Grass Grub And Porina

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31440, 5 August 1967, Page 14

Grass Grub And Porina

Sir,—The present invasion is undoubtedly a very serious problem for many Canterbury farmers and indeed for the country as a whole. It would appear that our research scientists are quite baffled. It may take years to find a substitute for the banned D.D.T. I, like A J. McFarlane, would not only suggest but urge all farmers likely to be affected to try to help themselves in combating this pest. His scheme sounds quite feasible, though a bit unwieldy and expensive. Rather, I would urge all farmers in a given area to start now and stockpile anything that will

make good bonfires (old tyres, logs, etc.) and at the right time place them in suitable places in their grass paddocks. There was a similar infestation some 60 years ago and I can vouch for the success of this method. This requires some organising to gain the maximum results, so let us hear that Federated Fanners are doing something about it Lincoln College undoubtedly would advise about when the main flights take place.—Yours, etc., A SON OF THE SOIL. August 4, 1967.

Sir,—l believe that the grass grub and porina problem is a symptom of a sick agriculture. The leucosis (cancer) problem in poultry is another. The increasing use of synthetic fertilisers and poisons to hammer nature into submission is beginning to react For every action there is a corresponding reaction; as we sow, so shall we reap. As for feeding the increasing populations, we New Zealand farmers are doing little in this direction. We are in business for profit, and are trying to sell luxury foods on luxury markets. Meat is the most wasteful method of producing protein; wool and butter are luxuries to most people. We grow barley and bops for gin and beer, tobacco for smoke, and, sometimes, good land for housing. —Yours, etc., CONSCIENCE-STRICKEN FARMER. August 3, 1967.