Noxious Plants and Weeds in New Zealand.

Evening Post, Volume XLVI, Issue 23, 27 July 1893, Page 3

Noxious Plants and Weeds in New Zealand.

» DISCUSSION BY THE PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. A very interesting paper was read before the Philosophical bociety last night by T. W. Kirk on " The Occurrence of tho Burr Weed (Xanthium slumarium) in Now Zealand." Mr. Kirk explained that amongst the ballast brought from South America by the barque Silverstroam last year, and discharged on the reclaimed land, he had discovered no fewer than 15 different species of weeds, some of them of a noxious character. In Australia one of the weeds grew to a height of eight or ten feet. In tho oarly stages it was greedily eaten by cattle, and causod paralysis of tho heart. The weed had been introduced into Queensland in some cotton brought from South America. If it were not kept down tho burr would get into the wool on the sheep's backs, and cause great loss. Our Harbour Board had ordered that all ballast except large stones should be taken out to sea and dropped in deep water, but ho was firmly of opinion that this wonld not get over the difficulty, as ho believed that tho tide wonld carry tho seeds tc tho shore. He suggested that at each port the ballast should be deposited in a propei enclosure, from which it could bo taken bj other vessels. A short time ago he had the burr growing in his garden for experimental purposes, but to his surprise it was quite destroyed by the slags, which ate it U{ Sreedily. Sir J. Hector said that a noxious weec had escaped, and was now to bo found ii tho open fields. A Commission had enquired about it, and tho report showed that all Ihc animals that had eaten it bad died in great pain. People in New Zealand must be or their guard with regard to noxious weeds In Mr. Mason's gardens the other day hi saw several plants which he believed n ere of a noxious character. Ho was of opinioi that not only most of tho ballast of vcsseli should be inspected before being landed, bui that that the soil which came with importcc plants must be subjected to some treatment He had no doubt that the blight which wai doing so much harm in the Hutt distric had been imported from Nelson. Mr. W. T. L. Trovers said that when hi was on his way to America some years agi ho noticed centipedes and other insect crowding about tho steamer's decks, havini been brought aboard at Honolulu in som bananas. Venomous insects would not fini iv New Zealand the food which suited them and any which might bo introduced her wonld not increase. It was different wit plants. Some years ago ho urged that th soil in which plants were brought into th colony ahould be treated to a heat, bn unfortunately Government did not act o the suggestion. When he had importe Slants be had taken special care to fro hem from noxious ipsects. He considere it wa3 a great reproach that no stops wor taken to prevent the introduction of ii jarions meets and plants, and his opinion v,o that until a department to deal 9 with tlies matters was created orchardists, agricn tnrists, Ac. o wonld bo placed at a disadvai tage with persons in most other countries i the world. Mr. W. M. Maskell pointed out that i a previous paper ho had referred to tho ii trodaction of noxious inßects. In tht paper he expressed the opinion that a mi take had beon made in allowing an oilicii of the United States Horticultural Depar ment to return to America without makir Borne arrangement for an exchange of i scots which prey upon the noxious insects i his country and ours. Mr. Maskell urge that the Philosophical Societies in tho colon should urge upon Government to take ste] in the direction suggested by Mr. Kirk. Professor Kirk was of opinion that tl weed alluded to in the paper job tread wou' flourish in warm climates, bat would not c well in clayey Eoils. He understood that tl

Bathurst burr was spreading at tho East Cape. In tho South the number of noxious _ plants was not so great as in tho North, and if this fact showed that they flourished in the warmer climate. The President (Maior-General Sehaw) agreed that it was desirablo that steps should bo taken to prevent noxious insects j and birds from being brought to tho colony. .. Mr. T. W. Kirk pointed out that Go\crn0 mi>nt wi3 taking steps to pet a fruit expeit :f: f who was a practical c-ntomolog-iir, and no doubt if snch a gentleman came to New ij Zealand something would bo dono to prnii vent the introduction of undesirable plants c Hiidmseots. Jlr. Kirk also thought that 0 the Noxious Weeds Bill would, if passed, do much iv the way of restricting tho spread of injurious plants The discusbion then terminated.