Spray working on weed

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33579, 6 July 1974, Page 17

Spray working on weed

(From Our Own Seporter) WESTPORT.

Mr Graham Jones, of Granite Creek, Karamea, hopes that a noxious weed new to Buller — giant buttercup — will be eradicated soon from his 650-acre property and the danger of spread to other parts of the rich dairying district relieved. Mr Jones said that when he took over the stock and dairying farm four years ago the weed was already flourishing but, in three years, he had sprayed 180 acres with MCPA to good effect. The spray, plus regular cultivation, had not only cleared a wide area of the buttercup but had coped well with rushes.

“In the summer in the worst affected paddocks this weed with a thick stalk and yellow flower, something like ragwort at a distance, was three feet high, almost overwhelming the grass,” said Mr Jones. “But with this treatment 1

lam now reducing the growth] considerably and have cleared the weed altogether] [in large sections.” Other Karamea farmers) are working with the Buller County. Council’s inspector i of noxious weeds (Mr L. J. I Menzies) on means of com-; bating its spread to their; properties which are almost clear at present.

There are reports of the buttercup growing also al [Westport and Waimangarba