1 Jury, 1899.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 95 
results would have been very different. This is, of course, only surmise, but is 
a fair deduction from Mr. Schreiner’s book. His conclusion—* Australia is 
essentially a sheep country, and so, though the Angora may thrive fairly well in 
parts, it is so outclassed by the Merino that it does not pay to farm it’—may be 
essentially correct. He adds, “If the goat is ever farmed there, it will probably 
be exclusively in parts not suited to the sheep.” 
AnGoras av THe Capr.—tThe first Angora goats were imported into Cape 
Colony in 1838 asa hobby. In 1856 Mosenthal imported thirty, desiring to 
develop the mohair trade, and next year Sir Titus Salt, being convinced that 
Turkey could not supply the growing demand, sent out a number. There are 
to-day 2,982,811 Angora goats in the colony, besides 2,333,956 other goats and. 
kids. In the same year the export of mohair from Cape Colony began with 
870 lb., valued at G10. In 10 years it was 50,832 lb., worth £1,963. In 1897 the 
export was 12,583,601 Ib., valued at £676,644. In 1895 America produced about 
500,000 Ib., thus showing that the industry has never really caught on there. 
Of the 18,000,000 Ib. to 20,000,000 Ib. annually produced, England takes 
nearly all. 
The price has fluctuated very much. From 1858 to 1876 it was below 3s. 
per lb. for brief periods, while it usually ranged between 3s. 3d. and 3s. 9d., and 
it went as high as 4s. Id. in 1870. The period of high prices came to an end 
in 1880 owing to the manufacture of “all-wool cashmere goods.” Now the 
price fluctuates according to the caprice of fashion. 
The value of the Cape exports of mohair and ostrich feathers is equal to 
three-quarters of the wool exported, yet there are 12,500,000 Merinos and 
Cape sheep in the colony. The ostriches number 267,693. 
TREE-GUARDS FOR STREETS OR PRIVATE PLACES—SIMPLRE, 
— CHEAP, AND EASY TO MAKE. 
By R. R. HARDING, 
' Curator, Toowoomba Botanic Gardens, 
Tux trees growing in the streets of this town (Toowoomba) had grown strong 
enough, so that the old unsightly triangle guards could be taken away. This 
gave free access for horses, when fastened to the trees, to girdle them ; also for 
vehicles to damage the lower parts. This was done to such an extent that it 
became a question whether to give them some permanent protection, or to take 
them out and plant afresh. The trees had been repaired often with pieces of 
bark taken from others, also with bagging, but to no purpose. Something was 
needed to be done for them in the way of a guard of such a nature that it could 
not be utilised by persons to fasten their horses to. 
I designed and submitted to the Municipal Council three models of tree- 
guards. These were adopted, and thinking that the information might be 
useful to the readers of the Journal (as the guards are adapted to orchards and 
private gardens, streets and parks, where protection is required for the trees), 
I here give particulars with copies of the designs. They are so cheaply con- 
structed that a boy can make and fix them up, and I am quite sure there are 
plenty of places where the owner has a few trees growing, but is afraid to let 
the cattle in to cat the grass for fear of his trees being girdled. 
No. 1. % Make.—-Procure some battens 2 inches by L inch, of the length 
required. Place these on edge, and bore holes 1 inch from the ends at the to 
and bottom, and in the centre. Take 1 batten and bore holes the full length 2 
inches apart. .Cut these off, and this gives a number of blocks, which require 
to be bevelled off on the inside These blocks will be of the same width as the 
battens. Put the requisite number of battens on a level place with a- block 
between each, opposite the holes. Get 8 lengths of pliable wire 1 foot longer 
than what is required, to allow for the twisting. Pass the wires through the 
battens and blocks, 2 blocks to be on the end batten, as shown in the diagram. 
Turn the guard over, take a strip of leather and nail this at the top in a line 
with the blocks. This is to prevent the guard from injuring the bark. Place 
