MEANS OF ERADICATING CALIFORNIAN THISTLE.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 22 February 1917, Page 3

MEANS OF ERADICATING CALIFORNIAN THISTLE.

A. novel means of eradicating this pest has been brought to light in quite an unpremeditated manner. A Canterbury farmer, whose farm is more or less infested with thistle, laid a small pasture down in lucerne, with some misgivings, he confessed, in view of its condition owing to the prevalence of the thistle. The district being one favourable to the growth of lucerne, there was a good strike, and to his satisfaction he noted that the thistle seemed to be held thoroughly in check. ' As the crop thickened, establishing itself more firmly, and several cuttings were taken off the field, there was no mistaking the fact that it was gradually crowding the thistle out, plainly showing that the passing of another year or two would see its complete extinction. This belief, as subsequent events have proved, was not ill-founded, and at the present time he is unable to find any of the patches that were once so noticeable. This discovery should proye extremely useful in cleaning small paddocks where anything in the way of intensive farming is undertaken, Where the soil an 4 working conditions admitted to this course being taken, it would save a tremendous amount of labour, and, while being a simple expedient in coping with a difficulty, would encourage the growing of a crop which would be of inestimable value to th§ farm.