THE CALIFORNIAN THISTLE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1725, 27 December 1887, Page 3

THE CALIFORNIAN THISTLE.

A considerable amount ot attention has of late been directed to the Californian Thistle. Early m the year a report by the late Mr VV. de G. Reeves, of the Agricultural Department, laid on the table of Representatives, first called attention to the fact that this dreaded and noxious weed had made itself homes m several parts of the colony. Letters and articles have appeared m many of the provincial papers, but we have seen no attempt at description of the plant until we met with the following m the " South Canterbury Times " :— " It is a peculiar looking plant, having none of the picturesque appearance that characterises its Scottish brother, but beiDg remarkably ill-favored. Its long stalk bears large flabby leaves and an abundance of prickles. Its distinguishing characteristic, however, is the length of its roots. These snaky succulent things grow with great rapidity, and spread themselves underground m a wonderfully short period, and m time defy all efforts to remove them. Instances are on record of land being rendered valueless m the course of a year or two by the luxuriant growth of this plant, and farmers m South Canterbury should keep their eyes open for its appearance hers, for it will surely drive them out of the field altogether, if it makes a home m this district." From different accounts we have read this thistle seems a great deal more formidable a foe than its Scotch namesake and more difficult to eradicate. One writer asserts that m its original home on the shores of the American lakes its roots penetrate to a depth of ten feet or more, where practicable. If we remember rightly, soon after the Scotch thistle made its appearance m the colony, an Act was passed by the Provincial Council whereby owners or occupiers of land were liable to a heavy penalty if they allowed the thistle to blossom on their lands. In the House of Representatives this last session Mr T. Mackenzie introduced a similar measure dealing with the California weed, but whether the Bill perished m " ihe slaughter of the innocents " or not, we cannot teU, we certainly do not see it m the list of ' the Acts which have received the Royal assent. By "The Counties Act, 1886," County Councils are empowered , to deal with the matter. Clause 292 1 provides as follows ;— " The Council 1 may, from time to time, contribute out 3 of the general funds of the county 1 such sum or sums of money as it may be deemed necessary to expend for the purpose of eradicating or preventing the spread of any noxious weed or plant ; and before enforcing, or con- ( currently with the enforcement of any by-Jaw made for such purpose, shall use all necessary means to eradicate such weed or plant from all roads, river-beds, reserves, and lands under the control of the county." These I ] powers should be sufficient, still we « hope to see a Bill passed next session 1 similar to the one introduced by Mr 1 Mackenzie as it makes it compulsory on occupiers of land to cut the thistles j down before flowering, thus preventing lands at a distance being infested with « this terrible pest. 1