BLACKBEERY PEST.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10734, 3 November 1928, Page 2

BLACKBEERY PEST.

REWARD OF £lO-,009 FOR ERADICATION CLAIM BY GISBORNE SYNDICATE The Government- reward of £10,060 offered for a.specific that would kill blackberry has been claimed by a Gisborne 'syndicate, who stated they have discovered an effective and economical method of eradicating the pest. The specific is a non-pdisonous sfpray which has been tested for nearly twelve months and the syndicate claims for it most satisfactory results. It is, stated that the blackberry on several areas of heavy growth, after use of the specific, has been killed. The . spray is claimed to be perfectly / safe for stock and to act as a fertiliser, though the spraying kills all vegetable growth. It is estimated that | the co=|b of spraying, average blackberry-infested land is less than lOs an aero, a figure which, , even allowing for poor quality land and the possibility of a second application being required, makes the process economically practicable. : Within recent weeks blackberry which has been sprayed with the mixture has been inspected , ’by officers of the Department of Agriculture , who . were, niu'cli impressed with the .possibilities'^of successfully coping with what -is a , real menace in some partfe, of'this district. It is derstood that further tests are td be carried out under official' super-' visipn at Wairoa'. arid 1 that a depart-’ jEngntal report upon these "will' be is“sued subsequently. . . . A 'fe