Miscellaneous Notes. 



533 



increased attention will be given to it as a farm crop. Its cultivation is simple and 

 inexpensive, and the returns from the yield highly profitable. The fibre is exported 

 to Europe, America and Australia, and is chiefly used for the manufacture of ropes 

 and twine. In the year 1906-7, 29,040 tons valued at £864,280 were exported and 

 a large quantity was manufactuied locally into cordage. {Agriculture in New 

 Zealand, 1908.) 



Goose Breeding in Germany. — The Board have received, through the Foreign 

 Office, a despatch from H. M. Consul- General at Hamburg (Sir Wm. Ward, C. V.O.), 

 in which it is stated that the recent formation of an association amongst the leading 

 goose-breeders in Germany for the purpose of developing and improving the breeding 

 of geese has directed public attention to the fact that upon the whole the production 

 and quality of German geese has of late years largely declined. Figures are avail- 

 able, showing that the number of geese in Prussia, Wurtemburg and Baden fell 

 between 1892 and 1900, and there is reason to believe that a decrease has likewise 

 taken place in nearly all other parts of Germany. According to the 1900 census, the 

 total number in the Empire was 6,239,126. On the other hand, a considerable 

 increase has taken place in the importation of geese into Germany, the total number 

 having risen fairly steadily from 6,220,000 in 1900, to 8,984,000 in 1906, and the 

 annual value from £872,350 to ,£1,485,000. The diminution in the home stock, is, 

 therefore, not due to a lack of demand, but is considered to be .attributable to a 

 neglect of careful breeding, with the result that the birds have deteriorated in quality 

 and have become unprofitable. 



Importation, of Gooseberry and Black Currant Bushes into 'Ireland. — The American 

 Gooseberry Mildew and Black Currant Mite (Ireland) Order, 1908, renders it 

 unlawful to land in Ireland any gooseberry or black currant bush brought from any 

 place outside Ireland without a licence from the Department of Agriculture. Shipping 

 agents in Great Britain should not accept any parcel or package containing these 

 bushes and consigned to Ireland unless it is accompanied by a statement signed by the 

 consignor that he has obtained such a licence. 



Importation of Poultry and Cattle Foods into the United States. — The following 

 rulings relative to foods and medicinal mixtures for stock and poultry are contained in 

 a recent " Food Inspection Decision " issued by the United States Board of Food and 

 Drug Inspection, Department of Agriculture : — 



Poultry and cattle foods which contain poisonous weed seeds in appreciable quan- 

 tities will be considered as adulterated in accordance with those provisions of the 

 Food and Drugs Act of 30th June, 1906, forbidding the presence of poisonous or 

 deleterious ingredients. 



The department has been asked by the manufacturers of medicinal mixtures for 

 poultry, cattle, &c, whether such mixtures may, under the law, be labelled respec- 

 tively as cattle and poultry foods. It is thought, first, that the words " Cattle Food " 

 or " Poultry Food" should apply to cattle or poultry foods which are not mixed with 

 any condimental or medicinal substance or substances ; second, that mixtures of cattle 

 and poultry food materials, with small quantities of condiments, such as aniseed, 

 ginger, capsicum, &c, should be labelled as "Condimental Cattle Food," or 

 " Condimental Poultry Food " ; and third, that mixtures of cattle food materials with 

 medicinal substances, such as arsenic, sulphate of iron (copperas), &c, should not be 

 labelled as foods, but as medicines, or remedies. 



Dairy Implements for Natal. — A prominent firm of machinery merchants and 

 importers of agricultural implements in Natal desire to receive export lists of dairy 

 implements, &c, of British manufacture. 



All communications in connection with the foregoing should be addressed to the 

 Agent-General for Natal, 26, Victoria Street, London, S.W. {Board of Trade 

 Journal, 23rd July, 1908.) 



Importation of Bj-eeding Cattle into Cuba. — A decree dated 7th July, 1908, issued by 

 the Provisional Governor of Cuba, provides that bovine cattle, except those imported for 



