260. QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Apnit, 1900. 
st, for, 
However, it may turn out that the seed has not been altogether lo bo the 
germinating readily as they do, a young forest of Algarobas may 
result. ib 
a vis! 
S + was a 
that tt 
d cattle, 
: . Bide - Dornayse 
Of the many uses of this tree and its products, mention is made in Bernay" 
treatise on “Cultural Industries.” There, quoting from reports of the Dep 
ment of Agriculture, U.S.A., it is spoken of as a common tree of the dese 7 
As a food for human beings, the bean, whole and ground into flour, of the 
appear to be an important product. According to these reports, some 
other uses to which it can be put are as follows, though, of course, 1 
been possible to verify them here as yet :— 
As a food, it says:—“ Travellers, both Indian and whites, chew them [ 
beans] as they journey on. They are not only nutritious, but are preven BG 
thirst, having an agreeable blending of acidity and sweetness somewhat lke © 
early harvest apple.” i ay 
As the pods ripen, they are gathered and stored for winter use, and tia 
pods are pounded and reduced to a powder which, being mixed with @ 3°. 
water, is pressed into large, thick cakes of several pounds weight and dre 
the sun. : ile 
The flour also, being very sweet, when mixed with water forms an apr ty 
drink, and when made into gruel is very palatable. A drink is also mace © 
fermentation, and excellent vinegar can be made from the pods. me 
The gum that exudes from the tree, on being perforated by insects, 18 °° 
eaten. 
With regard to the timber, &c., the report says :— 
has not 
d 
Fences made of this timber in Southern Texas have been known t0 i: 
in a perfect state of preservation for more than fifty years. It resembles /9 
vite in hardness and durability, and takes a polish like mahogany. Pees 
Not only the bark but the whole body of the tree is rich in tann™s vel 
analysis of shavings of the wood, made by the United States Departme? E 
Agriculture, showing that, as compared with other tanning materials, it thet 
very valuable, yielding a considerably higher amount of tannin than many °V~~ 
sources. wes 
A gum, much resembling gum arabic, exudes in considerable quan 
from the tree, and is by no means an unimportant product. Besides : 
exported, it is largely used in the home market for various technica 
medicinal purposes, such as gum drops, jujube paste, mucilage, &e. shat 
For those who desire to give the Algaroba a trial, it may be mentioned © atl 
seeds are available for distribution at the Kamerunga State Nursely ‘het 
application being made to the overseer. The seeds, unlike those of many ° ug 
trees, germinate very readily, some of the last lot put in here showing the f 
the ground in less than a week. A large quantity of plants will in coun ; 
time be available for distribution to those who prefer such to raising the! 
from seed. sans 
In planting out the Algaroba, ordinary care is sufficient. Some a 
however, must be devised to keep the horses and cattle from breaking 1 ith 
until it has a fair start, at the same time keeping the weeds from chokiDe — 
This being done, the tree will soon establish itself and make rapid growt®. ~ 
