NOXIOUS WEEDS

Putaruru Press, Volume XXI, Issue 1236, 26 June 1947, Page 7

NOXIOUS WEEDS

IN MATAMATA COUNTY Folly Of Delayed Treatment Reporting to tile Matampta County Council on tlie noxious weed position, Mr. W. -J. Logan stated : ‘At this season of the year there are numerous changes in farm personnel, and 1 am taking every opportunity to make it clear to newcomers that the county provides a service which is at all times available to them in respect to the handling of their weed problems. For the ragwort, the standard mixture of sodium live per cent, and lime is definitely established, and it has this advantage that it can be mixed and kept on hand to be used as weather conditions permit. The importance of an early start on ragwort treatment cannot be overemphasised ; whilst the grass is short the ragwort plants are easily found and can be treated with a minimum of labour and material- The folly of delayed treatment was amply demonstrated last season, when those who had left the ragwort were badly caught during harvesting, when casual labour was at a premium. In paddocks badly infested with ragwort it is recommended that a mixture of sodium and lime, in the ratio of 21 pounds of sodium to 100 pounds of lime, can be applied through the topdresser, the shuffle type preferably. It has been found by experience that the 2i per cent, mix applied in this way is very effective, and whilst the small quantity of sodium is sufficient to destroy toe ragwort it has no deleterious effect on the pastures, which recover much more rapidly than where the stringer mixture is used. Sodium in this strength can be used when liming, and in some cases it has teen used when manure topdressing with excellent results. Flowering ragwort is not much in evidence just now, but all odd plants should be scrupulously collected and destroyed.

Road Frontages: Good work continues to be done by some farmers 5 on their road frontages and it is expected that the enhanced appearance will result in others following the good example set. Blackberry and Gorse: A more general use of sodium spray is noticeable, especially along the , road frontages. The sodium solution of i!.b of sodium to two gallons of water is becoming popular, not only for its efficiency but also for the saving of time and labour, two considerable items in farm economy today. Tho-se farmers who have neglected to spray their blackberry as advised will now be compelled to cut their vines before they make fresh root. In this they -have only themselves to blame as ample warning has been given. This is the opportune time to tackle gorse and broom, and I have advised farmers to work back from the paddocks to the gullies. Where odd plants of goi-se and (broom appear, a few minutes with a shapp spade -Will .save much hard labour later if neglected. Sodium Stocks: The increasing popularity in the use of sodium will serve to create a greater demand f Vr this material. ’Apart from the fi e ' hazard, sodium is safe for steak in either dry or liquid form. Farmers are advised to secure their stocks for the soming season from their merohamlta. The question of future supplies of this commodity is always uncertain 'in these days, and it is advisable to give suppliers early indication, of probable requirements. Young Farmers’ Clubs: I was privileged to te invited to the meeting of the Turanga-o-moana Young Farmers’ Club on May 27 and received an attentive hearing from a good attendance of members.