THE BRITISH IMPORT TRADE IN EGGS. 
The British Import Trade in Eggs has since the year 1850 exhibited a most 
remarkable growth, and there seems no reason why Australia should not have — 
a large share in that trade. _— 
The Board of Agriculture Journal says that fifty years ago the importa 
tion of eggs into the United Kingdom amounted to 3 eges per head of the 
population of Great Britain and Ireland, but so great has been the subsequent 
growth of the trade that in 1896 the supply from abroad reached a total of 40 
-eges per head. Last year the importation amounted to 1,589,387,000, of the value 
of £4,185,000. Until 1870, 90 per cent. of the imports into the United Kingdom 
was received from French ports; and though Trance still contributes a large 
proportion, her consignments to this country have decreased consistently 
during the last twenty years. Neither Belgium nor Germany produce sufficient 
eggs to meet the demands of their own population; and though it appears from 
the statistical tables that large quantities are received from these countries, 
it must be pointed out that the bulk of the receipts from Belgian ports consists 
of Italian and Austrian eggs, while those arriving from German ports are for 
the most part the produce of Russia and Austria-Hungary. From the declared 
value of the imports, we learn that the average value of the eggs imported for 
the last twenty-five years ranged from 73d. to 10}d. per dozen. The supplies 
from France fetch the highest price, and Italian and Danish produce come 
next. 
The highest figure given in the average price here does not seem excessive, 
but when the raising of poultry for expurt is carried on, as it will be on 
a large scale, doubtless efforts will be made to also compete with Europeat 
countries in the ege market, as Queensland has already successfully done in 
_ the butter and fruit market. 
PRICKLY PEARS FOR STOCK. 
_ It is perhaps not generally known that in Mexico the prickiy pear is not 
_ regarded as ani evil, but as the very reverse, 
‘The Rev. Herbert Heath, who lately left Queensland, stated that he had 
resided for many years in Mexico, and had had many opportunities of observing 
_ the uses to which the prickly pear was put by the rancheros. In dry seasons, 
and even during good seasons, the yaqueros and peons go out on to the runs 
and cut down quantities of mesquite bushes, and make piles of them at 
_ intervals over a large extent of country. Labour being plentiful and very 
cheap, the work is performed in quicker time than might be supposed. 
; Quantities of prickly pear are now cut and thrown on to the Aap s which 
are then fired. The heat and eyolved steam disarm the leaves and fruit of 
_ their thorns and prickly hairs, and the cattle assemble and eat the juicy leaves 
and succulent fruit with greater zest than they ate the grass. 
In reply to a question we asked about the possibility of destroying and 
exterminating the plant in Queensland, Mr. Heath said: “You don’t know the 
© valuable fodder plant you have here. I can tell yeu this: Take away the 
pecs pear from Mexico, and rancher, rancheros, vaqueros, and all who 
ave to deal with cattle may leave the country, for there will be no further 
employment for them. Cattle will be a thing of the past.” We shall be glad_ 
ae ia ar if the prickly pear has been systematically tried as fodder in Queens- 
land. 
FARMING BY THE WEALTHY CLASSES. 
y In the course of an address to the Dominion Shorthorn Breeders’ Associa-_ 
tion at Toronto (says the Live Stock Journal of 30th April), the President — 
(Mr. A. Johnston, of Greenwood, Ontario) said: “If I were asked my opinion as ~ 
to the greatest want in shorthorn matters in this country and in the United — 
_ States, 1 would unhesitatingly answer—that of moneyed men who take an 
_ active and participating interest in this and in ail other matters pertaining to 
agriculture. In the old lands it is vastly different. There, from Royalty down — 
3 
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