Collection Of Ergot For Britain

Northern Advocate, 18 November 1941, Page 2

Collection Of Ergot For Britain

An intensive national drive is being made for the collection of ergot, from which is extracted valuable drugs used for medicinal purposes. A substantial part of Great Britain’s normal supplies have been cut off by the war. and New Zealand is practically the only alternative source of any consequence. Ergot is a diseased transformation of the seed of grasses, but the collection in New Zealand will be restricted to two varieties of grass, tall fescue and marram grass. The collection of ergot in the Dominion is being sponsored by the Department of Agriculture with the cooperation of a number of organisations. whose members are taking up the work with enthusiasm. At the meeting to inaugurate the campaign the following bodies were represented: Women’s Division of the Farmers' Union, Women’s Institutes. Girl Guides. Farmers’ Union, Young Farmers’ Clubs' Federation, - Grain and Seed Merchants’ Association. Boy Scouts' Association, and the Departments of Agriculture. Scientific and Industrial Research, and Education. Tall Fescue, Marram Grass The director of the Fields Division cf the Department of Agriculture (Mr R. B. Tennent), who presided, said that the campaign for the collection of ergot was being carried out at the request of the British Government, and those who participated were performing a patriotic duty. He stressed the necessity of confining collection to tall fescue and marram grass, as the ergots of a number of the other grasses were practically useless for medicinal purposes. The ergot gathered could be sold to any member of the Grain and Seed Merchants’ Association, and the price would be according to grade. In the discussion which followed it was pointed out that the best months to collect ergot were December and January. A pamphlet setting out the technique involved is being distributed. and copies are available at any office of the Department of Agriculture. It was urged that any person who has the facilities to collect ergot should take part in this work.

Late Arrival Club. —An Australian pilot in the Western Desert has reached Britishheld territory by walking 70 miles after his machine crash-landed. This feat has qualified him for entrance into the Late Arrival Club formed by pilots who have walked home after being shot down.