SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 
Of the varieties sown that from Jaya has done much the best, whilst the Bengal 
and Coconada varieties are also growing fairly well. The New Caledonia beans 
were slow in germinating, and though the plants are strong and healthy they 
have not yet, begun flowering. Of the numerous varieties planted in the experi- 
mental plot, only that from seed collected by Mr. Napier, at Dookie, Victoria, has 
grown, and this variety is not yet in flower. 
The plants look remarkably healthy. The lower leaves on some of them have 
been eaten to’a small extent, possibly by grasshoppers, and on three adjacent 
plants a considerable number of caterpillars of the Painted Apple Moth (Veta 
anartoides) were found, all of the same age and evidently the progeny of a 
single moth. 
A small corner of one of the flats was accidentally flooded by the blocking of 
a drain, with the result that many of the plants in the flooded area were killed 
and the remainder badly checked. This result is attributed by Mr. Napier to 
the coldness of the water. : 
2. Experiments at Violet Town.—Though a number of the plants grew for a 
time, the prolonged dry weather has, unfortunately, killed most of them. 
3. Work in Queensland.—Mr. Jones has forwarded four samples of beans 
collected by him, which are being tested for oil-content and acidity. He reports 
considerable interest in the crop amongst Queensland farmers, and considers: that 
the State should produce a large quantity of beans in a few years’ time. 
4. Collection and Supply of Information.—In response to a request for .infor- 
mation as to the position in the United States, Mr. W. W. Stockberger, Physio- 
logist in charge of Drug, Poisonous and Oil Plant Investigations, in the Bureau 
of Plant Industry, has supplied copies of the latest statement of the Bureau as 
to the cultivation of castor beans. He states that there are no special machines 
_used for sowing or gathering the castor beans, but that several firms have pro- 
duced castor bean threshing machines. He has asked the two firms manufactur- 
ing the best of these to supply Sea to the Committee, but these have not 
yet been received. : 
An article appeared in the Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales for 
December, 1918, by Mr. H. Ross, from which it was evident that the writer was 
not fully informed of the present position in Australia, the statistics of 
consumption given being out of date, and the writer stating that there was no 
market for the crop in Australia. The latest statistics and information-as to 
market and prices were sent by the Committee in a letter to the editor. 
' Information has also been supplied to Mr. G. L. Sutton, Commissioner for 
the Wheat Belt, Western Australia, in response to his request, in view of inquiries 
made by prospective growers in that State. Copies of valuable articles appearing 
in the Tropical Agriculturist and the Queensland Agricultural Journal have been 
circulated amongst members of the Committee. 
5. Additional. Corresponding Member of the Committee—Mr. W. J. Spafford, 
Hxperimentalist, Department of Agriculture, South Australia, has been appointed 
a corresponding member of the Committee. 
6. Prizes at Agricultural Show.—The Royal. Agricultural Society of Victoria 
has agreed, at the request of Mr. Pye, to offer a prize for castor beans at the | 
Show. A similar request is being made to the New South Wales Society, and it 
is proposed also to approach the societies in other States. 
7. Importation of Seed.—The Indian Government has prohibited the export of 
castor beans in order to stimulate the local manufacture of castor oil. This will 
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