ERADICATING WEEDS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 145, 25 July 1914, Page 12

ERADICATING WEEDS.

A NEW SPECIFIC. A responsible official of the Agricultural Department recently stated that the noxious weed curse cost the farmers of the Dominion a million sterling yearly. There are immense areas throughout New Zealand where, the blackberry pest has got a hold of the land. Californian, thistles have also a big hold of many parts of the country. Certainly thousands of pounds have been expended in cutting them with more or "less ineffectual results. »Numerous specifics have been placed upon the market at various times that have been warranted to kill noxious weeds of all descriptions, but the Agricultural Department was never able to award the substantial sum they have at various times offered for a' specific to effectually and permanently eradicate blackberries and Californian thistles. Yesterday afternoon a number of leading citizens witnessed a private demonstration of the application of a specific patented by Mr W. Wheelband, a nurseryman formerly of Temuka. This preparation was applied to a particularly well-grown and healthy prickly pear—the bane of the Queensland farmer. Unlike most preparations of the kind, it is applied to the upper portion of the plant and does not aim at the roots. The plant assimilates the dressing which evidently effects the sap, causing it to die off. The party were shown some blackberries at Lancaster Park that had been treated in September last, and there were unquestionably no signs of life in the plants, the roots being quite dead. Mr Wheelband treated some blackberries, Californian thistles, and gorse under the supervision of the Agricultural Department's officers, and though only a few w r eeks have elapsed since the preparation was applied, it certainly promises to fulfil expectations. A company is in course of formation in Christchurch to place Mr Wheelband's preparation on the market. It is easily applied, being lightly sprayed over the plant with an ordinary spray pump. Evidently there is excellent prospects for this specific.