1921.] The Destruction of Injurious Weeds. 775 



as in the years 1911-13. Dairy produce showed a slight fall, 

 the average pric e paid under contract to miik producers during 

 October, the first winter month, being nearly Id. per gallon 

 lower than the September average, owing to the stoppage of the 

 bonus of 3d. per gallon which wa3 paid in some districts during 

 the latter month. Eggs alone among the commodities com- 

 monly marketed advanced in value. 



Among the commodities purchased by the farmer, milling 

 offals, oilcakes and maize w T ere all much cheaper in October 

 than in September, and other feeding stuffs experienced smaller 

 declines. Nitrate of soda and superphosphate among fertilisers 

 showed substantial reductions in price. 



****** 

 • 



The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, in accordance 

 with powers conferred upon him by the Corn Production Acts 



The Destruction (Re P eal) . Act ' 1921 ■ has made an 0rder 

 „ _ . . • authorising County Agricultural Committees 

 oi Injurious *?. . J ? 



Weeds 011 behalf in relation to the pro- 



vision-:- of the Act requiring the destruction 

 of certain injurious weeds. The weeds referred to in the Act 

 are spear thistle, creeping or field thistle, curled dock, broad- 

 leaved dock, and ragwort, and the Minister is empowered to 

 serve upon the occupier of any land where these injurious weeds 

 are growing, a notice requiring him to cut down or destroy them 

 within a definite time specified in the notice, a copy of which is 

 sent simultaneously to the landlord. Failure to comply with the 

 requirements of the notice is punishable on summary conviction 

 by a fine not exceeding £20 and 20s. for each day during which 

 the default continues after conviction. Proceedings must be 

 instituted by the Minister, who shall be entitled to execute the 

 destruction work specified in the notice and recover the cost from 

 the offender. As regards public roads, it is held that the 

 authorities responsible for their maintenance shall be regarded 

 as the occupier for the purpose of the destruction of weeds. 

 ****** 



The Minister attended the Annual Dinner of the Poultry 

 Club on 18th October, and in his speech showed the value of 

 Value of the ^ e P ou ^ r y industry to this country. 



Poultrv * n tne ^ n ^ te d Kingdom imported 



Industry. eggs and P° ultl 7 to the vame of 

 £18,759,656, exclusive of imports from 

 Ireland. Irish exports were valued at £18,236,406 in 1919 4 



