ENEMY OF RAGWORT

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7170, 18 March 1930, Page 9

ENEMY OF RAGWORT

Moth Not Yet Effective OTHER METHODS STILL NEEDED The cinnabar moth cannot yet be looked to for a solution of the farmers' problem of keeping in check or eradicating ragwort. Other methods, involving effort by farmers, must be persisted in. This view is strongly held by officers of the Agricultural Department in Auckland.

To be effective in destroying ragwort in a wholesale way the caterpillars from which the moth develops must bo present in great numbers. They must remain during the whole period of the weed's flowering, lielea.se of the cinnabar moths in selected parts of the Auckland Province was only commenced in the spring of 1928, and, although it has been continued ever since, numerical increase to effectvo strengtn must be a matter of somo years. A drawback which has been observed this year is that the pupa stage is reached before the ragwort had finished flowering, indicating that the later flowering crops of the weed would be frev from attack.

Judicious use of sheep is advised by tho Agricultural Department as probably the most effective method of attacking ragwort where it is growing in profusion or over large areas. Poisoning of cattle is the principal danger attached to the growth of ragwort. Shee.p are liable to suffer, but in a lesser degree. They can be used to eat the weed without danger, provided the proper method is adopted. Old ewes are advised for the purpose, and they should be put on the infested area in July or August, when the weed is sprouting and the crowns can be eaten. The sheep will do this, and will not suffer if they are suitably spelled o-n clean pasture. Practical difficulties in the way- of sheep being used for this purpose on dairy farms are recognised, but it is stated that even 40 to 50 old owes can be very beneficial on such a property. “Where possible use sheep,” is the advice of the departmental officers interested in the problem.

Cutting does not kill , the plant as does the eating of the young crowns by sheep, as it .may have to bo done several times in a season to prevent seeding. One of .the most valuable means of preventing the spreading of the weed -is to pull every plant that is seen and thus prevent it from seeding. Tho prevalence of ragwort varies considerably in different districts, but it is stated that in some the position this year is decidedly better than it was last year.