THE WEEDS OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 131 



About seven years ago a stock inspector on one of the Northern Rivers 

 stated that Cape Weed had been found on different parts of the river, and 

 appeared to be becoming- more plentiful. He thought it had probably been 

 introduced in chaff. He says the plant is rich in chloro (whatever that is), 

 and is very deadly to horses, causing in the first place a swelling of the head 

 and glands. Horses become very violent, then coma ensues, with tetanus 

 symptoms, shivering fits, low temperature, and finally death. Cattle are not 

 affected if feed is mixed, but where Cape Weed predominates impaction 

 ensues, with fatal results. 



This was the first occasion I had heard of poisonous characters being 

 attributed to Cape Weed by a responsible officer, but I have not heard the 

 report confirmed, and suspend my judgment. Years ago, when I was stay- 

 ing with a friend near Melbourne, his cows habitually fed on this weed 

 (they had little else to eat at that time), but I never heard the suggestion 

 of poison. I have seen horses, cattle, and sheep feed on the weed many 

 times since, and do not know of evidence justifying it being branded as a 

 poison. 



How to deal with it. It is very difficult to get rid of an overwhelming 

 plant like this. Its rosette-habit enables it to smother grasses and better 

 plants. The seeds with their beautiful fibre-attachments are caught by the 

 wind and blow all over the place. When a paddock is full of it, unless 

 money is no object, it cannot be got rid of, but I would strongly recommend 

 any landowner to dig it up by the roots and burn it when it first makes its 

 appearance on his property. He may thus stave off the invasion for a 

 number of years, which is worth while, even if the invasion becomes more 

 persistent as time goes on, and he may ultimately not be able to resist it. 



Much of the turf in the suburbs of Sydney contains many Cape Weed 

 seeds, and as the plant dies down in the winter, when turf is usually moved, 

 the purchaser of turf for a new lawn should be very alert for Cape Weed as 

 the weather begins to get warm, say in September or October. Dig it up 

 with a knife; never let it seed. 



Our roadsides are the great repositories of this weed. As the local 

 authorities become more alive to its detrimental character, vigilance in 

 regard to this pest will be even more active than it is. It is proscribed by 

 many municipalities and shire councils. It is a source of great satisfaction 

 to note how many shires and municipalities are becoming vigilant as to the 

 dangers of weeds. 



The weed has been proscribed in the following Local Government areas : 



SHIRES. 



Bulli Erina Manning Terania 



Bolwarra Gundurimba Orara Tweed 



Byron Harwood Stroud Wallarobba 



Cessnock Kyogle Tarro Wollondilly. 



MUNICIPALITIES. 



Ballina Goulburn Hurstville Mosman 



Burwood Grafton Kiama Moss Vale 



Casino Grafton South Lambton Mullumbimby 



Concord Hamilton Lismore Stockton 



Coraki Homebush Maclean Ulmarra. 



Glen Innes Hunter's Hill Maitland West 



