4.24. QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Ocr., 1899. 
A RUBBER-EXTRACTING MACHINE. 
Tur Jamaica Agricultural Journal says:—A practical machine for extracting 
rubber from any part of the rubber-tree, twigs, branches, trunk or roots, and 
one which has satisfactorily stood test, is now being manufactured in large 
quantities, and put on the market at about £7 each. Probably our Jamaica 
milk withe could be profitably utilised by the aid of this machine. 
A GOOD MANURE FOR TOMATOES. 
Ir tomatoes are heavily manured late in the development of the plant, fruiting 
will be delayed. Nitrate of soda has been found to increase the yield 35 to 60 
per cent., but it should be used in connection with other manures, as phosphoric 
acid and potash are also required, and these increase the yield and improve the 
quality of the fruit. Superphosphate has been found to hasten the maturing 
of the fruit. A good manure is made up as follows :—Two parts nitrate of soda, 
two parts bonemeal, three parts kainit, and four parts superphosphate. Apply 
1 oz. per square yard of soil once a week from the time that the plants are 
established till the fruit has set. 
AN ANT EXTERMINATOR. 
Wrrs the approach of summer, the ants of various kinds will begin once more 
to trouble the householder. The latest method of destruction is said to be the 
use of gasoline. Pour about a half-pint of gasoline into the ant hill or nest, 
and set it afire. The gasoline will instantly spread through all the nest, and, as 
the heat on the surface increases, the gas will generate from the utmost recesses, 
and the fire will cook the ants. Half-a-pint of gasoline will burn from three to 
eight hours, and kill every ant in the largest nest, as well as all which attempt to 
enter it from without. 
TOMATO PULP FOR EXPORT. ; 
Tur Minister for Agriculture, New South Wales (says the Tenterfield Star), 
has ascertained that there is an extensive demand for tomato pulp in England. 
He is surprised to think there should be any possible necessity to obtain 
tomato pulp from a country like’ Canada, when in some parts of New South 
Wales tomatoes grow most luxuriantly, and even wild. Inquiries have been 
received in Canada from a house in England for large quantities of tomato 
pulp. The pulp must be put up in sealed tins, and must be free from acids 
and preservatives of any kind. This may open up new possibilities for the 
tomato industry—to what extent can only be ascertained by actual experi- 
ment. It is to be hoped that persons will be found sufficiently enterprising to 
interest themselves in a practical way in the matter. Mr. J. S. Larke, the 
Canadian Trade Commissioner in Australia, in his last report to the Department 
of Trade and Commerce, pointed out that there was a maker of sauce in 
Australia who wanted tomato pulp, for which he was willing to pay 50 dollars 
per ton. 
CANNING STRAWBERRIES. 
Tur strawberry season being now in full swing, some growers might be anxious 
to try canning the fruit whole. Here is a recipe given by a practical man in 
the Pacific Rurai Press :—First, select nice berries in prime condition. If 
necessary wash them. To 1 Ib. of granulated sugar use sufficient water to 
moisten the sugar. Place on stove and let come to a good boil, skimming well 
of all impurities. Now drop in about six drops of lemon juice, and let boil until 
it hairs. To this amount of syrup add 11b. of the berries, and let boil slowly for 
five minutes. Take from the stove, cover and let stand ina cool place six or eight 
hours. At the end of that time cleanse your bottle with hot water and fill with 
the berries. Overflow the jars with syrup and seal tight. On the scientific 
principle that two bodies cannot occupy the same space at the same time—in 
canning any fruit, overflow the bottles with the syrup of the fruit and seal 
