TT7A_ i °° © 
456 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 June, 1900. 
suffers from a physiological trouble, a kind of tomato dropsy, visible 12 
swellings on both leaves and stems, and in the curling of the former. i 
disease results from an excess of water inthe tissues of the plant, and 1s encour 
aged by insufficient light, and by injudicious watering, especially im “ 
weather.— /ropical Agriculturist, Ceylon. 
PEANUT OIL. 
Tue United States Consul at Marseilles, in one of his late despatches, quotes 
portions of correspondence on the subject of peanut oil by several authorities. 
The substance of their remarks is that the oil of the Arachide (Barth if 
Pea Nut) has no special adaptation. It is the most polymorphous of all ous 
adapting itself to all purposes, including nutrition, lighting, lubrication, os 
blending. It is the most difficult to detect when mixed with olive oil, becaus 
its chemical reaction is white. There is no likelihood that it will ever be cola 
out by cotton oil. Its future depends upon African and Indian crops. T Fi 
best qualities of the oil are used for table purposes, either pure or mixed wl 
olive oil or sesame oil. As an illuminant, it gives a soft white light. When 
neutralised it is highly valued for lubricating purposes. At even prices, peanv 
oil is always preferred to cotton-seed oil. It can be used in every industry wg 
department of business when it can compete in price with other oils. a 
principal uses are for human consumption, as in salad oil, artificial butter, 1° 
mixing purposes, as an illuminant and lubricant, and for the manufacture 0 
soap. Peanut oil is the real type of the famous Marseilles white soap. 
The receipts of peanuts in Marseilles during the last three years were af 
follows:—In 1597, 8,355 tons of shelled, and 31,888 tons of unshelled ; 
1898, 5,466 tons shelled, and 63,286 of unshelled ; 1899, 9,579 tons shelled, an 
61,241 of unshelled. More oil is extracted from oleagmous seeds in the city h 
Marseilles than in any other trade centre in Europe. During certain years, the 
African crop of peanuts has been entirely swamped by Indian supplies, 42 aia 
one time it seemed as though Africa would be unable to compete with Inav 
permanently. India continues to be an important factor. Statistics would Bat 
to indicate that new demands have been created for oils of all grades. ‘The 
are now no stocks of oil seeds or of oil at Marseilles. America is consumiye 
vastly greater quantities of cotton oil than heretofore, and with a world we 
decrease in the amount of animal grease, which must be made up by veget# 
oils, there would seem to be assurances of profitable prices. a 
In conclusion, the Consul says: “I am disposed to believe that the trade nd 
Marseilles will not so much speculate on the prospect for success of America 
enterprise in this field as it will wonder why the effort has been so long delaye*- 
The above is abridged from the Californian Fruitgrower. db 
With regard to the cultivation of the peanut in Queensland, we cannot : 
better than refer our readers to an interesting article on the subject by ail 
Charles Batten, of Pimpama, which appeared in this Journal in July, 1895 
showing that the peanut plant bears heavily in this colony, and that 38d. pet oe 
can be obtained in America. ‘They would have to be exported, as there appe™ 
to be a very limited sale for the product in Queensland. de 
PEANUTS FOR NEW GUINEA. le 
Mr. Theodore Wood, late resident magistrate and member of the New Ga 1. 
Executive Council, writes :—Peanuts are likely to prove a remarkable succes® " an 
British New Guinea, certain portions of the Possession being eminently adapte 
for their cultivation. The first plantation is fairly underweigh, and the first ay 
is now being taken off it; and, so far, the samples we have seen are cap to f 
best that are grown elsewhere. As far as can be at present judged, t d 
_land in British New Guinea upon which peanuts are likely to thrive 
yield atleast 4 tons to the acre; and, given favourable seasons, the plantet 
may 
