Ragwort.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 23 August 1916, Page 3

Ragwort.

• I tSome .interesting iaota com/eming ! the lite hitstury of tlie ragwort weed j and suggestions ;u> to the best means j ol eradication, are contributed 'by Al r I*. McGovern to the latest issue of tlio Journal of the Department of Agriculture. His remark** are based oil tlio result of special iiivestigations oil tfie subject, carried out in Ireland during the past few years, and Irani which it was proved that ragwort is a biennial weed, and propagates itself by seeds alone. This fact having been ascertained, the writer then recommend* the following ways by which the weed may be exterminated. First, by grazing infested land with sheep in the winter and early spring; secondly, by cutting' the plants in tlie flowering stage. Two cuttings can be made, the first early in July and second about six weeks later, there being 110 necessity to gather up the cut portions; but if one cutting alone is made, this should bo done late in July or early in August, and tlie cut portions of the plant gathered up at once and destroyed by burning. A third way suggested is by pulling the plants, if circumstances permit, preferable early in July, when there i.s 110 need to collect and burn tliem. If pulled later the plants should be destroyed to prevent seeding. It is .most important to remember that since ragwort is a biennial plant it is absolutely necessary 011 a pasture land to carry out cutting or pulling during two successive seasons. Further, since it. is nrne+icnllr certain Hint H"m

since it is practically certain rna* the seeds of ragwort, like those of charlock, poppy, and some other 'plants, may lie tinned in the soil (although .still retaining their vitality) for sonic time, it must be remembered that any fanning operations which may bring these seeds to the surface will resii'lt in their germination. and :> crop of ragwort derived from sueh .seeds is not an infrequent occurrence on land newly laid down in grass. Finally owing; to (be ease with which the .seed of ragwort is distributed by the wind, the re-seedlut of land temporarily cleared of it in an easy matter when the plant is allowed to flourish and produces its seed on neighbouring laiul. There is. therefore, the .strongest reason for .scheduling this plant as a noxious weed all over the country and for throwing the responsibility for its eradication on the shoulders of all those who possess or occupy land.