WEEDS CONTROL.

Western Star, 2 November 1917, Page 2

WEEDS CONTROL.

The Department of Agriculture is. of the opinion that an efficient weeds survey of the Dominion is greatly needed to give the headquarters staff a comprehensive grasp of the incidence of - the several plant pests that are so greatly retarding the development of agricultural production. The work has been put in hand, and is to be carried out as rapidly as possible. Upon the completion of this work research and experimental work with a view to bringing practical methods of control before the farmers is to be undertaken on a considerable scale 1 , it being abundantly evident that the mere annual cutting of weeds is not the ultimate solution of the problem, and, is moreover, entirely impracticable in many parts of the country. It is recognised that during the war farmersi are in many cases severely hampered in their efforts to meet the requirements of the inspectors xmder the Act, and these officers, are therefor© using the utmost discretion in this matter, but the Department is strongly of the opinion that to permit the Act to be entirely in abeyance during tfte war would be a. mistake, as much of the good work already accomplished would undoubtedly he sacrificed'.