THE CALIFORNIAN THISTLE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume X, Issue 4006, 10 January 1888, Page 4

THE CALIFORNIAN THISTLE.

(Lyttelton Times ) The following paper on the Califoniian thistle, which had been prepared by Mr Mnrphy, Secretary of the Association, at the request of the Committee, waaread : "In accordance with instructions from the Committee, I inserted an advertisement in the papers, asking for information regarding the so-called Cilifornian thistle, and offering to forward samples of the plant to anyone not familiar with its appearance. The result has been that I have rtcaived nnmerons applications for specimens ; and not only so, but the cilice has been visited by large numbers of persons interested in the matter. The result has been that several persons have bad the plant growing on their land, who were ignorant of its nature, for several years past. Some of them bave adopted vigorous measures for the prevention of the spread cf the peat, while others leas interested do not seem disposed to trouble their heads much about the matter. As a proof of the prevalence of this noxious weed, I may mention that it is now growing in the following places, and donbtless in many others : Temuka, Longbeach, Asbbnrton, Spriogston, Spreydon, Dnnsandel, Riccsrton, Merivale Lane, the Radcliffe estate (near Chaney's corner), the Harewood road (five acres), and on at least three farms on Kaiapoi Island, and at Governor's Bay. Those who have attempted to eradicate this pest have found that the ordinary method of destroying thistles, viz., ploughing and grubbing and harrowing, rather tends to increase the spread of the weed than to exterminate it. Referring to the Inspector of Thistles' (Californian) report in Tasmania, I find that several farmers, after three yeiri'_ persistent hoeing, sacceded in eradicating the plant. This method appears to have been more successful than that of coveriog over with litter, although the latter answers very well if properly attended to. I would draw your attention to Mr M'Keozie's proposed Thistle Act on the table before yon, providing that farmers shall be compelled to prevent the thistle froom bloom-1 ing. Such a measure may prevent the spread of the plant by saed, but it will in no way prevent its spread on land already Infested. I would submit that the Act does not go far enough. I should, insist on the entire extermination of the plant wherever and in whosever land it may be found growing. This thought ia not original. Referring to the Tasmauian report already referred to, yon will find that the Inspector recommends that in those districts where the thistle has not yet taken complete possession of the soil, its entire eradication shpuld be insisted on, allowing a reasonable time for doing so, say two, or even three, years. The thistle altough widely distributed, has not yet got beyond ns; and in the interests of landowners now is the time to deal vigdrously with the pest in the manner suggested. As directed by tbe Committee, I have submitted the resnlts of my Inquiries on the question to the Government. The thistle, if neglected, will be to the Canterbury farmers what the rabbit has been to the Otago sheep farmers. Mr feather said that it was little nse making a cry abont weeds, when they were being sown throughout the land by the railway tracks. Mr Henderson said that the Government were in the habit of putting refuse Into tracks for packing, and that when this stuff died, the seed blew all over the country. Mr Garforth also epoke strongly on the subject of the spread of gorae, saying that so long as this was allowed, it was no u:e to attempt to exterminate rabbits. From his experience be knew that planting bluegums was the only thing which would keep down the gorse. He thought a committee should be appointed, and that they ehould consider both subjects—that of the spread of. the Californian thistle and the gorse nuisance. He moved, " That Messrs Cunningham, Deans, Garforth, Fergusson, Norman, and feather form a committee to report npon the subject." Tbe motion was carried. A letter from Mr Inwood. of Winchester, stated that the Califomian thistle had appeared on bis farm, and that he had lately noticed a new sort of ffy in the place. A general meeting of the Association was fixed to take place on February -3, to confirm certain rules. The meeting then adjsurned.