DANGER OF HEMLOCK

Putaruru Press, Volume XXI, Issue 1239, 17 July 1947, Page 3

DANGER OF HEMLOCK

COUNTY COUNCIL WARNING Cause Of Losses In Stock One Farmer : Ten-Twelve Yearly A warning regarding the danger of hemlock poisoning to stock was issued by Mr. W. J. Logan, inspector to the Matamata County Council, at the July meeting. Mr. Logan said:— “Recently I came across a case where a farmer had traced his stock losses' to hemlock poisoning. For years he had been losing from 10 to 12 cows annually and attributed the cause to ragwort. However, after investigation following the death of two of his cows, it was found that hemlock was responsible. Until then this farmer was not aware that this weed was on his farm and subsequent grubbing resultedl in 35 bags of hemlock roots being destroyed. “Hemlock can be recognised in its early stages by the resemblance of its foliage to that of the carrot. It is not usual for stock to eat it in this stage owing to its fetid odour, but when grubbed out it wilts and stock will readily eat it with fatal results. Every care should therefore be taken to collect and destroy all grubbed out roots.” Cr. E. D. White (chairman) commented' that the question of hemlock was a serious one. The inspector said that Te Poi settlers had lost cattle. During the winter, cattle ate. roughage, which they would not eat at other seasons, and that was why they ate hemlock. Cr. R. H. Brinbworth said he was surprised l that so many farmers let a strange weed grow. He always got down- on them. Cr. G. H. Verity remarked that hemlock spread quickly as the birds carried' the seeds. Replying to Cr. Wallace, Cr. Brinkworth said that sodium would not kill it. Hemlock had' to be grubbed . and grubbed well down. The seed stopped in the ground for years. The chairman added that it appeared that strong measures and publicity was necessary in view of the danger. If action was not taken now in a few years it would spread l and then it would be a menace like ragwort.