WEEDS IN DRAINS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20074, 11 October 1928, Page 17

WEEDS IN DRAINS.

COPING WITH PROBLEM. VALUE OF SHELTER BELTS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.! PAEROA, Wednesday. The control and the removal of weed growths in drains has long proved a costly matter to districts with drainage problems. As the result of a visit to the Rangitaiki Plains last week by Mr. 0. G. Thornton, resident engineer to the Public Works Department, Auckland, Mr. Robinson, of the Ohincmuri County Council, and Mr. G. Buchanan, of the Netherton Drainage Board, it is thought a solution of tho difficulty of weed control in drains has bet-n found for the Hauraki Plains and neighbouring areas. This briefly lies in tho planting of belts of shelter trees which will shade tho drains and prevent the growth of weeds and thickets involving costly clearing operations. The party visited the farm of Mr. E. Reynolds, whose keenness for afforestation has carried him to plant miles of trees on both sides of the drains of his extensive holding. Iri every caso the drains are entirely free from weed growths. Mr. Reynolds has selected three varieties of trees, eucalyptus saligna, eucalyptus McCarthusii, and eucalyptus viminallis as being the most suitable for the purpose. 110 prefers the first-named species, because it has a clean trunk and (hops very little bark or other growth. All three withstand frost and flooding to a reasonable degree, and are recommended by the Forestry Department for their timber quality. Mr. Reynolds advocates the planting of rows three deep on both sides of drains about 6ft. to Bft. from tho edge. 110 pointed out one belt which had grown 30ft. in 30 months. Mr. Thornton, who is fully conversant with the drainage problems of tho Hauraki ami Ohinernuri areas, advises tho planting off trees, preferably tlm eucalyptus saligna or macrocarpa variety, on one side of tho drain only. 110 is confident that when its value is more fully realised the growing of trees along drainage routes will be universally adopted.