THE SPREAD OF RAGWORT.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 118, 28 January 1926, Page 6

THE SPREAD OF RAGWORT.

DANGER TO DAIRYING. | Spreading Round Morrinsville. All farmers know that ragwort is a noxious weed and that penalties are provided by law for- failure to clear their paddocks of it, but evidently some farmers do not realise the great danger not only of incurring penalties hut of being the means of permitting its spread to such an extent as to greatly menace the dairying industry in their district. Ragwort is a slow poison which attacks the livers of the stock fjiat eat it and eventually causes death. According to Mr. S. Burton, M.R.C.V.S., there is no cure for this poison once it gets a hold in the system. Fortunately the cattle will not eat the ragwort unless they are starving, and sheep will fatten on it, hut the real danger lies in the fact that if it is not checked this weed with the pretty yellow flower will rapidly spread over the pastures and in time take complete charge. “ Ragwort actually threatens to kill dairying in the Waikato, it is a peril far greater than most people think,” Mr. Burton stated recently, at the same time remarking upon its remarkable spread in some parts of the Waikato. The only method of eradication, in his opinion, was to pull the plants out by the roots and bum them. Farmers had not long to attend to this before the ragwort went to seed. Evidently a number of farmers round Morrinsville do not realise the full danger of this noxious weed. A Kiwitahi farmer pointed out to a Morrinsville Star reporter the other day that on several farms in the district ragwort was making its appearance. Upon a few farms there was a considerable quantity of it, and on others only a small clump here and there. Some of the farmers, he said, cut the weed down as soon as it showed any growth, others made an attempt, while a number disregarded it altogether. Personally he pulled out every root he found and the amount of this weed on his farm was steadily decreasing. The only way to deal with it effectively was to pull the plants up as soon as they were noticed.