) said the botanical names would be known internationally (where export seed was concerned), whereas common names would not.

The chairman (Mr J. F. N. Twose) said a booklet was published some years ago, and farmers had the opportunity to get copies. It had been suggested that seed containing a noxious weed should carry an asterisk beside its name on the certificate. But, of course, when New Zealand joined the international seed certification system, this would go “by the board.” “Has anyone here heard of a musk thistle?” asked Mr A. L. Mulholland (Darfield). There were no replies. "Well, it is the same as the nodding thistle, and that is where the use of common names runs you into difficulties,” he said. On the motion of Mr T. E. Streeter, the conference agreed to hold the matter over. Mr Streeter said he would not like to see the remit sassed until the support of the Department of Agriculture—which had previously opposed the suggestion—had been obtained.