THE " BATHURST BUR " IN WOOL.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5424, 3 July 1879, Page 3

THE " BATHURST BUR " IN WOOL.

Yesterday we were shown by Messrs Ireland Brothers a sample o£ wool rendered altogether valueless by the quantity of seeds of the Bathurst bur which it contained. The wool may now be seen by any one interested in the subject, on calling at our publishing office, where the burry wool is on exhibition. The firm were not able to tell the district whence the wool was obtaiued, it having been found among a quantity of wool at their establishment at Panmure, brought from various places. During the past dry season the Bathurst bur appears to have been more prevalent here than on any former season. This was only to be expected, seeing that the plant which bears this {bur is a native of a warmer and drier climate than that which Auckland possesses. Many years rgo it was introduced into Australia, and from there it was brought to Auckland during the Maori war in 1863 or 1864. It first made itß appearance about Penrose and the Harp of Erin Hotel, and since then it has found its way to many of the dry volcanic hills in the neighborhood of Auckland. Indeed, it is only on these hills, and on dry, .warm, Bandy nooks where the bur appears to be able to successfully struggle for exexistence. On the heavier soils in the Auckland district it does not seem to have obtained a firm footing. We know of its having been found in the Raglan, Tauranga, and other districts some distance removed from Auckland, but it is only on the warm, dry spots of those places where it lives. As : the .moist Aupkland climate is against 'the ; plaAt thriving with luxuriance, w© think the

•; peal highway distric^j.might take stepa to lave the few plants in 'their several dis- '■> riots jdestro-sedjr i t w*rold-> take little ime and trouble *€6 accomplish this' work, md we are informed that the chairman >f the Mount Wellington road district ms already issfc^Orflfclft^have all the plants of the Bathurst bur found in that district destroyed. The Auckland Pastoral and Agricultural Association might £lso move in the matter, and do something towards the eradiation of the weed. When the'plants are numerous: on sheep' pastures, the wool is very much deterio* fated rin n y a }ue ? This, „jthe Australian sq'udtters' Tiayjs/^f.ouncl to.! their" cos^. Recently, a quantity of wool from Australia; Was offered in the London xnarket; anct its,wa&deolareol to ; be wholly worthless on account of -the quantity of thifrbnr I which it- coriEained:: — Auckland-jStfa/v •■;■