NOXIOUS WEEDS

Putaruru Press, Volume XXI, Issue 1231, 22 May 1947, Page 7

NOXIOUS WEEDS

INSPECTOR’S REPORT Crown Section At Tokoroa Following tlie reading ol tlie report of the noxious weeds inspector at the May meeting of the Matamata County Council, members discussed the dirty condition of a block of 150 acres at Tokoroa which the Lands Department had stated would not be thrown open for settlement at the present time even though a returned soldier was prepared to take the area over. Members agreed that in view of the fact that the section was a menace to the district, and the returned soldier in question had the implements to handle the area, the suggestion of Cr. J. E. Davidson be adopted, and it was decided to refer the case to the Putaruru Returned Services’ Association for it to take suitable action if it thought fit. The inspector’s report was as follows : The autumn may be termed the “clean-up” period on the farm, and many farmers had taken advantage of the continued fine weather to clear their road frontages of weeds, etc. There are marked evidences on road frontages of the effects of sodium spray on blackberry. The ordinary five per cent, solution (one pound sodium to two gallons of water) has proved effective in knocking back the blackberry, and further spraying should be given when any re-growth appears. This method is easier, quick er and more effective than cutting, which only promotes more vigorous growth. It is a pity that my advice to spray blackberry in February was not given greater effect to, as this would have prevented much of the spread of the seed by birds. The continued mild weather has resulted in odd ragwort plants showing up, and it is again impressed on all that it is essential that all odd plants be collected and destroyed. Neglect of odd plants can easily result in the whole season’s work on ragwort being wasted. Tours Of Inspection : On 29th April Cr Grice accompanied me on a tour of inspection at Peria, and as a result a long-standing complaint is now on the way to a satisfactory conclusionCr. Bruce joined me on a trip around the Whitehall district on Ist May, and we found that considerable development and improvement had been effected in this area.

Young Farmers’ Chibs: I -was privileged to address the members of the Tirau-Okoroire Young Farmers’ • Club on the subject of weeds. It is very encouraging and a happy augury for the future when the young farmers are taking such a keen, interest in this subject, which is of such vital importance in farm economy. Need for Identification ; I am advised by the Plant Research Bureau that the weed specimen submitted last month is “stinkweed.” This weed grows to a height of six to 12 inches and has the appearance of bunches of small prickly leaves at intervals along the stems, and is surmounted by a spiny ball like a large 'bidi-bidi. It can be identified by its unpleasant odour which is similar to that of chamomile. From its nature stock will not touch it, and a close watch will be kept to see that it does not become aggressive.

land and Survey Department Farm, Tokoroa: Further development of the section of the broom country burnt off on the Land and Survey Department farm at Tokoroa has been delayed' through the shortage of fencing wire. Much interest is being taken in the methods adopted at the Land and -Survey development at Whakamaru where manuka and scrub are being crushed and cut up by a caterpiller tractor and a five-ton roller fitted with blades. This appears to be a development of the method used by Mr. E. Howard at Waharoa, who successfully used it on sections to clear heavy gorse.