RAGWORT MENACE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 136, 5 March 1938, Page 7 (Supplement)

RAGWORT MENACE

Need For Strong Action Journeying from Pahiatua to Eketahuna last week I made a stop to inspect a noxious ragwort patch a few miles from the latter town. It has been cut, as I had heard. There is no evidence that it was chemically treated, but this should soon be done, for the stumps are atooling vigorously and I saw shoots up to inches long. Then, only two chains away, is untouched ragwort. Aud from there on one sees plants dotted about. Those odd plants are the most dangerous source of infection. These are seen right on to and actually within the Eketahuna borough. Last January very pointed remarks were made on the ragwort in this district. One is sorry to say that the position has been bettered but little. • The apathy evinced in the face of this menace is simply colossal and spells tragedy if continued. A Lone Rabbit. Nearing Mount Bruce a lone rabbit was seen on a ferny hillside. Rabbits are no longer plentiful and it is difficult to realise they were once a menace. The last real swarms I saw were iu the Waikato in 1915. About 10 years ago they were fairly bad on the Manawatu coastal country on the sandy lands. Rigorous control methods, including fines, ns well as advice, have freed farming of these furry robbers. The same rigorous methods must be employed to combat ragwort. We have had enough and to spare of exhortations, resolutions and polite requests. The time has come for “two-fisted action.” The present “pussy-footing” policy has been followed far too long. Cropping. The cropping lands from Opaki down to Masterton and beyond, about Waingawa, look well. A great crop ot swedes was noted before Masterton and there were so few white butterflies about that one felt one could count them. It was a thriving crop. A fair area of turnips and swedes was noted on the Waingawa flats and these, too, looked well.