PASTURES ATTACKED

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 66, 22 March 1929, Page 6

PASTURES ATTACKED

PEST APPEARS AT CARDIFF. OAT CROP RUINED. A caterpillar which has caused havoc to oat crops in the South Island, but which hitherto has not caused trouble to any extent in the North Island, has made its appearance at Cardiff. A paddbek of oats was completely stripped in two days, only the stems being left standing. When the oats were finished the hordes of pests attacked the pasture on an adjoining farm, where they stripped the ground, leaving a stretch as bare as though a fire had been through it. The Inspector of Stock, Mr Harris, was advised, and he has communicated with the Fields Division of the Department of Agriculture. Mr Harris advises farmers whose ■.pastures is attacked to run a roller ever it. Hundreds of starlings have made their appearance in the district, and they may have the effect, of clearing out the caterpillars.