Manawatu Evening Standard. Circulation, 3,500 Copies Daily. TUESDAY, MARSH 15, 1910. NOXIOUS WEEDS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 9166, Issue 9165, 15 March 1910, Page 4

Manawatu Evening Standard. Circulation, 3,500 Copies Daily. TUESDAY, MARSH 15, 1910. NOXIOUS WEEDS.

The question of dealing with noxious weeds is receiving general attention all over the Dominion, and it has been announced that the Agricultural Department will commence a crusade against offending owners. Already some farmers have been fined in various parts of the country. An aspect of the matter which has not received much notice was brought up at the meeting of the Pohangina County Council on Saturday by references in the Engineer's report. In the subsequent discussion councillors made their views quite clear. They pointed out that while the Government, which was guilty of greater neglect than anyone else, failed to practice what it preached, the private land owner could not be expected to develop much enthusiasm over the eradication of noxious weeds. The particular weeds referred to on Saturday were pennyroyal, blackberry, and Californian thistle. With regard to the actual methods of eradication, it was stated that pennyroyal could be easily killed by light ploughing and chopping with a spade or equally suitable implement, whilst as to blackberry the chairman made caustic reference to the fact that blackberries were advertised for sale by Palmerston fruiterers, whilst the country resident was harried till he destroyed the straggling bush or two on which he depended for. a little fruit for jam 1 making purposes. It was admitted by members of the Council that in some few instances efforts were made to cope with the pests, but at the same time they emphasised the point that until comprehensive and general steps are tjiken isolated action is not only costly but absolutely futile. Regarding blackberry and thistle, it was stated that there were thousands of patches, all freely seeding, in the Government reserves, which were not visited by the Government Inspectors, and nothing was done to attempt to kill the pests. In the face of this it was not considered the specimens growing upon settlers' properties would do any harm. Regarding the thistle nuisance the chairman mentioned the great probability of the seed being scattered all over this district by the use of southern chaff. He related instances of the growth of the thistle he had seen in the south, and said it was quite impossible for chaff to be used here or anywhere else

-without the seed being a continual J source of danger. Thistle had" com- j pi etc possession of areas of country in the south, but settlers there were of the opinion that it died out in two or three seasons and no great fuss was made about it. The discussion demonstrated : the necessity for more systematic measures than the mere prosecution of a few farmers. The State should set an example to private land owners, and all the means by which noxious weeds are spread should receive attention. Until that is done it is useless to continue in the spasmodic fashion that is at present in vogue. '