NOXIOUS WEEDS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1367, 27 February 1915, Page 4

NOXIOUS WEEDS.

MR. W. H. FIELD URGES GOVERNMENT ACTION.

Mr W. H. Field, M.P. for this constituency, has forwarded- the following communication to the Prime Minister, as Minister for Agriculture :

‘“When in Parliament before, I constantly complained that suffi dent attention was not being paid in this young country to the enormous development of the noxious weed evil. My efforts, and those of other members, were attended with some good results, but it must be plain to everyone who travels throughout our country districts that the area overrun by weeds is fast increasing. In some places they have got absolutely beyond control, and would cost much more to eradicate than the land is worth. The only hope in these cases is to prevent their further spieading, and to encourage the natural enemy where oue is known to exist. With respect to Canadian or Cali forniau thistle, which is regarded many as our worst weed, it is satisfactory to note that many lartners report instances of its diminishing where a year or two ago it bad complete possession. In my own experience I have noted that iu some localities much less of it is now growing than was the case several years ago, and this though no serious attempt has to eradicate it. I am also informed that foxglove has been known to decrease, and almost disappear, in places wheie it has had full sway for some years. These matters are, I understand, at present being investigated by Mr A. H. Cockayne, Government Biologist, who is taking a deep interest in the subject. II ?t least some of onr weed? ajp J.d lo have their day and then cL .ppear, the fact will afford mt ch consolation tl> farmers. But some of the worst of our weeds are spreading rapidly, aud there has been no appearance of either diminution or a natural enemy. I refer particularly to blackberry, which I regard as the worst of all weeds, and which is a serious menace lo the prosperity of the country. A complaint reaches me liom Rikiorangi this morning that it is obtaining a distinct bold there in what should be new and clean country. To me it is most lam&nlable that the spread of this weed is so neglected. The seed is of course carried by the birds, and the property of no man, no matter how careful be may be, is safe in the viciuily of a blackberry plant the fiuit of which has been allowed to ripen. There is still time to check the evil in districts like Rikiorangi, but a few years more of neglect may render the position almost as hopeless as iu many other parts of the Dominion. I cannot 100 strongly urge this matter upon you. There are, of course, other wteds which meiit the seiious attention of the Department as well, iu patlicular the giant fescue, ragwoit, ox eye daisy and pennyroyal. I am tire last man who would advocate undue hardship on the farmer, and any pressure exerted under the authority of the Noxious Weeds Act should be tempered with ample justice lo the in :i----vidual, but in the iulertsts of the community as a whole and the farmer himself, such neglect as is apparent in my district must rot be allowed to continue. 1 am not blaming the inspectors themselves, on the contrary I believe they are striving to do their duty faithfully, but their districts are far too large to offer any hope of their doing their work efficiently. Their districts should be of such au area as to enable the inspectors lo thoroughly examine every i arm. I may mention, incidentally, as showing bow seriously I regard this matter, that I have recently tak»n back, and am farming myself, a property which has been under lease for fourleeu years, and upon pails of which foxgloves had been allowed to obtain a considerable bold. Several patches of ragwort aud blackberry, 100, have made their app arauce. This year I have spent about ,£IOO in taking out every flowering foxglove plant aud iu addition I have, with excel

lent result, but at considerable expense, treated with agricultural salt every ragwort plant discovered on the property, and have grubbed out blackberries twice during the present season. I have also attacked the giant fescue, which is one of our worst, weeds, particu larly in heavy and swamp lauds. The greatest offender in respect of the spreading of this weed is the Railway Department, whose line between Wellington and Palmerston N. is in many places, and for long distances, smothered with it. There is much of it, too, on many of the public roads. It is a satis factory grass on poor and hilly land but if allowed to go to seed, and the seed to enter the watercourses and drains, it constitutes a serious danger to the heavy and fertile land on the lower levels. I feel sure that you recognise the seriousness of this question, and I shall hope your reply will promise further and early activity to abate the evil wherever possible.”