Mar. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 199 



5.— Dye. 



Many of the species yield purplish fruits, the flesh being more or less 

 intensely of that colour; the pest pear is a case in point. Although a 

 good many authors refer to this colour, it has not, in these days of synthetic 

 dyes, been found to have any commercial value. At the same time, it has 

 some local or domestic use in the countries in which the species are 

 indigenous. 



6. — Miscellaneous. 



In C. S. Sargent's " Silva of North America," vol. xiv, p. 13, will be 

 found references to a local use of prickly-pear " leaves " for hardening tallow, 

 for use as a poultice, &c. I have known the cool succulent substance to be 

 used in New South Wales as a cooling agent in the treatment of whitlows, 

 &c., also for black eyes. 



■ In some countries, particularly India, prickly pears have been cultivated for 

 hedges (in India even for fortifications), but this is a use which will appeal 

 to no one in Australia. At this place a paper " The Destructive Distillation 

 of Prickly Pear " by F. H. C^ampbell (" Rep. Aust. Assoc. Adv. Science," 

 vol. X V, p. 104, 1913) should be consulted, although the products, tar, charcoal, 

 &c., cannot be produced at a profit at present. 



Although I am not too optimistic in regard to most of the minor use& 

 enumerated, I am of opinion that some of the various products may help 

 to reduce the cost of clearing pear-infested land, which should always be our 

 aim. 



The Importance of Appearance in the Packing 



OF Honey. 



The nature of the bee-keeper's occupation, and his daily association with a 

 regime unparalleled in nature for its perfect and delicate order, should m,ake 

 hira particularly sensible of the importance of what are sometimes dismissed 

 as " small things." One of these is the appearance of his honey containers. 



It is very essential that the apiarist should study the outtide appearance 

 of his containers when preparing honey for market. Many apiarists use 

 benzine tins, and these are satisfactory if they are carefully selected, properly 

 cleaned with hot water and a small quantity of carbonate of soda, and then 

 rinsed with cold water. Only the best and brightest tins should be used, 

 and it is imperative, of course, that no slightest odour of benzine should be 

 left in the tin. 



When sending honey a distance by rail it is advisable to put the tins in 

 crates. Where it is desired to consign uncrated, then personal attention 

 should be given to the loading of the truck, so that the tins may be packed 

 carefully, and in such a manner that no other produce is dumped roughly 

 on top of them. Marketing with a poor appearance reduces both profits 

 and sales.— W. A. Goodacre, Senior Apiary Inspector. 



