BLACKBERRY ERADICATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 October 1928, Page 12

BLACKBERRY ERADICATION.

The statement made by the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. O. J. Ilawken) in regard to. the eradication of blackberry was not very cheering. It will be welcomed as showing that the Department of Agriculture is vigorously prosecuting inquiry into means, of controlling the evil, and that it is prepared to test any specific that may hold promise of helping in this direction. Experiments to date have not been as successful as could be desired. Certain arsenical sprays used by the department have proved of some value, but their success depends upon the degree of skill with which they are applied. The response to the Government’s offer of a bonus of £10,660 for any preparation .which would eradicate the weed has not had the desired result. Certain specifics have been submitted, but on test by the department were not found suitable. Mr. Ilawken is exceedingly cautious in regard to the experiments being made by the Cawthron Institute with the hope of .finding some insect that will destroy blackberry. Success along these . lines is, to use bis own .words, “highly pro-, blematical,” ll© admits that entomologists have succeeded, in controlling pests by this means in other countries, Queensland’s experience with prickly pear being one of the most notable, but the Minister is convinced that undue reliance upon this method of destroying the pest is unwise. It is evident that all that careful husbandry and judicious manipulation of stock can do will still bo required to keep the weed out of clean country and control it as far as possible where it is already established. Given all that can be done in this direction the question still remains unanswered of what is to be done with the large areas of vacant land which are infested with blackberry and other noxious weeds. Mr. Ilawken has done wisely in making the position clear. There is no easy way of controlling blackberry in sight yet. A good deal can bo done by tree-planting, but this entails work and attention until the trees are well established. The theory that goats would clear country of the weed has been largely abandoned. In some eases they may have assisted, but, to put it plainly, it is only when they are obliged to eat it or die of starvation that goats will eat blackberry. It is an open question whraier the mischief they do in other directions does not outweigh any merits they possess as weed destroyers. For the farmer with clean country there must be ceaseless vigilance, and for the one whose land is infected there must bo no cessation of efforts to control and reduce the pest. That is the only deduction possible from the statement made by Mr. Hawkcn.