TALL FESCUE MENACE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5101, 16 March 1927, Page 2

TALL FESCUE MENACE.

. £To the Editors Sir, —I, have read with interest several articles, in your paper on the tall fescue menace. Having to battle against its encroachment for many years, I have naturally studied the problem of fescue eradication and its control 'from many aspects, and am ready to learn of any new method. Perhaps my experiences may be of use to some of your readers. To begin with, the surest method cf control is cultivation (without allowing to seed) during the hottest m°ntjis of the year. Before cultivation can be successful the ground must be well drained to make the soil friable, otherwise the soil will not break up t'i expose the roots to the sun. Once t.he soil is clear and sown down, care should be taken that cattle are not driven through a fescue paddock when the seed is falling (especially on a wet day) into the clean pasture If there is any risk of reseeding paspalum should be sown to 'form a thick sward and let go to seed in the autumn until it is firmly established. As far as eradicating the pest from drain banks, where it is very thick, •ffir on roadsides, it is almost impossible, as digging off is never very permanent on account of small pieces being left. Of course, it can be done by persistent manual labour. ' To check the further spread of 'fescue paspalum seed should be sown in the immediate vicinity, preferably in the spring, on top of the ordinary grass. Tire main paints to remember are: (1) The ground must be well drained ; (2) thorough cultivation during the hottest months ; (3) it must not be allowed to seed before or during cultivation ; (4) establishment, of paspalum, if nt all subject to reseeding by 'fescue from outside sources. A. F. T.