352 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Nov., 1898. 
disease was when the trams started in Brisbane; the yards and stables were 
filled with coal-ash, then the stalls were bedded with plenty of fresh sawdust ; 
thus a lot of the coal-ash got mixed with the sawdust and manure, and was 
carted away, and unwisely used by the planters for pineapples. There are 
others, again, who fancy that pines cannot get too much manure; this is a 
mistake, and is the last cause of the appearance of the disease in the pineapple 
plant. (It cannot affect the fruit when formed on the plant itself.) 
About twenty-five years ago, when walking through a plantation of pines, 
I noticed what is known to growers as blanks (being a small opening or vacant 
spot here and there among the rows of old pines), and that these blanks were 
filled up with at least 14 to 2 feet deep with fresh horse manure. I turned 
to my friend and said, “This cannot be good for the pines,” and I also said that 
he would live to see that I was right. He asked for an explanation, which I gaye 
in this way: Making a hole in the middle of one of these blanks, I requested 
him to put his hand down into it, and feel the great heat for himself, and to 
notice the smoke rising from it. ‘Then I went to another blank, put my hand 
down, and took a handful of the manure up very steadily, asking him to observe 
the long threads (like cobwebs) hanging to it, so much so that one would have 
thought that the manure had been mixed with cobwebs.* My explanation 
was that such heaps of fresh manure, put almost directly on the pine-roots, 
must eventually rot or parboil all the roots on the surface, when the manure 
-became wet and then got the hot sun blazing upon it; and as nearly all the 
roots are on the surface, it must produce a weakness to the plant, and end in 
its destruction altogether. I believe that I am right in saying that the disease 
was first seen on that plantation; and that on many of those plantations where 
the disease has been noticed, the plants came directly or indirectly from it. 
While quite agreeing with centre manuring, and plenty of it too, I think that 
there ought to be at least 4 to 6 inches between the manure and the pine-roots, 
which can easily be done by putting all the trimmings of the leaves around the 
hole and all over the vacant spot, or by placing a layer of grass on it before 
putting in the manure, so that when rain does come all the substance will soak 
into the roots, and at the same time keep the roots much cooler. 
Now that we have the disease in pines, the question arises: How, are we 
to get rid of it, or put a check to its ravages? My opinion is that we can get 
rid of it, not by slipshod farming, but by actual hard work, both with hands 
and head. Had the growers years ago used a little more brain with their 
growing of the pines, there would not be any trouble with this disease now. 
The best thing that we growers can do is to do our own work and with a 
united effort, and not trouble the Government until we have tried our skill first ; 
and if we fail, then it will be time enough to ask them to help us. Let the 
growers form themselves into an association and see what can be done towardy 
eradicating the disease, and, if needs be, appoint an officer for the purpose of 
inspecting plants and ground about to be planted with pines, and giving such 
instruction as may be necessary. 
But, above all, I would say: See that all ground is well prepared before 
planting ; this, combined with 2 mixture that I would suggest in the treatment 
of older pines, would help to destroy the disease, if not free us altogether from 
it. The mixture consists of 2 parts of good manure, 1 part of ground, and 
3 parts of elbow-grease to be applied with a liberal supply of brain sauce. 
Years ago we could grow far heavier pines—that is, the common or rough leaf 
—that any you see about now. I have grown them myself up to 6% lb. in 
weight. [The Department has already experts in its service who are always 
prepared to advise as to suitable soils, disinfection of plants, and inspection.— 
Ed. Q.4.J.] 
* Mushroom spawn, probably.—Ed. Q.4.J. 
