CONTROL OF RAGWORT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20623, 23 July 1930, Page 17

CONTROL OF RAGWORT.

USE OF SODIUM CHLORATE.

GOOD RESULTS EXPECTED.

METHOD TO BE DEMONSTRATED. A nt-w era in the control of ragwort is apparently being entered upon with the discovery of the efficacy of sodium chlorate as a spray. According to officers of the Department of Agriculture in Auckland the new method has been amply proved and all that remains is to apply it adequately in the weed-infested areas. Farmers are showing interest and it is considered that next year most of tho farms which are now growing ragwort should present a very different appearance from that of recent times.

Tho Department of Agriculture does not intend to supply sodium chlorate, but lias received information that supplies will be available in Auckland at about the end of July at the following prices:— For quantities under lewt., 7d a lb.; up to 2cwt., 6d a lb.; over 2cwt., 5d a lb. Officers of the Agricultural Department will be engaged during the next few weeks in demonstrating to farmers the best method of applying the spray (o ragwort. For this purpose a sufficient quantity of sodium chlorate is being supplied to the noxious weeds inspectors in all the districts in the Auckland province where ragwort is causing trouble. This new method is regarded as being much superior to cutting and pulling the plants, for a number of reasons. Tho chief of these is that plants which have been sprayed die, whereas cutting leaves the roots to grow again, necessitating a constant succession of cuttings to keep the weed in check. Another important advantage of the spraying is that it can be carried out early in tho spring, before the busiest period of farm work has begun.

The department intends to do everything possible to instruct farmers in the use of sodium chlorate. If tho expected cooperation of landholders in the attack on ragwort is forthcoming, it is expected that areas now infested by the weed will show a marked improvement during the coming year and that the control of ragwort where it is only thinly scattered over pastures will also be greatly simplfied.