MENACE OF WEEDS.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 February 1935, Page 4

MENACE OF WEEDS.

The remarks of the Eltham County inspector, Mr. H. E. Williams, in regard to the control of noxious weeds, published in yesterday’s issue of the Daily News, were illuminative and interesting. It was satisfactory to note that Mr. Williams saw a diminution over the past few years in the infestations of ragwort and blackberry, and that since the county council took over the supervision and eradication of weeds the farmers have shown willingness to co-operate with the authorities, and are doing good work. The necessity for attention to details in weed eradication was stressed by the inspector. His observations confirm the impression gained from a perusal of the Dairy Commission’s report, namely, that considerable improvement in farm production can be achieved without any great change of policy, or heavy expenditure of capital. It is the attention to detail that often marks the difference between efficiency and inefficiency, and this is evidently the case in regard to the control or elimination of noxious weeds. To clear them where they are dense and yet leave odd plants to spread seed in every direction seems a short-sighted policy, and now that attention, has been drawn to its folly it is to be hoped wiser counsels will prevail. It is quite certain that only continuous and concerted effort will materially reduce noxious weeds throughout Taranaki. Settlers have complained—and with justice—that the State has failed in its duty to keep Crown lands free from weeds, or at least from being a menace to clean land in their neighbourhood. But while they are looking for the removal of the larger sources of infestation landowners must not overlook the smaller but still persistent sources that are nearer home.