COLLECTION OF ERGOT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 January 1941, Page 4

COLLECTION OF ERGOT

SUPPLIES AVAILABLE AROUND MASTERTON. MOSTLY IN TALL FESCUE. Ergot, supplies of which are urgently required in Great Britain for war purposes, is to be found on grasses in many places in an around Masterton, mostly on tall fescue growing in damp localities and on river-bed " country. Occasionally ergot is to be found on cocksfoot and ryegrass. Yesterday, for instance. following the appeal for supplies. Masterton residents collected samples near the Waipotia River and the Masterion Cemetery. In many other places around the town and elsewhere it is to be found as well. In contrast to smut, ergot is hard and horny and does not blacken the hands during collection. It is important to note that ergot should not be broken during collection and equally important that it should be thoroughly dried. Though ergot is poisonous if swallowed in any quantity it is perfectly safe to handle in collecting it. etc., but to avoid any possibility of risk in its collection young children should not take part. Collectors should dispose <>f their supplies to any rrtember ef the New Zealand Grain Seed Produce Merchants’ Association.