THE RAGWORT MENACE.

Northern Advocate, 18 April 1933, Page 6

THE RAGWORT MENACE.

' , A ’ ; .V. 'i. (To the Editor.) : Sir,—The serious wnrning- that youf have issued to Northland settlers re -* the above: is well merited, and deserves the thanks of : * those it might . concern." Dairyfarmers not familiar with the pest should endeavour- to ; make its acquaintance, so that if it makes its appearance on their holdings they will be able to ■ identify. it. and prevent its spread. won't say eradicate; since I believe that to be economically impossible,, except an

odd patch, and then not by pulling it. up as one good Samaritan stated he had done. If that person pays a visit ■ to the-spot again, he- will probably find several. plants that are. growing from the small “cancerous” roots, broken and in the ground. If pull-- - ing was effective; ragwort would not- ; have beaten the; settlers in-other dis* triets. This method only multiplies ; it. An odd; plant can be. destroyed permanently by smothering with - a sack or piece * of tin. .7 A. good- weed killer, or a dose of salt, will kill it, ' but this method can only be applied to ah isolated plant, when it first 1 makes its appearance. If a set-tier discovers a patch* on his property his first duty to 1 , himself and his neigh; hours is to prevent it from seeding] Sheep will do this effectively, but where only, cattle are; kept it must be .cut, in the early flowering stage. ; This. has to be done two or, three times during the season. I have read of cattlebeing poisoned by eating it, but,.with v many years in an. infested district, _■ I , have never known cattle to eat the weed.lf ragwort gets; a good. hold . • in Northland it will quickly establish a butter export quota, as badly: .- infested land must be devoted . to Though not a desirable sheep . feed, sheep take to it readily in all stages of growth, and, with other grasses, fatten, but the -carcase turns . yelloAV soon after slaughter, though it is said to be good mutton. The , weed prefers- damp soil, and, like 7 .most noxious growths, gets into rough . inaccessible localities, and sheds its seeds unnoticed until/too late. I am of opinion that much of Northland land is not quite to its liking, otherwise it Avould have been well established long since. This notwithstanding, I noticed a very fair specimen on view’in Yates and Co. premises, Mine Street. The seed, when ripe, it attached to a, fluffy covering, similar -■ to the sowthistle, and is carried by wind and water. If any area of extent is infested in;a district, the stock inspector should be notified, and ho should have power to have it fenced, and the owner compelled to stock it with sheep., Culling the Aveed -when it has a good hold is an endless and Avearisome task, with no prospect’ o? relief, and after a year or two the' farmer obsems his hopeless position, becomes aceustonied v to its presence and so indifferent that he only gives * it attention, to evade, prosecution/ - neglecting any plant that is not with- • in view of the inspector, with the result that, once established/ it is al- . most impossible to prevent it spreading where no sheep are grazed.—l am, - etc., E. WOOLHOUSE. -