CORRESPONDENCE. MORE BLACKBERRIES.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 June 1928, Page 4

CORRESPONDENCE.

MORE BLACKBERRIES.

1 (To the-Editor.) • ■ Sir.-i—l wish' to- draw' the “attention of farmers to a resolution of the Acclimatisation Society last meeting: “Enquiries were to be made regarding the introduction of Californian geese and quail.”' Before importing the quhil I hope strict enquiries will be made in tlie feeding habits of these birds. When on a visit to the Inglewood district, in Taranaki, some years ago,-the gentleman 1 was with drew my attention to a ten-acre paddock covered with small blackberries looking as if they had been drilled in. He informed me that the paddock was-quite free from blackberries before ploughing'but when ploughing (operations were -in progress large flocks of quail were seen following up the furrow after the grass grub and as the quail were not long off their breakfast of blackberry seeds it had a most disastrous result; and, considering the large blackberry bush wo have in Westland, I sincerely hope the Society will think twice before bringing in another pest.

‘ I have no objection to to the importation of geese. No doubt some members of the society are-- - anticipating congenial company for ’Xmas. I am, etc., 'n. H. MONK. Koitefangi, June 18th., 1928.