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i Jan., 1900.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 39 
but it took a strong taste, which was not overcome till the scalding had been repeated 
half a dozen times. European oak discolours badly, and gives a stronger taste, neces- 
sitating at least as much trouble to get rid of it. I believe some galt added to the 
water quickens the effect. In my opinion the Silky Oak would answer for casks as 
large as hogsheads if the staves were made as thick as the stoutest oak rum hogs- 
heads. To this there would be no objection, as they would still be lighter than the 
rum-casks. Also, the staves should be left long at the chime, and the heads should 
be made of Beech. It is a beautifully easy-working wood. I have tried Rosewood in 
the same way, but it is difficult to get the colour and taste out of it. Neither will it 
split as a rule, I think. Otherwise it is a close, firm, light wood, beautiful to work. 
Tam, &e., 
ALwarp. WYNDHAM. 
I came across a valuable article by one of our pioneer vignerons, which is 
well worthy of reference now. It is called “Colonial Casks for Colonial 
Wines,” and is to be found in the Sydney Magazine of Science and Art for 
July, page 28.—J. H. Marpen. 
Botany. 
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FLORA OF QUEENSLAND. 
By F. MANSON BAILEY, F.L.S., 
Colonial Botanist. 
Order LEGUMINOSZ. 
ACACIA, Willd. 
A. Rothii, Bail. (n. sp.) Aboriginal name (Batavia River), “Lar.” Branchlets 
slender, compressed. Phyllodia membranous, linear-lanceolate, 6 to 7 in. long, 
6 to 8 lines broad near the centre, slightly falcate, with 2 or 3 principal nerves 
more or less confluent at the base, petiole portion short, very glandular-angular, 
witha small sunk oval gland on margin of the lamina quite at the base, apex 
usually obtuse and glandular-apiculate. Judging froma pod attached to one of 
the specimens received, the flowers are borne in globose heads on somewhat 
short peduncles, or perhaps sometimes forming few-branched panicles. Pod 
flat, woody, about 4 in. long and over 14 in. broad in the upper oblong half, 
thence somewhat abruptly tapering to an acute, straight, or curved base ; sutures 
bordered with a narrow edge, the valves prominently transversely veined outside 
and reticulate almost alveolate inside. Seeds transverse along the centre of the 
od and sunk in the substance of the valves, oval-oblong, about 5 lines long; 
unicle straight, expanding at the top into a cup-shaped arillus enclosing about 
one-third of the seed. 
Hab.: Mouth of the Batavia River, Dr. W.E. Roth. The position of the present species 
seems between A. latescens, Benth, and A, sericata, A. Cunn, 
POISONOUS WEEDS IN THE SPRINGSURE DISTRICT. 
ASSISTANT BOTANIST’S REPORT. 
Tue following is a copy of a report which has been submitted to the Minister 
for Agriculture (Hon. J. V. Chataway) by Mr. J. F. Bailey, Assistant 
Government Botanist, with reference td poisonous plants in the Springsure 
district :-— 
_I have the honour to submit the following report of my visit to the 
Springsure district for the purpose of examining the stock route from Springsure 
towards Bauhinia Downs, along which stock had died, as was supposed, from 
