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DESTRUCTION OF RAGWORT

INSECT ENEMIES TO BE a LIBERATED.

Dominion Special Service. Auckland, February 8.

Stringent tests have been passed by the ragwort moth, which has been engaging the attention of the authorities at the Cawthron Institute for some time past, and the Minister 4n charge of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (Hon. H. Atmore) said this afternoon that it had been decided to liberate the moth to-mor row. Specified areas, commencing with selected places in the Auckland, Taranaki, and Southland districts, will first receive attention. The Minister has been advised that Dr. D. Miller reports much success in the tests. It is not anticipated by the Department that the moth will clear ragwort this year, but that a good beginning will be made. Some millions of eggs will be distributed, and the first generation will be acclimatised and breed large supplies in the field next year.

“Farmers who, have been handicapped f>y the prevalence of ragwort weed will hail with pleasure the prospect of its rapid destruction,” said Mr. Atmore. He added that the experiments were another indication of the great value of the work done at the Cawthron Institute. Under the methods of investigation, the moths were allowed to sample plants of all kinds in the insectary at Cawthron, and there was no danger of their escape until it was fully established that no damage resulted to plants of economic value. The glass walls and roof and lining of phosphor gauze with which the insectary was provided were a complete barrier

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19290209.2.86

Bibliographic details

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 116, 9 February 1929, Page 11

Word Count
255

DESTRUCTION OF RAGWORT Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 116, 9 February 1929, Page 11

DESTRUCTION OF RAGWORT Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 116, 9 February 1929, Page 11