1 Nov., 1899.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. “448 
The plan shown in the illustration is subject to such modifications as may 
© necessary to meet different conditions. Where it is inconvenient to take 
power to drive from the mill roll, a small vertical engine, geared direct to 
the head of the inclined carrier, is used. Instead of discharging the cane from 
the cars in the manner shown in the illustration, it has been found desirable in 
‘ome cases to elevate the load vertically from the cars by means of an overhead 
carriage, and deliver the entire load directly into the pit. This change can be 
Stected by a slight modification of the construction without any alteration being 
Tequired to the machinery or to the cars already existing on the estate. 
Tn the conduct of a modern Sugar estate, the saving of labour is an 
inportant feature, especially in the West Indies, where labour, at the present 
me, is most difficult to obtain. In the sugar business, as in other lines, 
Profitable results are now only obtained by conducting the operation on a large 
scale, and this is evidenced by the abandonment of the small plants and the 
extension in size and capacity of the large estates, on which 500 tons of cane 
‘id upwards are ground daily. This quantity of material cannot be unloaded 
*onomically by hand in the old way, as the large number of labourers required 
and the time lost by the loaded cars and carts waiting around on the batey, to 
ake their turn in this tedious process of unloading, makes the cost excessive, 
is machine provides a thoroughly reliable, efficient, and economical method of 
Unloading cane from cars and carts, so that they can be promptly returned 
- to the field, and it has fully met these requirements in the two years of actual 
Service, 
Tt has been demonstrated that this machine saves the services of 16 men, 
nd does the work usually performed by this labour in a much more satisfactory 
Manner, The economy offered by the use of this machine during one cro 
More than pays for the entire investment required, besides performing the 
Work with much more efficiency and facility. On a new estate this machine 
ees away with the necessity for the long-cane conductor, which has always ° 
Proved a source of expense and annoyance by reason of the power required to 
*perate and the costly delays occasioned by frequent breakdowns. 
_, _One of these machines is now being shipped to the Molokai Sugar Estate, 
or the American Sugar Company, where the cane from the cars and carts is dis. 
“harged directly into the pit and delivered by the cane-unloading machine 
rectly to the borro of the mill. Four more are now being built for use on 
*states in Cuba and Santo Domingo. The construction throughout is made 
*Xceedingly strong and rugged to meet the heavy service required. The 
“ipporting framework can be made of timber or steel, as may be desired.— 
wisiana Planter. 
THE PRINCIPLES OF SHEEP-BREEDING. 
No. 5. 
ihe dp. ash, HERMANN SCHMIDT. 
THE WOOL HAIR OR WOOL FIBRE. 
Tim whole mass of the Wool fibres as they grow on the sheep’s back presents 
“self in the shape of a large number of bunches, which are smaller or 
‘rger in size according to the qualities of the single fibres of which these 
“nches are composed. These natural congregations of wool hairs are called 
‘taples. ‘The external appearance, the shape, and the size of the staples are sure 
Sts of the qualities of the fibres of which they are composed, and a sheep-breeder 
Will be able to form a pretty correct idea about many of the qualities of the wool 
:Om the form of the staples alone, if he knows through what qualities of the 
“Ingle fibres certain formations of the whole staple will be effected. An 
;Xperienced sheepclasser can frequently tell nearly all the qualities of the wool 
by looking at the formation of the staples. In the meantime we must remember 
that the quality and the quantity of the yolk, the condition of the sheep on 
