THE WEEDS OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 119 



A Pica for Further Investigation. A Western Australian farmer having 

 raised the question of the value of this weed as sheep-food, and the danger 

 of sheep eating the seeds infecting clean land, Mr. W. C. Grasby dealt with 

 the matter in an informative manner in a recent issue of the Western Mail. 

 Mr. Grasby had had a good deal of experience with this weed in South 

 Australia, where it seems to be commoner than in any other State. He 

 says : 



If a farmer desires to carry on the business of wheat-growing pure and simple, 

 it is desirable to do everything possible to prevent the spreading of Cockspur 

 (St. Barnaby's Thistle is meant), Cape Weed, and other plants which grow on 

 the fallow. If, however, it is desired to conduct the business of wheat-growing 

 in conjunction with sheep, it is desirable to have every kind of plant which will 

 produce good sheep feed, growing on the land. A Tammin farmer in reply to 

 an agricultural expert who pointed out the presence of Cockspur, Cape Weed, 

 Wild Mustard, &c., said, " I want to keep sheep, and the more weeds my land 

 will grow the more sheep I can keep, and if I have sheep I can Control the 

 weeds when I want to grow wheat." 

 



In boyhood I have spent many weary days in hoeing up such weeds, but now 

 I look upon Cockspur and other weeds from a different point of view, and, 

 before I condemn, I ask their value as sheep feed. As I go through the wheat 

 belt I find tnat farmers who keep sheep would rather have Cockspur than be 

 without it. There is a prevailing opinion that wheat-growing by itself is not 

 profitable with present averages and prices, and, in order to keep sheep, farmers 

 must have what are called weeds, which will suport the sheep when the land is 

 not in crop. From another point of view, it is 'necessary to have weeds and 

 sheep. We cannot carry out the systems of rotation developed in countries 

 where summer rains are the rule and not the exception ; and, under clean fallow 

 and alternate cropping, land must rapidly deteriorate in fertility. It is not in 

 accordance with book teaching, but it appears to me that we have to look upon 

 edible weeds, such as have been mentioned, and more especially the wild 

 clovers, as a rotation of crops which cost nothing and are best suited to our 

 climatic conditions. Of course, it is not suggested that clovers and trefoil are 

 .as valuable as Cockspur. 



As to the distribution of seeds by sheep, there is room for difference of 

 opinion. A farmer of wide experience says that sheep do not, to an appreciable 

 extent, distribute the seeds of plants that they eat, but those which are carried 

 in the wool, and lie gives a good deal of evidence in support of his opinion. 

 He points out that weeds of various kinds grow where horse droppings and 

 cattle droppings are found, but not to the same extent when sheep have 

 travelled. He states thaf* he has carefully examined and washed the droppings 

 of sheep, and, so far, has failed to discover clover seeds which have not been 

 'digested. 



Looking at the question from every point of view, I think I may, without 

 hesitation, advise that, if a farmer wishes to keep his fallow clean, the wise plan 

 will be to keep the sheep off. Probably the best plan will be to put the mower 

 over weedy ground, rake up the Cockspur and burn it, and then keep the ground 

 free of crop and surface cultivated, whenever the Cockspur appears, until it is 

 ;all destroyed. The ground, in the meantime, should not be ploughed, for that 

 will bury the seeds. It is entirely for any individual to decide whether the 

 value of the Cockspur on the fallow for the keeping of sheep will pay for 

 'having this weed present on the land. I think it will, but I would be glad if 

 those old farmers who have had considerable personal experience would be 

 enough to contribute their experience. 



