1 FEs., 1902.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 83 
The Long Yellow variety came next with roots weighing from 20 lb. to 
25 |b.; next, the Red Globe, 18 Ib. to 22 lb. ; and last, the Yellow Globe, 15 lb. 
to 20 lb. 
As an experiment, a small area was planted out from plants raised in a 
germinating bed. They rooted readily, and when grown no difference in size 
was noticeable between them and those raised from seed sown direct in the row. 
The fact that they will transplant readily is worth knowing, as the young 
plants can be raised while the land is being prepared for the crop. A saving in 
seed is also effected, no after thinning out being required; neither has any 
hand-weeding to be carried out on the land during the time the seeds are 
germinating. On the other hand, it would be useless to attempt to transplant 
unless the ground is ina moist condition. 
There is no better preventive of “lampas”’ in horses than a few whole 
mangels or swedes. Mr. Brookes also sends photos. of beets, kohl rabi, &c., 
produced on Biggenden State Farm, which are here shown. 
? 
THE LITTLE IRON COWPEA. 
We have not heard of any pests attacking the roots of the cowpea in 
{ueensland, but pests are so easily introduced and thrive so well in this grand 
climate that it is well to be prepared for anything that may happen in that way. 
In South Carolina tiny little worms in countless numbers attack the roots of 
the plants, causing them to languish and die. The United States Agricultural 
Department, seeing that there was danger almost of extermination of this 
useful forage and green fertiliser crop, made a series of experiments with a 
view to finding a resistant strain of cowpea. To this end some seventy-five 
varieties of cowpea were sown on the worst infested land of South Carolina. 
Of these, seventy-four withered and died; one only, the Little Iron Cowpea, 
flourishing, immune to the attacks of the worms. Next year the Department 
‘hopes to have plenty of seed ; and advises all farmers to try it whenever they 
can get the seed, even although all the local strains of this variety have not yet 
been proved to be immune. The Department is making similar tests with 
other plants subject to root-worm disease. It has been found that in nearly all 
families of plants there are certain individuals in an infested crop which escape 
attack, so that by saving the seeds of these, sowing them and saving the seeds 
again of those that survive, an immune variety is at length produced. The 
Little Iron Cowpea is rather rare in the United States, but seed will soon, it is 
hoped, be plentiful. 
, 
AGRICULTURE ON THE GOLD COAST. 
In the beginning of the eighteenth century, the enterprising Dutch had 
trading settlements on the famous Gold Coast in West Africa. Readers of the 
history of trade of that period and the previous century are familiar with the 
rise and progress of the infamous slave trade then considered a quite legitimate 
business. Large fortunes were made by owners of slaving vessels, and thousands 
of unhappy natives were slaughtered by the traders. There is a very old book 
which was published in 1665, entitled “ The Golden Coast or a Description of 
Guinney together with a relation of such Persons as got Wonderful Estates by 
their Trade thither.” Putting aside the exaggerations which were common to 
most seafaring adventurers of the time, the book contains much that is 
interesting concerning this, the most unhealthy of all British possessions. Its 
coast line extends for 225 miles, and, since the Ashantee war, it stretches far 
into the interior. The British bought out the Danes in 1851 and the Dutch 
in 1871, and since then has set in an era of prosperity of which few in this 
country have the remotest idea. 
