THE RAGWORT MENACE.

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1607, 14 February 1925, Page 4

THE RAGWORT MENACE.

RECENTLY a Wanganui paper drew attention to a statement that the seeds of the ragwort weed were being carried down theWanganui River from the King Country, and were being deposited on the banks of the lower reaches of the river. This may or may not be so, but the fact is undeniable that ragwort is flourishing in the King Country and adjacent districts north and south to-day; and a determined attempt should be made to stamp it out. The farmers in the King Country have enough to fight against already without this menace. A correspondent informs our Taumarunui contemporary that he knows of a case where seventy sheep were found dead from ragwort poisoning. 'He alleges that the sheep fatten on ragwort for a time, but that eventually it will poison and kill the animals. Ragwort, unfortunately, is a weed that is spread by the wind, so that the farmer who takes the trouble to keep it in check suffers from the carelessness of his neighbour who does not bother to try and stamp it out. Judging by the yellow blaze of ragwort blooms in parts of the district at present, little attempt is being made to check the weed. It was announced from Te Kuiti last year that a. certain species of caterpillar had been discovered in the district that was killing the ragwort over wide areas. A visit to Te Kuiti a few days ago disclosed numerous extensive patches of the yellow peril blooming just as vigorously and malignantly as in former years. Doubtless the state of affairs is as bad, if not worse, in the King Country districts situate at a distance from the railway line, particularly on Maori-owned land. The Taumarunui Press says: “ In their own interests it would pay farmers to call meetings and discuss means of keeping the weeds in check and of dealing with those who are too careless or too lazy to take measures against its spread. Perhaps it would be a good idea if the matter were put in the hands of the member for the district. Only drastic ceasures will bring a remedy.” The only part of the foregoing that we agree with is the final sentence.' Landholders would be better advised to themselves eradicate the cursed weed from their properties and also from roadsides along their frontages. Then, and not till then, they can “ kick' up a shine ” about the Crown lands and native lands. Admittedly the two latter classes of land are the worst, as regards ragwort, but every farmer in the King Country and neighbourhood has ragwort growing on his land. Very few of them take any steps to check its spread. There does not seem a million to one chance that the ragw jrt will exterminate itself or even become inocuous. Thus pulling up and burning before it blooms appear to be the only effective remedies. Perhaps a few prosecutions of landholders by the Department of Agriculture would oe helpful. We have no desire to suggest anything that would penalise the genuine farmer, but there is legislation to compel the neglectful landowner to cease perpetuating a curse on a neigh--1 our.