THE VALUE OF THISTLES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 40, 7 June 1876, Page 2

THE VALUE OF THISTLES.

At a recent meeting of the Cambridge Farmer's Club, Waikato (Auckland), the following letter from a Mr. Chambers, of Napier, was read : Deap. Sin, —In answer to your request of my opinion and experience relative to tiie thistle, I have much pleasure is bearing testimony to their great value as a preparatory crop for grass, which I account for in this way. The plant being an annual, sends its roots deep, drawing a large portion of its sustenance from the subsoil; when it dies the roots quickly decompose, affording a ready way of abating the soil, leaving it light and in a highly favourable state for the growth of grass, particularly rye-grass, which very soon expels it. It is a most valuable pioneer on land covered with fsm, which, it soon destroys, and when its course has been run, the land can be sown with a certainty of obtaining a good growth of grass. To encourage the growth of thistles of fern land, I fhufthat by burning it early in January, or before the thistle seed ripens (stocking heavily as the young fern comes up), a good crop is secured, and the destruction of the fern facilitated. I have every reason to speak well of thistles, for a few years after their appeat'ance here my run carried extra stock (fed on them.),-wii*?i increased my income £I,OOO per -annujii No foodi s more fattening than the flower. In conclusion, I believe this plant was sent here by a kind Providence, and that all the Acts of Parliament or others to extirpate it will be in vain ; it will fulfil its mission of preparing land (particularly fern) for the higher state of vegetation.— 1 remain, yours truly, Johx Chambers.