Page 8 Advertisements Column 1

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 380, 20 August 1903, Page 8

Leaflet Tor Farmers THE RAGWEED, RAGWORT, (JIAXT GROUNDSEL (Setueio jacobctu). By T. W. Kirk, F.L.S., &c, Government Biologist. a ASSSb - < A Root Leaf, Natural Size.—(Original). Under the name of " roewort," " ragweed " or " giant groundsel," this specimen of Scnecio is unfortunuely but too well known, especially in the southam portion of the colony. It is a handsome plant-, growing from Ift. to 6ft. in height. The leaves, both ront and stem, arc much divided ; this may be seen by a glance at the illustrations. The h.udsome yellow flowers are carried in dense masses at the top of the branches. Portions of Stems, flu-wing Flowers, Buds and Stem Leaves.—(Original) Ragwort occupies many square miles of rich country in {southland, and,, being a free seeder, has rapid >y spread and is still spieading throughout the Colony. It is propagated both by teed ami roots. The peculiar fa'al complaint am-.njjst horse* known as the " Wi»t©n disease" was attributed to this weed, and it was state i that no cases, of the disease appeared except where ngwoit was growing, Ou ttie other hand, it was also admitted that the plant occupied very large ureas over which horses ' and cattle graze with impunity. I have hitherto opposed the ragwort theory, pointing out that both in the United Kingdom and in this colony the young plants were kept down by feeding off with sheep ; that larger stock would not eat it save possibly a few leaves by the merest accident; thar I bad examined mrcra'copically th* contents of the stomach of a htr-e which had died of '• Winton disease," and the ex&eta of horses suffering from iu.it, complaint, but without finding any trace of ragweed. " Wi-iton diseaas " uas puzzled tua veterinarians for many years (vide Annual Reports of this Department, 1894, and each j gobs* quent year). Mr GiUuth has continued his researches una expeiiments and the conviction is growing in his mind that after aiJ ragwort is at the bottom of all the trouble. , Whether this Senecio does or dees not cause the death of hwgfe9 and cattle, there can be no doubt that it inflicts Meat loss on farmeis *.r< dually but surely taking possession of much good land. There is scarcely a district is the colony from which I have not leceived specimens, and fry jln each year by year comes the complaint that the weed is spieading. 'i'he eainines of large areas oF land are reduce- from 25 to 7H |„t cent, by th/. pretence of this one weed. Yet till last season nothing was do.ie to check \ts advance 1 am frequently asked, What can be done to keep it under control« Where it is possible to keep infested pastmes well stored with sheep while the plant is young, no trouble will be experience I ; tbvy, as already mentioned, wiU keep thH pest in subj et -, \\ B „ 0 thi. ; c oc bo adopted, recou.se must be had to frequent cu>tmg Oefore uj 0 p lau: ho .-,, ..,.[ prevent leaves crowuiir this will be effective. ° fc '