Weed sprays

Press, 14 September 1988, Page 20

Weed sprays

Sir, —On September 3 I read that the grassed areas of Lincoln College are to be ruled out as lunch areas to students because of lethal sprays being used to kill weeds in the lawns. Students are further advised against crossing the lawns with bare feet or while wearing open sandals. Not only are the lawns to be sprayed but also the open ditches. For a college which teaches „ horticulture,. are the students also taught that those poisons — lethal to man and beast — go down eventually into our water table? Those sprayed on to open ditches have a flying start; they go directly into our waterways. At a recent organic symposium held at Lincoln College there were many favourable comments about the layout of Lincoln’s grounds — native trees and shrubs blending to incorporate buildings as part of a peaceful landscape. Why then does it annually have to be turned into a minefield? Surely healthy weed growth would be preferable? — Yours, etc., PAT WRIGHT. September 10,1988.