ERGOT NEEDED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 268, 7 February 1941, Page 5

ERGOT NEEDED

BAY OF PLENTY SUPPLIES

SHOULD BE COLLECTED AT ONCE

- An urgent appeal from the British Government to New Zealand to supply up to 50 tons of ergot has been made, and at the request of the Department of Agriculture an urgent meeting was called in Wellington on January 25, when it was decided that if possible tall fescue from districts such, as Hauralti Plains, Bay of Plenty and all other parts of the North Island with the exception of the pumice country and Hawke's Bay should be collected.

It is suggesting that, if it is, the Boy Scouts, Girl Guides and Women's Auxiliaries be organised to save the seed beforeMt is too late.

At the conference held in Wellington it was arranged that all, members of the Grain and Seed Mer'chants' Association in these districts accept delivery and, If pos-« sible, offer any technical advice required. It was also agreed that 5s per lb be offered for clean, unbroken, dry tall fescue ergot. No payment will be made immediately, as the quality of the ergot has to be determined. Each delivery of Ergot will be weighed .on being brought into store and kept separate. A pro forma credit note, stating the weight of the delivery only, will be issued. It was arranged that comM mission amounting to 10 per cent, of the valuation figure will be paid to those members of the Federation who accepted delivery of the tall fescue ergot.

Central depots are to be arranged at Auckland and Palmerston North and all supplies will be sent to these depots for valuation by officers of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and upon valuation payment Avill be made to suppliers. An appeal to save this seed has been made by Mr Cunningham of the above department.