RAGWORT

Hokitika Guardian, 28 April 1930, Page 5

RAGWORT

EFFORTS AT ERADICATION.

(By Telegraph—Pres# Association)*

CALMER*!ON N., April 28

Promising to sound the death-knell cf ragwort, a revolutionary method of control by spraying has been evolved by the Fields Division and Plant Research Station at Palmerston North. An announcement to this effect was made to-day by Mr J. W. Deem (director), who emphasised the merits of the discovery and stated that tests concluded resulted in the complete eradica. tion of the yellow weed, which was such a menace to stock. Simple of application, the new spray is stated to he noil-poisonous to stock, and as cheap ais it is effaoacious.

Continuing his statement, Mr Deem says during the past six months he has been testing the merits of sodium chlorate and calcium chlorate for the control of the weed with gratifying resulks. Where properly applied the chemicals gave one hunderd per cent of kills. Additional to- the control of ragwort, they appear equally efficient in the control of penny-roval, St. John’s wort, the eye daisy and many of the other soft leaved weeds, while there are indications it will considerably help in the control qf Californian thistle and similar weeds, but further research will be necessary before reliable information will be available in respect to .the latter weeds.

Outlining the experiments in a statement, he says the best results are obtained when the plants are yotmg. Rag. wort is best treated wften.from 8 to 9 inches high. The areas at this stage treated in October have shown no !sign of recovery. Older ragwort plants right up to the flowering stage were equally, well destroyed, but a great deal more, time and material was required to cover the plants.

Regarding the strength of the spray he stated 4 to 5 per cent, strength gives the best all round results but two and a-lmlf per cent given excellent results.

Calcuim chlorate, being a liquid was applied as a spray. Sodium chlorate was tested both as a spray and in a dry state. The latter method was equally effective where the crystals were ap]p|ied> fliiect to the ..weed, .but it :was a ‘gireat dpi more costly, both as regards time' and cost of material. Therefore spraying was recommended in general -work.;.'] '■} J V tj •■: !.f|. ■ p;' WhiMboth;cMpratesjhafe done jexeellenif. jyork, jve; ccjfisider; jsodium gives the better result!*. The question of'which to use greatly depends on the cost of material and convenience of' transport.