1 Ocr., 1899.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 343 
Adverting to the general subject of broom corm cultivation, as indicated in 
these articles, there may be many points that are not touched upon. 1 have, as 
far as in my power, dealt with the practice I have always adopted in my own 
cultivation, the result of some experience. ‘To those contemplating the growing 
of this crop, I would suggest that it is not one that will be found as congenial 
to produce as many crops I am acquainted with. The farmer who wishes to 
succeed must be prepared to give prompt attention to the many different 
operations involved, and to patiently put up with the most exasperating of 
personal discomforts consequent on carrying out the preparation of the crop. 
However, it is a rotation that for many reasons must commend itself to our 
farmers. I hope, in the near future, to note that not only shall our local 
factories be amply supplied with this material, but our surplus be largely exported 
to all the colonies of Australasia, thereby cutting out the imports of fibre from 
America and the large imports of manufactured brooms from that continent 
and from Italy. 
CURING COW-PRA HAY. 
One of the difficulties in connection with m 
losing most of, if not all, the leayes, which, with the exception, of course, of the 
pea itself, is the best part of the hay. Writing on this subject, a Florida farmer 
Says :— 
[ find pea hay the easiest cured of anything in the hay line I have tried, 
and that, too, without the loss of a single leaf or pea. Take some little poles 
about 3 inches in diameter and 12 feet long; set them at convenient distances 
apart in the field and about 2 feet in the ground. Take two bits of board 2 
feet long and 2 or3 inches wide ; nail them across the pole about 2 feet from the 
ground, crossing each other at right angles to hold the peas off the ground and 
allow the air to circulate freely under them. (Cut your peas when dry, no 
matter whether the sky is clear or cloudy ; and without waiting for them to wilt 
stack them around the pole on the boards, m: 
d } uking the stack small in diameter. 
not more than 8 feet—and as high 
: as you can reach with the fork. Place some 
crab-grass or anything that will shed tain on top; 
und your peas, rain or shine 
will cure out as bright and sweet as can be, Uttar Saar ; 
In two or three weeks lift pole, peas and all, 
take them to the barn, slip the pole out and mow 
By stacking the peas before wilting they reta 
by lifting pole and all to cart them to the barn y 
not rattle them off, 
The vines being coarse, and the leaves thin, if the stack is kept small in 
diameter, no matter how wet the season is, the air circulates through them 
enough to cure the peas perfectly. 
Where barn room is scarce, I have left them i 
though somewhat weather- stained, horses eat them with relish. 
I think anyone who tries this method finds it so simple and effective that 
they raise pea hay because it is the easiest hay made if not because it is the best. 
If the weather is rainy, when you comm 
, mence your stack have a fork full of 
crab-grass handy, then cut peas and stack till a minute before the rain actually 
falls, then cover your partly built stack till the rain is over. As soon as the 
peas are dry enough to ¢éut again, lay off your fork full of crab-grass and 
complete your stack 
aking Cow-pea hay is the danger of 
place them on the wagon, 
them away. 
in all the leaves and peas, and 
ou do not disturb them, and do 
n the stack all winter, and. 
— 
STATE FARM EXHIBITS AT BOWEN PARK. 
PRoMINENT amongst the agricultural exhibits at the Jate Exhibition of the 
Queensland National Association, at Bowen Park, were the fine displays made 
by Mr. Ross, manager of the Hermitage State Farm, and Mr. Quodling, of the 
Westbrook establishment. These clearly demonstrated what can be done on 
good, bad, and indifferent soils by good farming, 
