1 Szerr., 1897.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 24.5, 
stools, the last crop yielding only 10 tons of cane per acre, proving that such 
frequent ratooning is very unprofitable. The ground was worked up by the 
steam ploughs 12 inches deep; it was then allowed to rest for six months; and 
while planting was going on at the end of that time, about 10 ewt. of manure 
per acre was sown in the furrows with the cane plants. The manure used was 
‘kainit, lime, superphosphate, and filter press cake. Experiments with the 
latter have proved it to possess very great manurial value, as will appear in the 
next illustration. 
\ 
Deep ploughing and manure have given a verdict in favour of the outlay 
on this field, as 25 tons per acre will be the average return from 100 acres 
of eleven months’ growth plant cane, and this in the driest season ever 
experienced in the district. It should, however, be mentioned that this land is 
also drained with 2-inch, 3-inch, and 4-inch agricultural pipes. The drains are 
from 2 feet 6 inches to 3 feet 6 inches deep, and about one chain apart. This 
depth and distance appear to act very well on the volcanic land at Bingera. 
‘During the growth of the cane referred to, there has been no rain that reached 
the pipes, but no doubt the latter supplied a cool current of air, which refreshed 
the plant life, as over the 900 acres of land now drained as described, the 
cane always held green, even if it did not grow as one Could wish; but then 
there were no rains worth mentioning. 
The third illustration shows on the same field one of the many stools of 
cane in the block fully 8 feet high. This remarkable growth, during the dry 
season mentioned above, is due to the fact that in many parts of the field, 
whilst it was being planted, heaps of filter press cake were dumped down as a 
supply for the planters. Wherever this happened there would be naturally a 
larger amount of manure than where it was merely sown in the furrows; and 
hence a larger amount of plant food being supplied to the stool, it outgrew the 
rest. ‘The obvious conclusion is—as much manure of the right kind, consistent 
with the value of the increase. 
Had there been the usual rainfall, and this block of cane had been left 
until the end of September, instead of being cut in the early part of August, 
35 tons would have been the average weight per acre. 
In the fourth illustration, we see the canes loaded on the trucks standing 
on the portable tramline. These lines are laid down on the canefield about 100 
feet apart—that is, there are always two lines working, and a third being laid 
down. They all branch from the main permanent line. Oneis for the returning 
empty trucks, the other for the loaded ones. When the latter has done its 
duty by carrying off all the cane in its immediate vicinity, it is taken up and 
conveyed to a point beyond the third line, where it is again laid down ina 
marvellously short space of time. Thus no stoppage or collision can take place. 
The trucks are wooden frames on four iron wheels, and carry 80 cwt. each. 
There are 500 of them on Bingera. On the fields, horse-power is used for 
hauling them; but on the main roads, on which the gauge is 2 feet, small 
locomotives are employed. The kanakas on the load have just filled the trucks, 
and a team of four horses will haul a 20-ton train off the field, whilst the 
locomotives will haul a load of.70 tons on the main line. 
In addition to several miles of permanent and portable tramlines, there is 
on the estate a private railway line connecting the factory and Bingera Railway 
Station, on the Bundaberg-Mount Perry line. On this private line is a railway 
bridge (shown in the fifth illustration) 824 feet long, 12 feet wide, and 12 feet 
high, spanning a watercourse, and built to Government specifications. The 
gauge of the line is 3 feet 6 inches, which is that of the Queensland Goyern- 
ment lines. The locomotive shown belongs to the firm, and works the branch 
service. Sugar can thus be sent, in a wagon loaded at Bingera, over the whole 
of the Queensland system in the South and West, and soon will be able to reach 
Gladstone. 
’ 
