N OXIOUS WEEDS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 15, 18 September 1913, Page 5

N OXIOUS WEEDS.

DOCKS AMD DAISIES.

BUTTERCUPS AND BIDDIBID3.

A petition signed by nine residents of Pembroke Road was presented at yesterday’s meeting of the County Council, asking the Council to declare buttercups,' daisies, docks and biddibids noxious weeds.

Mr T. Cuthhert, one of the signatories, attended to support the petition. He said farmers could not produce the greatest quantity of the finest quality of produce if their land was infested with weeds. The weeds mentioned were running all over the country and in tinfe would force the farmers right oft’ their land. On hie own section lie had dealt with the buttercups, which were very hard to get out. If buttercups were not checked it would take £SO an acre to eradicate them later on. There were only a few biddibids about at present, but they wore on the mountain, and every tourist who came down brought a few seeds with him. In dealing with daisies it took a ton of salt to kill a

chain of them. The sooner the Council took the matter in hand the better it would he for the country. He had taken up the question of. these weeds fifteen years ago. Settlors had tried ploughing them in. hut this had not been effective. On his own land lie had hoed down buttercups as soon as they appeared, but still they throve. He had been working for twenty years trying to get rid of docks which had spread to his land from other farms. Cr. Smith: Are you not asking foi rather a big thing? Mr Cuthhert: Is it not a big thing if we should all starve? Cr. Smith reiterated that Mr Cutlihert was asking for too much. Mr Cuthhert said people let their cattle oat -weeds. The cows became ill and the farmer gave them drenches. The cows got worse, and the vet was called in. And if, finally, the cows died, the farmers said they were no good, and did not blame the real cause of the trouble—the weeds. The Chairman: The Council will consider the matter-later on.

Mr Cuthbert: If any Councillor wishes to ask any question on the matter I will be pleased to answer him.

The Chairman: I think the Council thoroughly understand the wish of the petitioners. Mr Cuthbert then retired. Cr. Walters said that if buttercup was declared a noxious weed hundreds of farmers would be ruined —they would have to go off the land. Cr. Christoff el moved that the Conn'll could not see its way to take any action in the matter.

Cr. Smith seconded. Those settlers who were seriously worried by buttercup could secure the services of Mr Cuthbert to clear their land. The motion was carried.