NOXIOUS WEEDS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3803, 1 February 1927, Page 13

NOXIOUS WEEDS.

DR TILLY ARD’S REPORT. WELLINGTON, January. 26. “As a result of my studies and inquiries in America and Europe T feel able to state definitely that there is a very good prospect of either partial or. complete control of a. number of pest weeds in New Zealand without exposing the country- to any serious danger in other directions.” This statement was made by Dr A. Tillyard, biologist of the Cawthron Institute. Nelson, in the course of his report to the Government on the result of his observations and iesearches abroad on the subject of noxious weeds and the problem of'controlling them. The report was released for publication by the. Government to day. Dr Tillyard recommends the introduction of certain European and North American beetles which attack the blackberry, although he had not been able to find any insect so far which was effective in attacking the flowers and fruit. The main weight of the attack - must, therefore, be directed towards Iho destruction of the crowns and , stems with a subsidiary attack on the food supply of the plant by the destruction of the leaves. He pointed out that insect con irol of the blackberry carried with it also a menace to the raspberry, unless a certain amount of watchfulness was exercised. The problem confronting Dr Tillyard in the discovery of some method of preventing the seeding of gorse, thereby controlling .it without killing the plant,’ was a special one An insect which would eat out the pods without previously destroying the blossom was highly desirable. Such insects occurred in many areas in England, chiefly on the commons. He recommended the introduction from England of the apion - ' ulicis, a tiny weevil which fed on the gorse without doing much damage,... but whoso larvae fed. inside the qreen pod and destroyed a very large percentage of the seeds. In his opinion this one insect should suffice for the complete control of gorse in New Zealand. Although there were insects which attacked ragwort vigorously and to a extent, successfully, in England, some difficulty is likely to be encountered in acclimatising them in the Dominion. Scarcely any insect were known to feed upon the foxglove, a very poisonous plant, which was likely to become a bad pest in the hilly country in various parts of the Empire, including portions of New Zealand. A small moth, however, attacks the flowers, and the larvae later bores into the seed capsule and prevents seeding to a large extent. Provisional permits have been issued for these insects. - Although at present there seems to be no prospect of the control of convolvulus—by the general opinion of botanists in England and New Zealand, soon to :become a very serious menace—by means of insect enemies, the subject is by no means exhausted. Dr Tillyard was hopeful of controlling the earwig pest' by the introduction of a parasitic fly from abroad. For the control of aphids on the pine, spruce, and oak an attempt was being made to, introduce several species of green lacewings. One large consignment had already been received from Canada and appeared likely to become acclimatised. The question of ■ controlling horntail, which appeared to be rapidly spreading in New Zealand, by the introduction of parasitic insects in infected wood was discussed by Dr Tillyard with' Dr Howard in America, with Danish entomologists, and with Professor Handlirsch, of Vienna, and may be put into practice during the next year or two. The question of the practicability of obtaining and sending to New Zealand supplies of suitable mayflies and caddis flies to augment the' insect faunas of our streams was gone into at some length. The problem of the transport of such delicate insects was one of the greatest difficulties and could not be said to have been effectively solved. FARMERS’ WOOL CHEQUES. LARGE AMOUNTS DISBURSED. WELLINGTON, January 27. To-day was “prompt” for the wool sale held in Wellington on January 12 and 13, and the wool cheques, aggregating approximately £403,000, were posted to growers by the various wpolbrokers. On Tuesday next the Napier woolbrokers will be distributing even a larger amount owing to the bigger catalogue sold in that centre, and on Friday of next week the Wanganui woolbrokers will be distributing about £300,000. These large wool chequep should help business along. The next wool sale to be held in the North Island will be at Wellington on February 1. WOOL ALLOTMENTS. LIMITATION OF OFFERINGS. AUCKLAND, January 27. There is very pronounced indignation in local commercial circles at the announcement that the Wool Committee, which sits in, Wellington and regulates the allotments that may be offered at the various wool sales, had refused to increase Auckland’s allotments. Some of those interested see in this, act of tile Wellington committee an instance of provincial jealousy and they do not hesitate to say quite frankly that * the wool interests in the capital city are straining every nerve to attract to Wellington centre ail the business that can by hock 'or crook .bo obtained from the southern end of this province. In thi s connection ‘the frequency of sales and the better opportunity to dispose promptly of farmers’ produce will naturally .be a determining factor in many cases. Discussing the position Mr H. D. Robin- , son, chairman of the Auckland Wool Brokers’ .Association, explained that the local merchants found that wool was coming to hand in such large quantities that an allotment of 20,000 bales would be insufficient for tho next sale. The local association thereupon took up the matter with the Wellington Committee, which consists of representatives of growers, brokers, and the Government,, asking , for an increase. The committee replied that it would • give tfie matter , full consideration and asked for information relative to the quantity of wool actually in store at the present time, together with ah estimate of the quantity likely to be’ in store on the date of the sale. This information was supplied and .the local association was much surprised to receive a ■ reply that the committee, having fully-con-sidered the position, could hot see its way to made an additional allotment.

Mr Robinson pointed out that there was a period of three months between tho first and the second Auckland, sales, and it was very hard upon growers to have to wait so long a period «fpr . an opportunity to dispose of their . wool. .'■• The hardship was emphasised if wool belonging to growers who had sent it into store .10, days before a sale was to take place could not be offered, ; despite, the good demand that existed. .'. Auckland brokers considered that tnis province was not receiving fair treatment in comparison with other centres, where considerably larger offerings had been - , ade at . recent. sales than were made last year. For instance, at the Christchurch sale in January last 20,034 bales were offered. This year at the corresponding sale 26,000 bales were offered. At the Napier January sale last year 24,642 bales were offered, and this year 30,000. At the Auckland February sale last year the allotment was 20,000 bales, and the actual offerings were 20,295 bales. Despite increased offerings that had apparently been permitted in other centres, Auckland could not obtain an increased, allotment this time, although Napier and Wellington had three sales to Auckland’s one. “Were market conditions different,” added Mr Robinson, “one might understand this curtailment being insisted upon, but when 30,000 bales were submitted at Napier it did not weaken the market. On the contrary, prees were firm.” The view taken by local brokers was that the Wool Committee had been constituted with the idea of controlling the quantities of wool coming on the market when the market was weak. This was quite a good idea, but the position at the present time was quite different. To limit the .catalogue at the Auckland sale would not affect the. values, for the market was firm. The position was very unsatisfactory from the Auckland woolgrower’s point of view. Here he was with his wool in store ready to sell at to-day’s rates, and yet he was not allowed to; but was told instead that he must wait and take his chance with the last sale of the season in March. Mr Robinson concluded by stating that a meeting of the Auckland Woolbrokers’ Association would be held to-morrow, when a strongly-worded resolution would probably be adopted and forwarded to the Wellington committee. HAWKE’S BAY RAM FAIR. HASTINGS, January 27. The Hawke’s Bay t.nnual ram fair was opened to-day in perfect weather, when 3818 Romneys were offered. There was a fair attendance of- buyers. Bidding, which opened eak, improved later, but towards the close many lots were passed in. The balance of the Romneys,, totalling 1909, will be offered to-morrow, as well as various breeds and flocks., Saturday will be devoted to studs. The top. price for Romneys to-day was 13-i guineas for a line of 13 shearlings old on account of Mr David Smith, of Masterton; The total entries are 7537, compared with 6506 last year. ■ . NORTH CANTERBURY CROPS. HEAVY YIELDS ANTICIPATED. CHRISTCHURCH, January 26. A thorough inspection of the crops in all parts of North Canterbury leads to the conclusion that exceptionally high yields will be the rule this season. This applies to the three main cereals—wheat, barley, and oats—while peas also took wonderfully well, and there is every likelihood of another big clover season.’. It is a very long time since the - outlook all round so far as -yields are concerned was as bright as is the £ ase at Present. Much more reliable weather conditions have prevailed of late, encouraging the hope that the cereals will bo harvested in good condition.