740 AgriciUtural Gazelle ot N.S.W. [Sept.2,l^m. 



Eradication of Weeds. 



J. K. MAIDEN. 



It is ujradually Ix'coininii known that we have now a Weeds Law. What 

 ■\vi\\ 1m' the cxtptit of its power t'or good is, of coAirsc, a mattei- foi- tlic future, 

 since all legislation of this kind must be exj)efinieiital. Municipalities and 

 Shire Councils are empowered to frame regulations under which landowners 

 must destroy certain specified weeds on theii- holdings. 



People are thus becomii)g educated as to what weeds ai-e, and their 

 ii'esponsibility in regard to tliein. I think that the display of indignation on 

 the part of some folks is an excellent sign ; public attention is evidently 

 .being aroused ; we have been slunibei'ing too long in regard to veg<'table pests. 



If people could only be educated to destrcjy the single or little plants as 

 they appear as outliers much good would be done. We see large paddocks 

 "with one little Sweet-briai', one Prickly Pear, one Noogoora Bun-, tfec, and 

 owners are too lazy to pull them out when few and small. Thev then fi'uit, 

 .are spread l)y birds and catth^, and the pest reigns. 



There are two ways of dealing with such pests as Noogoora Burr*— (1) 

 Pull it up b\' the roots and burn it ; l)ut this advice can usually only be 

 followed where it first appears in a district. {'!) Spray with arsenical 

 ■solution ; this may or may not kill it entirely — this depends on its accessi- 

 bility and the thoroughness of the workman -but much of the plant will die 

 and can be readily tired. 



The same ad\ ice applies to Bathurst Burr. 



The Noogoora and Bathurst burrs are chietiy spread by the burrs clinging 

 to animals. The ground is often saturated with them, so that when the 

 parent plant is destroyed see that the progeny are dealt with. Weed 

 ii^radication means incessant care. 



Thistles cannot be kept out of a paddock in many cases ; their feathery 

 ;seeds flv for miles. Some thistles die out naturally ; one, at least, is a good 

 fodder-plant. tSo that the taking of repressive measures in regard to some 

 thistles is not unattended with ditiiculty, and is even undesirable and some- 

 times imjjossible. 



Now let us turn to Blacklierry and weeds of that class, such as Sweet- 

 liriar. In Europe it is a common thing to use bill-hooks for Blackberry, ttc, 

 then carry out the stems in luindles and burn them. Then sheep, goats, 

 1ioi-se.«, and cattle are folded on the land containing the stumps ; they eat the 

 luscious young spineless shoots readily. Briar can be treated in the same way. 



Another method is to spray with arsenical solution, and in a few days, 

 when the leaves and stems are more oi- less dead, the mass is fired. Then 

 cut away the stcMus which are left and burji them in convenient heaps. If 

 the roots can then ))e mattocked out in sununer, that would be well, but 

 the less expensive way, in most cases, is to allow stock to get at the |)lants as 

 they sprout again, and if the sprouts be constantly eaten down llie plants 

 'die of exhaustion. 



Briefly, my advice, therefore, is — 



1 . Take weeds seriously, never let them get a hold, and inquire as to 



the nature of all new ]>lants which make their appearance. 

 '2. Spray or use the brush hook and fii'e. 



3. Put shee{i or Angora goats (if available) on sprouting stems or young 

 seedlings. The above animals for preference. 



* (See the Agricultural Gazette tor 1899, p. 1043. 



