SEARCH FOR ERGOT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 33, 8 February 1941, Page 4

SEARCH FOR ERGOT

SCHOOLCHILDREN ACTIVE

APPEAL IN WANGANUI At the instigation of Mr. G, Holgerson, agricultural instructor at the Wanganui Technical College, schoo. and college pupils in Wanganui will be actively engaged this woek-Snd in searching for ergot, ror which an urgent appeal has been made by lh e British Ministry of Health, through the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Marketing. Ergot is a fungus which lives as a parasite on the seed-heads of many grasses, and it provides a number o» valuable drugs, the principal of which Is ergo-metrine. All these drugs are used extensively in hospitals in thi treatment of wounds. Ergot is found particularly in the seed-heads of tall fescue, which grow profusely in many drained swamp areas and along roadsides, and recently Mr. Holgerson spent a full day collecting specimens These were shown yesterday to pupils of the Wanganui Technical College, the Wanganui Intermediate School, and also the Wanganui Girls’ College. As a result of Mr. Holgerson’s visits to these schools, the pupils will search for ergot this week-end. At each schol Mr. Holgerson described the areas where the fescue was likely to be found, and described some ol the uses of ergot. His lectures were particularly helpful and instructive, and it is expected that the efforts of many children may result in a supply of ergot being obtained. Mr. Holgerson stressed that this work must be carried out immediately.

The weather at present is favourable for collecting the seeds from which ergot is extracted, and within two weeks, possibly less, the season will have passed. Swamp localities are particularly productive, and the fescue may also be found on the banks of the Wanganui River. Ergot can be found in the rough grasses, notably of the type which fringe accommodation paddocks. Rye grass is said to yield quite a lot. It is important, however, that the search be made now, as when the seed drops there is little chance of finding ergot. The urgent need for ergot, as part of the war effort, was stressed, and with this object in view many pupils of the three schools will ffe busy during the week-end.