THE RAGWORT MENACE.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18229, 17 January 1931, Page 5

THE RAGWORT MENACE.

ALARM AT MORRINSVILLE. RAPID SPREAD OF WEED. (Special to Times.) MORRINSVILLE, Saturday. The rapid spread of ragwort throughout the district is causing farmers considerable alarm. Unfortunately, the smallness of the butter factory cheques prevents farmers dealing with the weed in the vigorous way necessary at this season of the year, and it is feared that in many places plants will be allowed to go to seed and thus increase the trouble. Spraying with sodium chlorate is said to be quite effective in lulling the plants, and can be done with a very reasonable outlay of labour and money when there are only a few scattered plants on a farm; but when the plants are in thousands, as they are doing on some farms, it is a very serious matter. Something will have to. be done, and now is the time to do it. IN THE MATAMATA DISTRICT. POSITION WORSE' THAN EVER. VIGOROUS WAR WAGED. (Special to Times.) MATAMATA, Saturday. The engineer’s report to the Matamata Council stated: A vigorous wai with sodium chlorate has been wageu against ragwort on all-country properly. All sections are now being gone over for the second 'time this season. Ther however, an alarming amouni of i pernicious weed on private lands ... many parts of the country: and whilst the matter does not perhaps come within my province I fee. it incumbent upon me to call attention to a state of things which is a greate: menace to the welfare for the counto than anything else. The position is infinitely worse than it has ever been, and can only be met by immediate concentration upon it.