MENACE OF RAGWORT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 822, 16 November 1929, Page 29

MENACE OF RAGWORT

SPREADING IN SOUTH AUCKLAND ! Oh,' u 'I Co- - ,s l>on,l- C The problem of the steady spread of ragwort in certain parts of the South Auckland district was discussed at this week's meeting of the Morrinsville branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. Mr. A. Topham suggested writing to Massey College for advice as to the best method to adopt. Mr. J. M. Allen said whatever we de we are bound to get more ragwort, as it is on the hills all round us. The seed flies for miles, comes down the rivers, and is carried in other ways. The farmers can do no more than they are doing.” The president, Mr. G. Pirritt. said that from To lvuiti to Tauranga it was just a yellow strip when the ragwort was in flower. Mr. Barrow clough said when he first came to the district there were ! only a few isolated patches in the :

country. Each year the patches were I getting more numerous. 'On practically every farm a few plants were to be seen seeding. Where tlie weed was very bad, it was often too expensive for tlie farmer to keep down. The. inspectors should tighten up on those properties where there were only a few plants, to prevent them getting worse. On his property he had pulld up certain patches, and the plant had grown again from the roots. Mr. P. S. Philpott said the best method, in his experience, was to go over the paddocks with a sack, cut the tops off the plants, and burn them.