VARIEGATED THISTLE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 59, 10 March 1936, Page 6

VARIEGATED THISTLE

GROWTH IN WANGANUI AGRICULTURAL DIRECTOR'S CONCERN LETTER TO WAITOTARA COUNTY "As you are no doubt aware, variegated thistle is becoming a very serious menace in the Wanganui and surrounding districts, large areas of all classes of land being affected,” stated a leter from the Director-General oi Agriculture received at yesterday meeting of the Waitotara County Council. It was decided to hold thf matter over until July when a special meeting is being held to discuss the matter of noxious weeds in the county. "During recent years these areas of land have increased to an enormous extent, and in the past very little seems to have been done toward eradicating it or preventing it from spreading,” stated the letter. "This thistle grows rapidly and seeds freely, individual plants in. some cases covering over a square yard of land, completely destroying all grasses, and, if allowed to grow freely, will eventually be, a cause fnr much concern, among farmers without taking into consideration the loss which would be involved both to the farmer and the country. Several local authorities have realised the seriousness of the infestation of this plant and have taken steps to have it declared a noxious weed in order to control its spread, but it is considered that the time is opportune for the declaration of this weed as a noxious weed under the Noxious Weeds Act in all the counties where it has taken hold. ’ ’ Cr. A. R. Richardson expressed the opinion that there would be very little variegated thistle next year. Its growth last year had been stimulated by the extremely dry went her. 'J his year there had been little of the weed in evidence owing to the good growth of grass. The drought had undoubtedly assited the growth of the wood. Cr. A. A. Winwood said he was opposed to variegated thistle being declared a noxious weed until steps were taken for a greater measure of control over the existing schedule of noxious weeds. Alembers were opposed to the declaration of the weed as a noxious weed.