BIRD PEST IN SOUTH CANTERBURY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2666, 11 January 1916, Page 8

BIRD PEST IN SOUTH CANTERBURY

( ' The small bird nuisance lias this year j assumed a serious aspect in the South Canterbury district (states the Timaru '"Post"), and the matter was informally i discussed by the members of the Levels j County Council. It was stated _ that ■ this' year was the worst yet experienced by farmers as regards the bird nuisance, i and that although various means had j beeii; resorted to in order to cope with 'the pest, tho birds increased in num!bers instead of diminishing. Shooting i them off the crops was only waste of i time, and purchasing eggs and lieads ?was only spending money with no adequate result. It was suggested that the ,'best means of abating 'the nuisance was :by laying poison, and that every farmer 1 should bo compelled to lay poison on ibis property during June, July, and ilAugust, as it was during these months •that the birds would take it more 'readily. Birds, it was stated, were now !a greater nuisance than the rabbits in .'some parts of the district, as they atitacked'not only grain, but also the tur|nip and rape crops. A! number of crops of both wheat and ;oats are now to be 6een in stook in various parts of South Canterbury (says the. Timaru - "Herald"). While _ the : straw is very short, and tho grain is not well headed, the heads are bettor .than it was expected they would be, tin view of'the dry weather which they ■have come through. , - ■

' There has been a ereat demand for the oelebrated Victor cheese vat during,the past few months; anyone requiring new vat 3. are urged to write immediately to . the maker,, as material is extremely •ohort. Albert J. Parton, Carterton.—Advt.