CLEARING WEED GROWTH

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 134, 23 June 1937, Page 15

CLEARING WEED GROWTH

Annual Clean-Up Important GISBORNE EXAMPLE An annual clean-up is regarded as the easiest and, in the long run, the cheapest method of clearing weeds. This is suggested by results on some properties in the Gisborne district where the weed problcm has been tackled in a praetical manner, and wbere regular pulling, diggiug and grubbing in all parts of the prpperty bas been undertaken little trouble has been experienced. When weeds are tackled in tbe incipient stage, they do not create a problem. ' Two main reasons have been advanced for the extraordinjary growth of Aveeds, particularly variegated ,'thistle in the Gisborne and coastal districts of recent years. They are a series of wet summers and neglect on the part of farmers. During the depression period, farmers point out, neglect was unavoidable owing, to the inability of maintaining properties on slump prices. Kenewed Activity Now that higher prices are ruling for most forms of produce, farmers in the Gisborne and coastal districts are facing tbeir responsibilities and a determined attack has been marlo on all forms of weeds. Activity hap been renewed now in a wonderful manner. Un tbe Coast large numbers of men are engaged under unemployment scheme 13B for clearing variegated thistle and extensive areas have been attacked. Qn some properties as many as mne and ten men are engaged. This work is being tackled in the autumn because of tbe great growth of the thistle during the past wet summer and aiso to relieve the pressure during the busy spring period. Another light clearing should suffice during tbe spring to keep the properties in order for that season. A Manutuke Exaonple. A Manutuke property is quoted as an example of the effectiveness of clearing work on variegated thistle. Before the clearing commenced there wias an extensive growth, with little room for grass. The place was cleared twice last year, and this year very little work was required. There are examples throughout the district where men, even with weedinfested layds all ?ound them, are able to keep their farms clean by annual cleiarmg of weeds and controlled grazing. Much work was done in the clearing of ragwort throughout the district last season, farmers giving every indication that they realised the serious. ness of the problem and that ragwort had to bo tackled to saye many of the farps. They -realised, too, that if the district was branded as ragwort infestecl the market for the district 's stock in other parts might be affectedThis weed presented a problem only in certain parts of tbe district, but it was tackled effectively, and good cloaranees were made.