CALIFORNIAN THISTLE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2421, 17 January 1888, Page 2

CALIFORNIAN THISTLE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I presume thnfc the Canadian thistle, of which your correspondent complained in Saturday's issue, is the same as the Californian thistle which is such a nuisance in Australia. At any rate the description suits, and I eau thoroughly endorse his method of eradicating the noxious weed. Perhaps a little information on the subject would not be mniss. It appeared in Tasmania on the line along which sheep from Victoria were driven, and also in districts where Victorian sheepskins were fellmongered. The centre root goes down to a depth of Sor 10 feet. Thiswe should think here an advantage, as I have often heard that thistles improve the ground, by making it more friable and easily workable. But this thistle unfortunately throws out a lot of lateral roots, which throw up in return a lot of lateral shoots. Your correspondent has hit on the right way to eradicate this thistle. It takes a little truiiblo and a great deal of patience, but is the only infallible method. The plan is simply to cut down all the growth above the ground once a week, and in a couple of years the thistle will bo dead. The leaves are the lungs of the plant, and a stroke with a slasher once a week while enjoyiiig your after-breakfast pipe will save ail trouble if adopted at the outset. This is the experience of Tasmania. If any man wishes for data and particulars I shall bu most happy to supply him.—l am, yours truly, Ouris.