Ragwort Menace

Franklin Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 19, 19 February 1940, Page 7

Ragwort Menace

CONDITIONS IN THE SOUTH POSITION UK COMING WORSE Landowners and others interested in I lie eonlrol ol‘ ragwort in I his part of Ihe North Island will doubtless read with interest what an authority in agricultural mailers has lo say about conditions further south. We quote: Travels through the Manawatu and Wai.rarapa Ibis month, covering from Fell ding to Wellington, lead to the unhappy feeling that ragwort is gaining. Within a few miles of Ihe capital city, about Tawa Flat. 1 saw more ragwort than ever noted there before, and from Tokomaru to below Levin more ragwort than for two or three years past. in one case, on Ihe "farm of a friend, a dozen hearty clumps were, found. When l asked him about it, h.e explained that the chemical had been given lo his share-milker, and Ihe ragwort would lie attended to as soon as the hay was finished—within a few days. It will need to he, for those clumps were in full bloom, and Ihe seed comes quickly.

J was sorry lo see more of this terrible weed in the Shannon-Levin area, as this was wonderfully well cleaned up a few years ago, as a result of the zest of a very active, common-sense, and conscientious inspector, now transferred elsewhere. Worse Than Waikato The prize for real neglect goes, as hi past years, to Ihe Pahiatua-Eketa-huna district —to the owners of rich country, well settled, right along the main highway. Travelling lo the Masierton ram sale, 1 had as companion a farmer who had been through lo Auckland. Observing the growth of ragwort about Konini and llamua, lie remarked: "This is worse than the Waikato. They do attempt lo combat the weed Ihe re. hut here there seems to he no realisation of what Iroubles Jliey are building up.” The patch by the llamua church is a classic. When seen last week it was as had as ever. There is no evidence of ils having been treated properly at any time during the past three full years. Is there no Noxious Weeds Act? Are there no inspectors? Do farmers consider ragwort as beautifying their farms —as a lovely, harmless, yellow flower? What the country needs today is not research at Ruakura hut enforcement at every point, in every

county. Labour problems have nothing lo do with most cases. As yet in Wellington province there is not heavy infestation. Ihougli llinl will come fasl. however, if nolhing is done. But there is everywhere the isolated plant. In a fair day, willt a few shillings’ worth of chemical, one man could idean up half a dozen farms in many instances. There is no excuse or sense in leaving Ibis subtly dangerous weed lo nourish as il does. The fields division of the Oeparlinenl of Agriculture is blameworthy, bui tanners and local bodies must also share Ihe blame.