161 
In the Agricultural Gazette for October, 1899, will be found two analyses of the 
Wilga as to its value for forage purposes. Following are the results. Two analyses 
were made, because of the conflicting statements that one was edible and the other not 
so. 
Water. 
.Ash. 
Fibre. 
Ether 
extract 
(oil, &c.). 
Albumi- 
noids. 
Carbo- 
hydrates. 
Nutrient 
Value. 
Albumi- 
noid 
Ratio. 
Tannin 
(oak- 
bark). 
Wilga 
47-73 
5-21 
7-61 
2-18 
14-25 
23-02 
42 
1:2 
2-4 
Wilga (second sample) 
50-84 
5-18 
8-01 
2-55 
12-45 
20-97 
39 
1 :2 
2-2 
Wilga Edible and not Edible. The perplexing subject of apparently the same 
tree being eaten by stock or refused to be eaten by them has been touched upon already 
in this work. See Part LXII, p. 43, for one reference. 
I have before me 
(a) Specimens of Wilga received trom Mr. F. B. Guthrie, Chemist of the Depart- 
ment (who has made many analyses of our native fodder plants), under date 19th August, 
1908. One sample is labelled " Edible " and the other " Non-edible." They are 
identical, so far as I can see. 
(b) And, again, No. 1, parish Coreen, near Nyngan, county Flinders (B. F. Rogers, 
Forest Guard). " Stock will eat." 
No. 2. " Stock will not eat." (E. F. Rogers.) Again I cannot see any difference 
between the two specimens. 
The matter is, of course, one for experiment by trained veterinary officers, and 
is one of our unsolved, but not insoluble, problems. I suggest that the truth of the 
matter is that sheep object to the pungent taste of Wilga at first, but when they get 
used to it they eat it ravenously, if grass and herbs are scarce. 
Leaves (as Rustic Medicine)." Make an infusion of leaves only. Either apply 
as lotion or take inwardly. Has good results in alleviating pain. A leaf chewed into 
a pulp and placed in hollow tooth will stop ache." A former district forester at Dubbo 
made this statement to me some years ago. The plant has some local reputation similar 
to that stated, and has doubtless received it because of the pungent principle contained 
in the leaves and fruit. But better remedies are readily available in these days, although 
some country people cling very tenaciously (and I am sympathetic with the feeling in 
a general way) to the bush remedies. 
Fruit." The bronze-winged pigeons and other game live on the seeds, and 
domestic poultry will readily eat them. . . . With considerable knowledge of 
bushcraft, I never knew domestic livestock by any mistake to touch it." (A. N. 
Grant, Hillston.) 
F 
