RAGWORT AND THISTLE.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 129, 22 April 1926, Page 7

RAGWORT AND THISTLE.

A SERIOUS MENACE. Landholder’s Responsibility. “ Until landowners as a whole are determined’ that the neglect of noxious weeds shall be treated as a very serious matter, that as a first'step their own lands shall be cleared as far as practicable, and that any of their number who fail in this respect shall be made to feel that their neglect places them in an invidious and untenable position among their fellows, it is hopeless to expect that any alteration in the law, or any increase in. the number or activity of Government inspectors will solve the problem.” Thus writes the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. O. J. Hawken) on the vexed question of noxious weeds. All over New Zealand there is being shown an ever-increasing apprehension in regard to the spread of noxious weeds. The menace is a serious one, and demands the most immediate and effective remedial measures or the situation will become ra.pld.ly worse. The Minister, in his letter, supplies the only solution to the problem. Until farmers themselves realise their personal liability in the matter no amount of legislation or departmental supervision can clear the country of weeds that are not only Impoverishing the land hut menacing the safety of live stock. The onus iu the question of weed eradication lies solely with the occupier, and in this connection it may be stated that in some districts the Government ijtself is not “setting the Thames on fire ” in its endeavours to clear its property of ragwort, St. John’s wort, and Californian thistle. One has only to take a short trip into the country, north or south, to find on every hand ragwort or Californian thistle—and it is to be found in generous quantities. In many places the landscape is no longer green with the healthy colouring of good pastures, but tinted with the yellow blooms of the poisonous ragwort. There is sufficient of this malignant plant to turn grey the heads of. a hundred farmers faced with the task of eradicating it. Californian thistle abounds in great quantities, and is viewed by many pastoralists with the greatest equanimity. A North Island farmer visiting 'Southland recently said that nothing amazed him more than the prevalence of thistle and, ragwort in the province. Judging by the profusion in which they were fqund he was almost persuad,ed to think that the plants were under cultivation. He was surprised that the farmer “ got away with it.” Many farmers njp north, he said, found these weeds getting a hold, and they wondered where they came from. Now he knew, he said,. Southland oats for seed would certainly provide a good harvest of the pests.

THE ONLY DESTROYER. The only effective weed destroyer* and one that must be adopted before any result can be expected, Is an enlightened and: thoroughly earnest public opinion throughout all the weedinfested parts of the country. Only with the ,backing of such a force can the Government hqpe to cope with, the position by means of legislation. Administrative work on the part of Parliament must fail dismally if farmers do not realise ther responsibility in the matter. And if a man will not see his liability, he should have it forced beneath his notice by his neighbours. 'Holders of adjoining properties will be just as much the losers as the man who ruins his own holding I by neglect in this direction. "What some settlers are thinking ot to allow such an overwhelming growth to get a hold on their properties, as is shown on some holdings, is not known, hut they are certainly sowing the wind,, and eventually will reap the whirlwind. IHow the weed is attacked must be determined by the country affected, the i bank balance of the owner, and the hold the weed has gained; hut whatj ever method of extermination is adopt- . ed must be undertaken by the farmer : himself. He cannot expect the Govj eminent to do it for him, and, after all it is to his own advantage to take definite steps not only in the direction of clearing his own farm hut also Ix2 the matter of inducing other settlers to realise their individual responsibili- , ties to their neighbours. Here is an excellent object for collective work on the part of a community of farmers. What is the use of a man working away conscientiously in an endeavour to obtain a good clean farm if his neighbour refuses to do likewise? Every wind that blows will waft the seed. The streams that water a dozen farms will distribute the seed,' and make the effort of the conscientious man worthless. A healthy public opinion would go a long way towards solving the problem. If the man who refused to clean, his farm were made to feel the dishonourable xiosition in which he had placed himself he would have 'to re— Torm his ways. Popularity among one’s fellows Is almost essential In the country, and ostracism would have the effect of driving the average man to clean things up. The position is one that cannot be winked a't, and something must be d,one very soon. It would be difficult to exaggerate the gravity of the weed situation. It is one 'that affects the production of the country, and by reason of that it is of vital importance to the whole of New Zealand. Though the position seems almost hopeless in some districts, it will get infinitely worse before it gets any better, and if drastic action is delayed indefinitely the pest will become a far greater evil than the rabbit ever was. 'Once the country is cleared 'community action should be able to keep it clear; but farmers must realise first and foremost that though the Government can help a great deal they can. help, the Government a great deal more. Legislation must fail unless the right spirit of responsibility exists among landholders.