208 Journal of the Department op Agriculture. 



Licks for Live Stock. — The Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales for Januaiy. 

 1920, Vol. XXXI, Part I, contains an interesting article on Licks tor Live Stock for different 

 classes of country. A list is given of formulae recommended for different ailments and 

 includes the following : — Stornach Worms (fluke) ; Worms in Lambs ; Lungworm in Sheep : 

 Defective Botie Development ; Osteo nialicia ; Lime for Stock ; Anti-partum Parahsis in 

 Sheep ; New Disease in Sheep (Black Disease). 



A few of the formulae contain such substances as bone meal, bone ash, calcium phos- 

 phate or lime, to supply material deficient in soil or herbage, and may be legardcd as bone- 

 forming salts. The bulk of the ingredients have medicinal action and are not met with in 

 the soils. The article deals with samples of soil analysed, stated to have been used as a 

 " natural lick " by stock, especially sheep, and, in the case of "Black Disease", repoited to 

 have a beneficial effect. 



The Beet Sugar Industry. — In the Victorian Journal of J f/ricultv re iovFehrnary 

 1920, is a continued article from the December, 1919, and January, 1920, issues. The two 

 previous papers dealt with the general reasons for further development of the industry with 

 an account of its history in the colon}-, by-products, cultivation, seeding and fertilizing, and 

 harvesting. February's contribution deals with beet seed, new beet sugar factories, re<}uire- 

 ments for their establishment and consequent success, capacity, cost, etc. In addition, 

 general information is given regarding the industrj^ in some of the princi{)al beet sugar 

 producing countries. We learn that in the United States of America there are nearly lUO 

 factories producing 800,000 tons of beet sugar while cane interests represent about 2.50,000 

 tons, and Americas home requirements are over 4,000,000 tons per annum, mostly imported 

 from Cuba as cane sugar. The American Government is encouraging ex])ansion of sugar 

 beet growing. 



Pepsin verms Rennet in Cheese-Making.— Mr. H. M. Mcrker, in the Journal of 

 Dairy Science, Vol. II, No. (5, November, 1919, states that owing to conditions mainly 

 brought about by the war, pepsin has replaced rennet almost entirely in cheese-making, 

 except in cheese of the sweet curd variety. It is being used in all parts of the world and is 

 much cheaper. Experienced cheese-makers have concluded, after several years' experience, 

 that the loss of butter-fat in the whey is the same with either { epsin or rennet. Pepsin may 

 be activated by the addition of hydrochloric acid to a limited extent, and decidedly 

 a(;tivated when used in conjunction with soluble calcium salts. The three important points to 

 1)0 observed in connection with the use of pepsin are : — 



(1) The addition of a good, live starter (lactic acid culture). 



(2) The milk should be heated to 88° F. 



(3) The acidity should be 0-20 per cent, lactic acid before adding the pepsin. 



Seal Skins— Remarkable Prices. 



Sealing upeiations iiie carried out at the various Government 

 Gruano Islands, and the skins obtained are shipped ^o London for sale. 

 The prices obtained in 1914-15 ruled low, for some shipments only 9s. 

 per skin being obtained, and during' the 1915-16 season sealing opera- 

 tions were entirely suspended owing to the slump prevailing in the 

 fur skin market. Tlie following year there was a rise in the market, 

 and sealing was renewed, the skins obtaining satisfactory prices. The 

 market continued to rise, the prices per skin in 1917-18 being from 

 .31s. 2d to 37s. 6d. ; in 1918-19 the average was £2. 18s. Advice is 

 now received of remarkably hig'h prices on the London market on the 

 29th January last for Government seal skins, pup skins realizing from 

 £15. 15s. to <£33. 10s., the average price of two shipments being 

 i'22. 19s. 6d. and £21. 12s. lOd. Practically all the skins were 

 bought on account of America, and it is believed they are lieing- 

 shipped there direct. 



