PASPALUM V. CALIFORNIAN THISTLE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1130, 18 May 1911, Page 8

PASPALUM V. CALIFORNIAN THISTLE.

A FAEMER'S SUGGESTION, [To the Editor.] Sir,—l have Tead with interest your travelling correspondent's report of his chat with Mr. Studholme re eradicating Californian thistle, as published in today's Dominion. Though a young fanner of rather limited experience, I have observed that certain grasses (especially twitch) havo completely taken possession of large patches of well-sown pastures. Now, we have amongst recent iutroduc- ' tions paspalum, a very valuable, grass, vrhich possesses the- same quality of spreading rapidly and outliving other ■ grasses as twitch has. It grows well in. any climate, and gives a large quantity of feed. I would therefore suggest that where patches of thistle exist, the ground be grubbed up or otherwise cultivated, and paspalum seed sown. For tho first few months, odd thistles which grew up could bo cut until tho grass obtained a good hold, which would not be very long judging from the strong and dense growth of the paspalnm I liavo seen both in tho Waikato and Jlanawatu districts. Tho extra growth of feed would induce stock to graze more heavily there than on tho ordinary feed, which alono would do much towards keeping down tho pest. However, I feel certain that tho thistles ' would havo a sad time. I havo mentioned : tho matter to several farmers, and they ' consider tho suggestion well worth a trial.—l am, etc., J. W. BENSEMAN. Palraerston North, May 12, 1811.