SAVE THE TREES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 24 November 1938, Page 12

SAVE THE TREES

NEED FOR VIGILANCE SOUTH ISLAND CONCERN DANGER TO PLANTATIONS The menace of fire to its plantations during the summer months is to be given immediate consideration by the reserves committee of the Waimakariri River Trust, which will consider the institution of some form of patrol. “These plantations are growing in value now, and the risk from fire will be very real until such time as the trees are all underscrubbed,” said the engi-i neer (Mr H. W. Harris) at a meeting of 1 the trust. Mr Harris added that gangs had been clearing fire-breaks in the plantations, and this had greatly lessentd the fire hazard, but the time was approaching when some form of patrol

would be necessary during week-ends I and holidays. Millions of trees had j been planted over an area exccdeing | j two thousand acres. j NEWS AND NOTES Prairie Grass* The luxuriant growth of prairie grass | now being mown on the roadsides of j New Plymouth gives rise to the thought 1 that this prolific grass is not so gene- ] rally cultivated ns it deserves to be j (says the “Herald”). It will not stand ! hard grazing but it is so much earlier than many other crops that it has been suggested that it would be ideal for early green fodder. Freedom From Animdl Disease “New Zealand is freer from animal j disease than any other country in the world, and the Live Stock Division, which is responsible for that health, has something to be proud of.” stated Mr R B. Tennent, director of the Fields Division of the Department of Agriculture, in an adress to the annual meeting of the Mnnnwatu branch of the Royal. Society. destroying Weeds A fact to be borne in mind by gardeners and farmers alike is that weeds are most easily killed in the flowering stage. Cut before flowering new growth will carry the plant on but if cut or pulled when i"» full flower the task is usually complete. Proof of this can be j found in an experiment on the common dock which can be cut or pulled over j and over again and survive. If a fully grown plant is selected in full flower and pulled steadily and firmly the root comes out entire and clean and the job I is done with.