ATTACK ON RAGWORT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4446, 1 May 1930, Page 3

ATTACK ON RAGWORT.

♦- Eli A 1 >T'( ATI 0 N P ROM T S ED. SPRAYING: WITH CHLORATES. A method of controlling ragwort by spraying, which promises to result in the eradication of the weed, is being demonstrated by the fields division and the plant research station at Palmerston North. An announcement to this effect was made by Air. J. \V. Deem, director of the station, who emphasised the merits of the discovery.

lie staled timi tests conducted had resulted in the complete eradication of the weed, which is such a liiemu-c to stock. Simple of applical ion, the new spray is said lo lie uou-poisoimns to stock, and ns cheap as il is efficacious. Mr. Derm says that during the past, six months lie. has been testing liic merits of sodium chlorate and calcium chlorate for the control of the weed with gratifying results. Where properly applied, the chemicals gave 100 per cent, of kills. In addition to the control of ragwort, lie says, they appeared equally efficient in the control of pennyroyal, St. .John's wort, oxe.yc daisy, ami many of the oilier soft leaved deeds, while there were indications that I hey would considerably help iu the control of the (.'alifoiaiian thistle and similar weeds, but L'urllier research Would he necessary before reliable information was available in respect of the latter weeds.

(lilt lining the experiments made, llic slatcinei.'l say's: —“The best results were obtained when the plants of young ragwort, were treated. it is best lo treat them when front three to nine inches high. Areas at ibis stage which were treated in <><-lober have shown no sign of recovery. In (lie ease of older ragwort plants, right up to llowering, some were equally Well destroyed, km a great deal more time and am - Irrial are required to diver the plants. “Regarding the strength of the spray," Air. Deem si. 'ties, “I lo 5 per cent, si length gives the best all-round results, Iml 2) per cent, has given excellent results. Gnleiiiin chlorn le, being a liquid, was applied as a spray. Sodium chlorate was tested both as a spray and in a dry stale, the latter method being equally ell ret ivc where the crystals were applied direct to the weed, but was a great deal more cosily, both as regards the lime taken and the cost of material. Therefore spraying is recommended for general work. ''While both chlorate have done excellent work, we eonsdiev 11 ml; sodium lias given belter results, 'file question which to use will grcn'ly depend upon the cost of material and convenience for I runsport."