222 Su2)plement to the " Tropical agriculturist J' [Sept. I, 1903- 
lowiiig information from the Agricultural Gazette 
of N. S. W. : — la autumn they burrow iuto the 
mud. After pairing they burrow into the earth 
above water level and form cocoons or egg cases 
of slimy material in which are enclosed 
from ten to sixteen eggs. These cocoons are 
left in the burrows, and in from four to sixteen 
weeks the young ones emerge. The young 
are slender and threadlike, and .it is about 
live years before they attain full size. 
Maize oil, expressed from the seeds of maize or 
Indian corn, is reported as becoming an important 
article of commerce. In 1897 the amount sent 
abroad from the United States was 2,646,560 
gallons, while in 1902 the total exports reached 
4,266,398 gallons. Belgium is the largest im- 
porter of American maize oil, and took more 
than half the total quantity exported in the 
latter year. The Netherlands and Germany are 
the neit largest importers. 
Mr. M. D. Hutcheon, Colonial Veterinary Sur- 
geon at the Cape, writing about Stockholm 
tar says : — Tar is antiseptic, stimulant, 
diuretic, diaphoretic, expectorant and parasiti- 
cidal. Its antiseptic properties are well known 
as a dressing for wounds, grease, thrush, &c. 
Its stimulating effects are due principally 
to its healthy actions on the mucous membranes 
of the digestive organs. Its diuretic action is 
due to the turpentine and resin which it 
contains, both of which act as stimulants to the 
kidneys. Diaphoretic means that it stimulates 
or increoses the healthy action of the skin. 
Expectorant refers to its beneficial action on the 
mucous membranes of the upper air passages, 
hence it is largely used as a local dressing to 
the mouth m the Malarial Catarrhal fever of 
sheep, and also as a medicine in diseases of the 
lungs, more especially in that form of pneumonia 
of sheep known as '* Jagziekte." In 1890 when 
1 was engaged in conducting experiments with 
numerous remedies for the destruction of the 
wire worm "Strongylus Contortus" found in 
such numbers in the stomach of sheep, I tried 
Stockholm tar. 1 gave each sheep two table- 
spooufuls, a much larger dose than the farmers 
usually give, but it produced no apparent 
ill-effects on the sheep. They were killed 
24 Lours after, and I was very pleased with 
its apparent effects. The worms were dead, 
and in addition the whole of the mucous surfaces 
of the small intestines presented a very clean and 
healthy appearance. Some years ago a mixture of 
Stockholm tar and common salt was largely used 
in the Albert and Wodehouse districts as a lick for 
sheep, and the farmers assured me that it greatly 
improved the health and condition of their sheep. 
The mixture was made into a stiff dough. 1 do 
not think that the exact proportions were calcu- 
lated. 1 can thoroughly recommend the mixture, 
and where sheep have a craving for salt, they eat 
it readily. 
There would appear to be an end to the trials 
of Tea and Coffee in Zanzibai, We read in the 
report for last year that the cultivation of tea 
has been abandoned as the expense of plucking 
and manufacturing has proved greater than the 
returns, the flushes are not large enough, and there 
is a tendency on the part of the plant to seed. 
But the made tea was eagerly bought up by 
natives at 11 annas per lb. The history of 
coffee is shortly written. It was devastated by 
the leaf di.^ease. The report on cocoa is not 
encouraging. The cultivation of chillies is said 
not to pay except when left to native industry. 
The importance of sending " clean " fruit to 
market is illustrated by the following ex- 
perience given in the Agricultural NetusofBuv- 
badoes : — St. Michael's pines were freely bought 
by wholesale dealers in Liverpool at 28. 6d. 
and 5s. each owing to their bright and clear fresh 
appearance. Jamaican pines fetched lOd., but had 
they been packed like the first would have been sold 
for 28, 6d. and 3s. 6d. each. Very ordinary look- 
ing pines retail in most cities and towns through- 
out the Kingdom at Is. and Is. 6d. each. They are 
sound but small ; "Speckled" fruit can often be 
had equally large for 6d. Moral. — Pack few fruits 
in a box, leave cranes perfectly free so as not to 
be crushed or damaged in any way. The finer the 
appearance of the fruit the better the price; so do 
not stint space. 
Cassava flour is likely to be useful in brewing. 
The value of the starch is about £12 per ton 
in quantity. This will shew that there is a 
future for this product if cultivated extensively. 
So say? " Our Western Empire. " 
Here is a Mem. to make the Veterinary Surgeons' 
mouth water ! — Mr. J. D. Kochfeller's pet Jersey 
cow valued at £6,000 has been ill at Turrytown, 
New York. Professor Law of Cornell University 
was called in to attend, his fee being £500 ! 
Milk weighs 10 lb, 4 oz. per gallon ; thick 
cream from 9^ to 9f lb. per gallon. 
