0^^.2,1908.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 829 



Where sheep are to l)e fed it will probal)ly always pay to cbati' the coarse 

 growing nops, as the waste in feeding is much greater with the long stuff. 



The pit shoukl be hlled well up above the surface of the ground and 

 allowed to settle foi- a few days, then a littl" old straw spread on the top if 

 convenient, and about 18 inches of earth scooped back on top ; it can stay 

 there — let us hope for years — until required, and will open up good and 

 succulent. 



Particularly in Barley grass country there is usually a grassy strip round 

 the edge of the wheat crops that is cut in cutting the firebreaks and roads. 

 Many farmers keep this grassy hay for their own use, either because it is 

 unmarketable or because they strip the rest of the crop for grain. The 

 result is invariably trouble during next ploughing season from the grass seed 

 getting into the horses' mouths and jaws and preventing them from doing 

 well. It is false economy to use this stuff for chaff, nmch better to burn it, 

 so why not scoop a pit and turn it into silage ; it is an experiment that will 

 cost little and I am sure will not be regretted. 



Note o\ Argemone mexicana. 



.J. H. MAIDEN. 



[Previous references, — 1891, Jan., p. 32 : Mar., p. 125 ; Apr., p. 175 ; 1895, 

 Mar., p. 157; Apr., p. 227: 1897, Jan., p. 3; 1899, .June, p. 490; 1901, 

 June, p. 643.] 



This weed known as " Blue Thistle," " Yellow Poppy," " Mexican Poppv. 

 "Devil's Fig," "White Thistle," " Binniguy Thistle,'" "Prickly Poppy,"' is 

 widely looked upon in Xew South Wales as one of the few weeds without ajiy 

 redeeming feature. 



In the Cape of Good Hope Agric. Journ. (April, 190^, p. 493) the follow- 

 ing statement appeared : — 



Mr. Bergh (Modder River; moved: — "That Congress [Farmers' Congress, 1908] 

 recommends to (Government the necessity for removing from tlie list of noxious weeds 

 the plant commonly called Mexican Poppy." Seconded hy Mr. Haarhoff'. 



Mr. P. Nt4 (Beaufort West) moved, as an amendment: — " That the Government be 

 informed of the diversity of opinion between farmers as to the value or otherwise of the 

 Mexican Poppy as a fod<ler plant, and that they be requested to appoint experts to make 

 immediate investigation." 



On a vote being taken, the amendment was negatived, and the motion agreed to." 



On inquiry of the Under Secretary for Agriculture at Capetown, the follow- 

 ing information was elicited : — 



With reference to your letter of the loth May last, relative to the above subject, I 

 am directed to inform you that the principal reason advanced by those witliing to have 

 Mexican Poppy (Ar(//rnoiie niexirniia) withdrawn from tlie list of noxious plants is that 

 in their opinion it is not nidy not injurious to, but will even, in certain seasons, serve as 

 food for stock This statement it will be noted is not an official one l)y tlie Department, 

 but emanates from the farmers themselves. 



Now I want to give even Blue Thistle its flue, and if any one will show 

 cause why this weed should not be exteiminated 1 shall be very glad to hear 

 it. T particularly desire evidence that stock eat it, not an odd nibble, but 

 use it as food. 



