1 Nov., 1898.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 389 
which a hole the shape it is desired to reduce the tree to has been cut; across 
the middle of the hole, from the top to the bottom, a piece of wire is stretched 
to serve as a guide to the eye. Holding the card at the level of the eye, with 
the wire opposite the centre of the trunk of the tree to be studied, the 
operator approaches the tree until the bottom of the cut falls on the trunk at 
the ground line. It is easy to see at a glance with the aid of this contrivance 
what operations should be performed in order to reduce the tree to the desired 
shape. Under ordinary circumstances a vigorous, handsome tree must have a 
straight, vertical trunk and evenly balanced head, and the first object should be 
to produce these conditions. By placing the instrument on a stick the 
required height, and placing it in an upright position, the pruner can move to . 
and from the tree without an assistant to help him in the work. 
BEET SUGAR FACTORIES. 
One of the most hopeful circumstances of Californian agriculture is said to 
be the rapid development of beet-growing for sugar production. Four sugar 
factories, capable of dealing with 2,950 tons of beets daily, were in operation 
last year in that State, and three more, with a capacity of 6,000 tons per day, 
will be opened this season. Growers get 16s. to 17s. per short ton (2,000 lb.) 
for the roots, which is a very good price in comparison with the prices of other 
kinds of farm produce in California; and the manufacturers calculate upon a 
considerable profit if they make even 2d. per lb. for the sugar, while fine 
granulated sugar is worth fully a halfpenny more.—Standard. 
A NEW USE FOR MAIZE. 
Tux Scientific American has received a sample of a rubber substitute made 
from corn. It is made from the oil derived from corn; and by vulcanising it 
in connection with an equal quantity of crude indiarubber, a substitute is pro- 
duced which, for certain purposes, is equal to the best gum rubber at a greatly 
lessened cost. The new corn rubber is claimed to possess all the essential 
qualities of Para rubber, including resiliency, and the discovery has been hailed 
with delight in the corn-growing States of the West. The manufacturers 
claim that the fact that corn oil does not oxidise readily makes this product of 
great value, since it is not affected by oxidation, so that products manufactured 
from it will always remain pliable, and not crack as those made from other 
substitutes. his interesting substitute for rubber is very dark-brown or 
black, and it easily rubs off in light-brown rolls. It is at present sold as low 
as 6 cents per lb.—Hachange. 
TO PREVENT BIRDS EATING FRUIT. 
Awyonr who has observed the habits of fructivorous birds will have noticed how 
fond they are of mulberries. The Brisbane sparrow will leave all other fruit 
to indulge in a mulberry feast. Now, this might suggest the idea of planting 
mulberry-trees in different parts of an orchard. The birds would take first to 
the mulberries, and having surfeited themselves on these would not take the 
trouble to attack any other fruit. There is another point to be gained by this 
proceeding. Many birds, although fruit-eaters, are also, to a great extent, 
insectivorous. The maligned sparrow, and many of the honey-eaters, leather- 
heads, minah birds, &c., delight in an occasional fresh-meat diet, as may 
easily be verified by those who take the trouble to watch them. Now, 
instead of slaughtering birds, which are our real friends if they do take toll of 
a little fruit, why not provide them with what little they want, and preserve 
them to assist the true insect-eaters in combating our insect pests. The 
senseless destruction of small birds is disastrous to the fruit industry. What 
can be said of men who, to get into practice for quail-shooting, systematicall 
shoot down apy and eyery small bird they come across, and call it “splendid 
practice?” 
