1 Noy., 1899.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 465 
Wherever a manure heap is formed here, nut-grass always disappears from 
the place beneath, and if the manure is removed after about a year the ground 
Temains free from the plant until it works in from the adjoining ground or is 
carried in by some means. 
Tn the nurseries, &c., here, nut-grass used to be a plague. Of course it is 
still present, and probably ever will be, as it has ever been in all regions where 
it is known, and Hee are many; but it is not present in a form to do any harm 
worth considering, because a systematic system of control is established. It 
cannot be eradicated any more than droughts can be stopped, but it can be 
accepted as one of the difficulties to be overcome, and so dealt with as to be 
tendered comparatively harmless.. 
That it has not been tackled at the right time and in the right way, 
“explains,” to again quote the pamphlet of the United States Department of 
Agriculture, “the whole story of its universal triumph over the patience, sweat, 
curses, and blows of the millions who have warred on it.” 
DAKOTA MILLET, 
By HENRY A. TARDENT, 
Manager of the Biggenden Experiment Farm 
Tuts is another good fodder plant well worth a trial in Queensland. In 
America it is well thought of by the farmers of the west, as it can stand 
uninjured a considerable amount of dry weather. It grows in abundant stools, 
and its vertical stems reach a height of from 4 to 6 feet. They are well pro- 
vided with alternate dark-green leaves, which form practically the best part of 
the plant. Asa green fodder it is greatly relished by all kinds of stock. It 
can also be turned into good hay and chaff, though somewhat difficult to’cure 
properly, the stems getting dry much slower than the leaves. I+ makes a good 
ensilage, especially when passed first through the chaffeutter, The heads are 
elongated and spindle-shaped, like those of the ordinary pearl millet. The 
Seeds are good for poultry and pizs. On the coast the Dakota millet can be 
Sown broadcast at the rate of from 15 to 20 1b. per acre. In the dry West it is 
better to drill it in —1 foot apart—in which case from 8 to 10 Ib. of seed will 
be sufficient to sow one acre. In a fair season the returns will be from 15 to 
20 bushels of seeds per acre, and from 8 to 12 tons of green stuff the result of 
two to three successive cuttings. 
THE WOOL INDUSTRY FROM A BUYER'S STANDPOINT. 
No. 2. 
By F. E. STURMFELS, 
Tue average merino wool produced in the Australian colonies between 30 and 
40 years ago was of quite a different type to what it is at the present date. 
Classing in those days was of rare occurence ; and where it was attempted, the 
Tesult was very unsatisfactory. It therefore devolved upon the manufacturer 
to sort the wool, and as the machinery then was not so perfect as it is now, it 
Was necessary to pay particular attention to this process. It was not unusual 
to divide the fleece into 12 qualities, and sometimes more; but with the 
advancement which has taken place in breeding of the sheep, together with the 
improvements in machinery for the combing and spinning of wool, sorting is 
almost a thing of the past as regards the bulk of carefully handled Australian 
Merinos, this result being, to a great extent, due to the fact that, as we have 
Now to deal with a more even fleece, classing in the colonies has taken the place 
