1 Srpr., 1898.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 193 
nimself the task of clearing and trying to cultivate these lands would be 
simply throwing his money away, but in years to come these lands, or those 
nearest to the centres of population, will surely be reclaimed, and then it is 
that science wil] step in and show how it is to be done. Now what is the 
action of fresh water on vegetation? When felled trees are subjected to the 
action of water for any lengthened period, the soluble substances in their 
tissue are washed out, and the timber undergoes a change which results in 
most cases in its final destruction by decomposition. In the same manner, 
when a soil is exposed to constant saturation, or rather washing, with fresh 
water, that soil undergoes a chemical change. The soluble salts which militate 
against successful cultivation are washed away. The land becomes sweet, and, 
by working, is aerated. Agricultural operations may henceforth be carried on 
on such land under certain conditions of drainage, fertilising, &e. | 
To give an instance of this: In 1801, at the siege of Alexandria, the 
British cut the narrow neck of land which kept out the sea water and sub- 
meryed the estate of Dranet Pacha at Kap-ed-Dawar, and in the basin of Lake 
Aboukir, which was at one time one of the most fertile spots in Egypt, though 
lying below sea-level. The soil of these areas became charged with soluble 
salts to such an extent that no crop plant will grow uponit. These salts can 
only be removed in solution by washing. Such work has been successfully 
carried out on the land in question, which is being gradually but surely 
restored to its pristine fertility. Surface washing is found to be of no practical 
benefit. There is only one way of accomplishing the object in view—that is, 
by passing successive washirgs of fresh water through the body of the soil. 
The land to be treated is laid out in rectangular areas, 300 by 50 metres, con- 
taining about 84 acres each. On three sides, ditches 3 feet deep and 4: feet 
wide at the surface are dug, and retaining banks, to hold the water on the land 
to be treated, are constructed, 3 feet to 4 feet wide and 6 inches to 10 inches 
high, of the earth excavated from the ditches. Water is brought in at the 
higher end of the area, and as each charge soaks through and escapes by the 
drains, a new supply is run on—the operation being actively continued from 
September to May inclusive—one man, with wages of £1 per month, having 
in charge about 75 acres. In April the seeds of “dineba,” a native grass 
which thrives, like rice, in 6 inches of water, are sown, and if the reclamation 
be complete, clover may succeed it in the rotation. After a good crop of 
clover, cotton will grow, and the work may then be regarded as satisfactory. 
Heavy land which does not permit the water to pass freely through it may take 
also a portion of the following season to complete its washing, 
The area of Egypt under cultivation is over 6,000,000 acres, and the 
population numbers fully 9,500,000. It is stated by one authority that the 
soil of Egypt at one time supported 20,000,000 inhabitants, but at that time 
the cultivated area was probably much greater. It is believed that a natural 
dam which has been broken and worn away existed at the First Cataract, and 
that the decrease of population was concurrent with the diminution of the 
available water supply and the shrinkage of the area under cultivation. 
Dairying. 
ADULTERATION OF BUTTER. 
A Fact with which Queensland dairymen are probably not acquainted is that 
shiploads of what is called teal-seed are constantly being imported into Denmark 
from India. This seed, when pressed, produces a beautiful, tasteless, and ° 
inodorous fat, which is largely employed in the adulteration of butter. 
