The Feilding Star. Oroua & Kiwitea Counties Gazette Published Daily. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1905. CALIFORNIAN THISTLE.

Feilding Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 107, 1 December 1905, Page 2

The Feilding Star. Oroua & Kiwitea Counties Gazette Published Daily. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1905. CALIFORNIAN THISTLE.

The Minister of Lands, who re cently went over the paddock a* Totara in which experiments for the eradiction of Cahfornian thistle are being made, states tbat so far as can be seen at present tbe various speoi fics bave had little effect on the growth of the weed. The most success has been attained by one competitor for the Government bonus, whose treatment consisted of digging up the ground and salting, repeating the process frequently. Some of those who have engaged in the difficult task of attempting to conquer this great scourge never anticipated success until they had made another application of their preparations, but the majority of those who have visited the spot are sceptical as to any beneficial results following upon there efforts. Mr Duncan has received a letter from an Otautau resident who states that if the Government will give him nine or ten acres on which to try his treatment, he is satisfied that be can kill the thistle, and his preparation will, in addition to this, act as a manure to strengthen tbe crop. He was formerly employed by a brother of Lord Ranf urly, who sends references as to the writer's capabilities as an practical gardener. Should he succeed in making good his boast, a large fortune awaits him, compared with which the Government bonus would become a matter of small im* nnriiknnn.