1 Noy., 1898.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 361 
ratio of cane-sugar and Brix; this may vary from 65 to 95, so that the per 
cent. of Brix would have to be multipled by a number somewhere between 
65 to 95 
100 
two canes—A. and B—giving 15 and 16 percent. Brix respectively. Now, the 
quotient of A. might be 94, while that of B might be only 84; A would thus 
contain alittle less than 141 per cent. cane-sugar, and B a little less than 13°4: per 
cent. cane-sugar, because the quotient of the whole cane, as a rule, is a little 
less than that of the cane-juice expressed as described. 
A. better method of squeezing the cane would be between two small rollers 
set ina frame. Such an apparatus would probably cost 40s. or 45s. It would 
be much better for the farmer to take the few canes to his house and test them 
there; but there is nothing to prevent him carrying out this work in the field. 
The only portable apparatus on the market at present to test the density of 
the cane in the field is the “ Betzonick’s Cane Tester.” This apparatus consists 
essentially of an inner perforated brass cylinder about 14 inches long. 
Vitting tightly into this cylinder is a piston that can be moved up or down by 
a long brass screw working in a nut on the end of the cylinder. ‘The perforated 
cylinder is surrounded by an outer cylinder of brass, haying attached to one 
end an apparatus to cut cylindrical sections 1 inch in diameter. The section- 
gutter may be replaced by a solid brass plate screwing on to the bottom of the 
cylinder. 
In using the apparatus, the piston is screwed up to the top of the cylinder. 
The section-cutter being in place, sections are taken from the cane or canes to 
be tested at various places of the stalk. When the inner cylinder is full of 
cane sections, the cutter is removed and replaced by the solid brass plate. ‘Two 
hooks are attached to the bottom of the brass plate, which catch conveniently 
on. the tramline or a stick of wood. The piston is screwed down, the expressed 
juice passing through the perforations of the inner cylinder, and is caught in 
the outer cylinder, from which it is removed through a small hole into a small 
tin cylinder. he density of the cane juice is now ascertained by means of a 
small Brix Spindle, also supplied with the instrument. The cost of this 
instrument is, I believe, £5 5s. in Sydney. 
to express the per cent. cane-sugar. For example, let us suppose 
MANURING OF TROPICAL PLANTS. 
Arruovan there is, in tropical Queensland, a large area of virgin soil, 
eminently suited for sugar, coffee, rice, cotton, &c., still there are lands in the 
older sugar districts which are practically worked out and which require 
manuring to bring them back to a state of fertility. We propose, in a series 
of articles, to consider the question of manuring such lands with different 
fertilisers, with special reference to nitrates, phosphates, and potash. 
German scientists have given much time to exhaustive experiments in this 
direction, and the following nine articles reproduced from a pamphlet issued by 
the Verkaufs-Syndikat der Kaliwerke, Leopoldshall-Stassfurt, will be found to 
contain much that is of value and interest to sugar, coffee, tobacco, and rice 
growers in the colony. 
INTRODUOTION. 
One of the most important conditions for the healthful growth of every 
plant is the presence in the soil of the essential plant-food ingredients in such 
a form as will ensure their ready assimilation by the plant. 
These plant-food ingredients were originally present in the soil in large 
quantities, although not readily available. The decomposition of these 
materials takes place moro rapidly in tropical and sub-tropical than in 
temperate regions. 
