THE THISTLE PLAGUE AND OTHER MATTERS RURAL.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 11, Issue 822, 29 January 1867, Page 3

THE THISTLE PLAGUE AND OTHER MATTERS RURAL.

Sir, — It was not before time that you took notice lately of the thistle nuisance. However, permit my saying, that you have taken a very mild view of the case, obviously from not knowing the immense areas • stocked with these plants so well as you fully appreciated the danger. Now, to arrest their progress in the pastoral districts, from the ugly rough spots in which they abound (viz., mazes of all kinds,, almost impenetrable, creek and riverbeds, precipitous banks &c.) would absorb, in not a few places, quite if not more than the annual income of the occupant, while, in four months afterwards, another crop nearly equal to the previous one would be onhand to begot rid of. And, bad though the case be, if this work be neglected longer, dismal indeed are the' prospects. The apathy, ignorance, orworse, of the few, in this case, has made the many suffer. Had the nuisance been properly looked after when existing only on a small scale, a very trifling amount of money could have done what not the united exertions and wealth of this province can now accomplish. In the agricultural districts, of course wholesome legislation will prove of utility ; but, elsewhere^ what effectual steps can be taken in the face of such a herculean task? .. ' ...

The amount of ill feeling that yet will be raised in attempting tcT deal with this pirate of the pastures — this vegetable Paul Jones — it is altogether impossible to estimate.

As to the noxious qualities of 1 the thistle, ifc is useless saying anything, that being well understood. The partial suppression of this plant has cost the people and governments of some of the Australian colonies a sum of money truly wonderful. And countries there are, where it extends in vast beds, scores of miles in length and many indeed in breadth, rendering wool hardly worth growing in such localities. § Some will say, sheep live on the thistle at times. My reply to those who consider ifc a fodder plant is that these animals, unless pinched by hunger, never, acquire the habit of eating it ; and that it is very destructive to their mouths in time (rendering the lips useless for catching hold of the grass) without anything being noted as to the state, under such circumstances, of their fleeces.

Manual labour, with the adze -shaped forked hoe, the scythe, and bill hook, can still accomplish. considerable, along with the judicious employment of fire and the sowing of powerfully monopolising grasses suited to the soil. But to ultimately gain the victory, other potent aids have to be invoked, uniting other desiderated ends, valuable in themselves apart from this, with the work of extermination. I allude first to the introduction of birds of the finch tribe, particularly the Sparrow, which is so capable of clearing out the insect curses — grasshoppers &c — which in some periods of the year devour, it is calculated, 25 per cent, of the grass. This bird in the Island of Mauritius, did most essential service to its inhabitants ; why should it not be utilised here ? Another formidable barrier to the encroachments of the pest is furnished by hedges. They, as it were, arrest the flight of the thistle down-r-it flying, as a rule, as has been completely proved, at a very low altitude. Owing to the soil prepared for the hedge being covered carefully with surface stones, no seed can thrive there. The stones are placed to promote the growth of the fence, to save weeding, and also to prevent stock from forming a path way along its length. They also tend to retain the moisture.

Such seeds as sail over the breakwind, fall or strike the earth at a short distance from it, being driven down by the deflected air current. . They, of course, form a long belt, which is better than' having them spread in every place. Although the down sails on, as it is minus its seed, of course it can do no harm.

The work of effectually banishing the plague, one can perceive, demands the isolation as far as practicable of manageable land from that which is not. This being a work of time, is the sole drawback. However, abundant evidence can be produced of a most authentic character that such live fences as are proof against all animals other than a rat can be formed for a fractional portion of the existing post and rail and iron structures. Also, that their duration will exceed the average life of man, and, in a limited period, form a wall, as it were, from 10 to 20 feet in height, whilstj although almost indestructible by fire, yet allowing that it were burnt by an intense flame, it would grow again superior to what it was before. Fire cannot travel along either. All stock detest the leaves of the hedge, and it soon sets them at defiance. Of course as to starvation in the extreme, I do not know or consider, as, then, sheep eat everything astringent — barks and such like, in quantities that often hurts without anyone in charge of them dreaming the cause. The plant which on investigation will be found capable of answering these requirements is the Osage Orange. It is useless attempting its culture unless, at least here, the earth be trenched by either manual or animal labour, to a depth of from 18 to 20 inches, and, in many cases, some of the adjacent surface soil incorporated on the tilled strip.

What an amount of animate and inanimate fencing this, in a limited period, would set free ; and how greatly the resources of the country would be forwarded, is patent to the most ordinary understanding, besides aiding in this great work. Fifty miles would not cost, if suitably laid out, anything approximating to that of the very cheapest modes of effectually enclosing land by the old plans.

Perhaps a paternal government, moved by the danger which menaces the country, will take steps to disseminate the best information obtainable by means of circulars as to the mode of treating this scourge, and may, besides, arrange that the needful seeds of plants and grasses are obtainable within the province, in quantities and prices as nearly as possible to meet the great requirements of the case.

Should I offend the prejudices of some it cannot be helped, but they may depend on this that, if careless now, bye and bye they will bitterly regret it, entangled by a. mass of difficulties. Trusting all will be united in banishing the thistle pest.

I am &c,

Observee,

P.S. — As to plough trenching, the wheel trenching plough being, ' everyday,' used elsewhere, even for breaking up old maca-

damised roads, it must certainly answer here, and some such implement, with a subsoiler following in its track, will tear any soil up in the wet months.

Sir, — Your editorial notice upon the last concert of the "Hawke's Bay Philharmonic Society" invites me to make a few observations upon it, should it please you to insert them. You first comment upon the ill accommodation afforded by the Council Chamber for purposes of public meetings, and the great desirability of building a Music Hall or other Public Building. These suggestions all admit, and -while upon this subject, I would suggest that a public meeting be called for the purpose of seriously discussing the matter, and considering the ways and means. You next comment upon the questionable taste of criticising public performances of amateurs, and indeed to question the right of the public to comment in any way whatever. Now, Sir, I beg to differ from you most materially, and for two reasons. To your amiable and good-natured review of the merits of the several pieces, everything was exceedingly creditable, everything sweetly and exquisitely performed, and the audience generally appreciative, but to my humble and crotchety mind, everything was not so favorable. My first reason for differing from you, is, that a fair and truthful criticism is in no way distasteful to amateurs, but quite the contrary — and, secondly, that a criticism written by one somewhat acquainted with the subject, must tend to give to the uninitiated some faint idea as to the manner in which these great masterpieces of music should be executed. I will not be so severe as your correspondent, Captain Diogenes, though L quite agree with him in much that he complained of. The opening of the concert was very pleasing, but the chorus following " For unto us a child is born," for want of alto voices was completely marred in effect, otherwise this fine composition was fairly rendered. The pastoral symphony was exceedingly tame, and only wanted 500 more instruments. The recitative arid air following was sung very monotonously and without the slightest feeling. This should have been sung by a treble, for which it is written, and not a bass voice. The total absence of alto voices in the chorus " Glory to God," must prove the absurdity of bringing such music before the public, with such slender means. The alto part occasionally loomed forth as a solo by a most lugubrious bass voice. The whole thing was a mistake and what professionals would call a hash. The chorus "Lift up your heads " failed in eftect from the same cause. In the second part, that exquisite and elaborate composition, the overture to " Semiramide," was far above the powers of the performers. I will conclude my remarks by observing that a great oversight in young musical societies is, Ihe attempting to get up the most difficult music, and of the very highest class, without the requisite talent and proficiency. Our Hawke's Bay Philharmonic Society should see to this, and give the public, who so well and liberally support their endeavours, the benefit of a. less pretentious and more pleasing style of music.

I am Sir, Foo Choo Loo

Napier, Jan. 25th, 1867,

Sib,— l take the liberty to make an enquiry of you, having of late been rather puzzled thereby. That is, are Vaccination officers supposed to do their duty gratis, or are they at liberty to tender an account for the same. I have conversed with many on the subject, and all seem to be of opinion that they are. not supposed to charge, as the belief is that they are salaried officers of government. Sir, I should feel obliged for your opinion on the matter, and trusting you will excuse me for troubling you.

I remain, yours &c, &c. Querist.

[The Act is silent upon the subject of payment ; and seeing that medical men, as Vaccination officers, are not paid by government, the presumption is that they are justified in making a charge for their trouble.]

Sir, — If you have space to spare will you have the kindness to insert this in your journal. On the 7th of this month a son of mine, George Chase, was killed at the Waipukurau by a fall from his horse. It happened on the Monday, and he died on the Tuesday, but he never spoke after the. fall. Well, there were two mails arrived from the Waipukurau the two following weeks', and not a word about the affair. We, his parents, heard that he had been hurt ; then we heard that it was the person killed at the Wairoa. Nothing whatever transpired to let us know the truth until last Sunday, two weeks after, when Mr. Thomas Saunders called and was quite surprised that we had not been written to about it. It happened that James, my eldest son, came here on the same Sunday, and he immediately called on his brother Edward, at Okawa, and went up to Waipukurau to hear the truth of the matter, when, and alas! they found it too true. Wow I do not wish to blame any one in particular. I believe the people there did everything in their power for my son, but when the doctor arrived and said he could not live, is it not natural to think one of the first things that should have been thought of would have been to send word to his friends, and not leave it to be found out by chance, two weeks afterwards.

I remain, Mr. Editor, Yours &c, &c, James Chase, Senr.

Clive, Jan. 26th, 1867.

What we want in Napiek. — The following account of a swimming bath in Nelson is from the Colonist :— The bath which has been, so quickly formed at the back of Mr. Barraclough's premises, in Hardy-street, is now so near completion in every detail that already numbers of boys have tried its quality and adaptability ior the purpose intended. The enclosure^ ninety feet long, and sixty feet wide, with dressing boxes at the side, and wooden platforms all round, the remainder affording a spacious area for swimming purposes. The depth is so arranged at one part that it is perfectly easy for very young boys to take their first lessons in natation with safety and satisfaction, while at another end the water is ' sufficiently deep for all the purposes of older and more practised swimmers.'