WEED EXTERMINATOR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2610, 18 September 1909, Page 4

WEED EXTERMINATOR.

ME. LONG’S INVENTION.

The invention of. a weed exterminator will undoubtedly be of immense service not only to New Zealand, but to the world in general, and Mr. Long, of Gisborne, hopes shortly to show that he has discovered a sure destructive agent for plant pests. After experimenting for two years, Mr. Long produced a powder which, in solution, he claims will exterminate the most obstinate weeds in the Dominion. Several months ago he demonstrated on Californian thistles, gorse, sweet briar,'and ragwort, before an inspector of the Agricultural Department, at Waikirerc, and yesterday, in the presence of one or two people he treated two blackberry patches off Gladstone Road with the' fluid. The method of applying the exterminator is to sprinkle the ground with salt, so that the liquid will not all run away, and then spray the weed. Tlie latter, it is claimed, will be dead in a few weeks, but the inventor will only guarantee absolute extermination if the ground is left unbroken for a year after treatment. The patches of weed treated at Wailiirere have shown no signs of re-grovrbh yet. and the blackberry bushes treated will naturally be watched with interest. Tho cost 'of treatment is £lO per acre, which may seem high, though it is light enough when one considers how the presence of even a few thistles lowers the value of land.