MENACE OF BRACKEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22421, 18 May 1936, Page 12

MENACE OF BRACKEN

'COMBATING IN SCOTLAND ■' ' CUTTING WITH MACHINES. Steps to deal with the growing problem of the invasion of bracken into good agricultural land have been taken in Scotland.. Following the report of a special committee Sir Godfrey Collins, Secretary for Scotland, has decided to offer grants for cutting bracken at, two lieriods in the year. i The first period chosen is from midJune to the first week in July and the second five.or six weeks later, when the plant has grown again and the leaves are;nearly- uncurled. The grants will bo 'offered in the shape of service of two approved types of bracken-cutting ihachraeS. They may take the form of part of the purchase price of the 'machines or the cost of hire. . i It is not only in Scotland that bracken is becoming a menace, in parts .of' England and over large areas of ,Wales it is as bad. Professor B. G Stapledon; Professor of Agricultural Botany at the University College of Wales, estimated that bracken clearing ,111 Wales alone would give \vork to 2000 men for three consecutive seasons, lie cited an inquiry in Radnorshire, where 18 of 22 farms visited weic* under bracken.

Bracken is stealing more grazing lands every year. It has even driven farmers from their homes. Loss of grazing is not the only damage. The harm done by the maggot fly in bracken ebuntrt is just as bad. and a Scottish investigation records how sheep struck by fly disappear in the deep beds of bracken and die without being found by the shepherd or his dog.