116 Fern Land. 



There are several methods in vogue for the eradica- 

 tion of fern. Constant cutting will enfeeble the plants 

 and starve the roots, but this process is, from an expense 

 point of view, out of the question in dealing with large 

 areas of such country. It might be applicable to small 

 patches of good, flat land. Fencing the fern land into 

 sections and crushing with cattle is not only a slow 

 process, but the cattle will have an unenviable time of it 

 dietically while performing their share of the work. 



The cheapest and probably most effective method of 

 procedure to the general conditions of this country is in 

 burning the fern first, then fencing immediately and 

 sowing down with a moderate quantity of grass seed with 

 the object of getting the stock to move about amongst 

 the fern and accomplish its eradication. The burning 

 could be done at a seasonable opportunity, invariably the 

 autumn, but a lot of fern country ca.n be fired during 

 the drying easterly spring winds. A suitable and cheap 

 mixture for grassing would be, say, lOlb. cocksfoot, 21b. 

 Chewing's fescue, lib. crested dogstail, lib. Kentucky 

 blue grass, and lib. white clover. Cocksfoot does very 

 well under such conditions, its robust growth putting up 

 a good fight with the fern. Chewing's is a willing taker 

 at any time. Dogstail, when once established, will self- 

 seed well, by reason of its seed-stalk being left alone by 

 stock, and gradually spread itself. Kentucky blue grass, 

 to be sown only where ploughing is not contemplated, 

 should also do well under the conditions, and it is a most 

 excellent hill grass. It and dogstail are well liked by 

 sheep, and both of them contain many more seeds to a 

 Ib. than cocksfoot. The paddock need not be made a big 

 one for a start, say, 40 or 50 acres. Indeed, large pad- 

 docks should be noticeable for their absence. 



When the fronds of the young fern appear after the 

 burning and grassing, a heavy stocking of strong, 

 healthy sheep should be made. They should be kept on 

 until they ea.t all the young shoots. If no rain falls 



