NOXIOUS WEEDS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIX, Issue 11, 14 January 1915, Page 2

NOXIOUS WEEDS.

CONFERENCE OF LOCAL BODIES.

The following is the text of the circular issued by Sir James Wilson, as-.the president of the Board of Agriculture, to local bodies, and in regard to which the Maryborough' Executive of the Farmers' Union is inviting the various authorities to hold a conference: —

"The question of noxious weeds has been referred to the Board of Agriculture. It is an extremely difficult question to deal with, and the Board seeks your advice to assist it in its inquiry. Since the Act has been in force experience has shown that it is an impossibility to enforce its provisions in all cases.

"The Board finds that the general opinion is that, on bush country and grazing land, r{; is a was^te not only of time, but also of money, to cut down weeds, more especially theCalifornian thistle; it has evidence, however, to show that there is a necessity for enforcing the Act in some districts, especially the agricultural districts. \ .

"It will thus be seen that there'is one body of farmers saying that the Act is of no use, and tha<t it should not only be not enforced, but repealed, and another body saying -that it should be stringently enforced. The evidence before the Board, too, shows that both classes of farmers may existina district controlled by one .local authority, and the difficulty of the Boai'd is to know what is best to. be Hone in such circumstances. It w v ouH therefore like to have your opinion on the following point:—• "What is the general feeling among (the farmers in the district which your, Union represents as to whether 'it is advisable to have the Act fully enforced—

(a) In the' whole district, or (b) In any portion of the district? "You would ' greatly assist the Board in coming to a conclusion as to wha<t it should advise in the matter if you would give the fullest information on this subject in connection with the district which your Union represents, stating whether in your opinion the district should be divided into two classes \ if so, will you please give some idea of the division you think necessary? "The weed which is specially mentioned in the evidence before the Board so far is the Californian thistle, but there may be other weeds in your district in connection with which the Act should be stringently enforced (or otherwise, as the case may be).

"I' may say, for your information, that the Board has been informed that the Californian thistle can be best dealt wtih by a very simple process in agricultural districts—namely, by shooting the cavings at threshing time so as to cover the whole of the thistle. In grass country, if fresh grass is cut and thrown upon it to a considerable extent it is said that this will completely kill the thistle. Merely putting straw upon it seems to have no effect, but the cavings and the grass exclude the air, and therefore the thistle cannot live. Californian (thistle is so general now that it may be worth the while of any farmer in your district to give this treatment a trial."