NOXIOUS WEEDS CONTROL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19658, 9 June 1927, Page 15

NOXIOUS WEEDS CONTROL.

RESEARCH IN DOMINION. WORK AT CAWTHRON INSTITUTE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Matters of importance concerning the research work the Dominion is undertaking in regard to the noxious weeds problem, were discussed at a meeting of the special committee of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Kesearch, which deals with this subject. Professor H. B. Kirk presided. Insects which attack blackberry, it was stated, would be shipped in due course to New Zealand from the south of France, for testing at the C'awthron Institute. Dr. R. J. Tillyard reported that the erection of the new, large inseetary which was being constructed especially for the blackberry-attacking insects, was progressing rapidly. It would be ready for use next July. It was decided to apply for permits to introduce a number of insect species for trial in insectaries at the Cawthron Institute. Among those species would be insects which might prove to be enemies of piri piri, or bidi bidi. It was considered that the Andean highland ol South America should be investigated as a likely source of piri piri parasites. Further tests, it was decided, would be carried out with the ragwort moth, which had promised so well at the Cawthron Institute during the past season. In the event of the tests proving satisfactory, it was decided that supplies of the insect would be liberated in ragwort-infested districts, probably early in 1928. It was announced that the Australian Government had decided to place a research student, Mr. ,J. W. Evans, at the Cawthron Institute for special training under Dr. Tillyard. Mr. Evans would probably engage in some phases of the noxious weed control work. It was stated also that a contract had been let for the erection of a compact entomological laboratory at the Cawthron Institute. The new building would provide better facilities for Dr. Tillyard and his staff for the active pursuit of research into the insect enemies of New Zealand's worst noxious weeds.