191 1.] The Destruction of Bracken. 



571 



(Bowling, N.B.) by Lt.-Col. Ferguson-Buchanan, the acreage 

 of bracken practically exterminated since 1905 is 500 to 600 

 acres, at a cost of about £350. The cost was found to be well 

 repaid, excellent grazing resulting, while it had the advantage 

 that the shepherd could view his ground in less than a quarter 

 of the time taken when bracken covered the ground, and the 

 sheep kept off the heather owing to the extra grazing avail- 

 able. In the experiments referred to, clean cutting with 

 scythe and hook was found to be more effective than any 

 other method. 



Mr. S. Millar has been kind enough to inform the Board 

 that bracken has been cut for four years (1908-11) on 200 

 acres of Tighnabruaich Hill Farm in Argyllshire. The first 

 cutting took place between early May and the end of June, 

 1908, when the fronds were but a few inches high and quite 

 tender. A second cutting took place between July 1st and 

 August 15th, and a third between about August 15th and 

 September 15th, while some 50 acres of the area were again 

 cut over before the end of September of the same year. The 

 result was that in 1909 the growth was decidedly reduced and 

 weaker, and cutting was carried out three times. In 1910 the 

 bracken was in some places very thin and short, and only one 

 cutting was required, but in other places two and even three 

 cuttings were necessary. In the present year (191 1) the 

 bracken has been very scarce (except on 10 acres) and very 

 short, not more than 6 in. high, but the ground was all gone 

 over, and the bracken cut early in July. On the 10 acres ex- 

 cepted, the bracken was more prevalent, but very short, and 

 was cut twice. It is anticipated that next year no cutting will 

 be necessary. Mr. Millar states that the cost of cutting to 

 date has been ,£190, and the pest is considered practically 

 exterminated. The 200 acres which were before useless are 

 now good sheep pasture, and have proved worth reclaiming, 

 provided the bracken does not grow again, at any rate for a 

 considerable time. 



The tool used for cutting in this case consisted of a light 

 wooden handle 4 ft. long, bearing at the end a flat curved 

 piece of iron sharpened on both edges; this cuts the young 

 bracken very easily, it cuts on both swings, and the workman 

 does not require to bend. 



In another case in North Wales 240 acres of bracken were 



