1 Mar., 1902.) QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 169 
principles of the “ Carter method of root selection” for seed purposes, which 
embodies the following tests:—The specific gravity of the entire root—this 
is a guide to its keeping quality ; the specific gravity of the juice of the flesh— 
this is a guide to its feeding quality. The percentage of water is ascertained and 
diminished by selection. The quantity of saccharine matter and other diges- 
tible solids are ascertained and increased; the quantity of indigestible dry 
matter ascertained and diminished. Roots selected under this method combine 
highest density in the juice and in the whole root, the least amount of water, 
the least amount of indigestible dry matter, and the greatest quantity of 
digestible solids. When planted for seed purposes each root is analysed, and 
all those which do not reveal a strong combination of the above qualities are 
rejected. This has been introduced by Messrs, Carter and Co., the King’s 
seedsmen, High Holborn, W.C., and is attracting a great deal of attention in 
the agricultural world.— Farmer and Stockbreeder. 
WOOD INSTEAD OF CANVAS FOR REAPERS. 
The trouble experienced by agriculturists, particularly in wet weather, in 
regard to the canvases of the harvesters and binders in common use, has been 
of such a serious character that anything that can be devised to obviate this 
inconvenience cannot fail to receive the most cordial weleome. Mr. W. Brown, 
Drumgley, Forfar, whose mechanical genius has already been profitably 
applied in various directions connected with the practice of husbandry, has 
been experimenting for some time with the object of effecting an improvement 
in the particular matter referred to, and the result has recently been made 
known. 
Mr. Brown’s idea has been to substitute for the present method of lifting 
the grain a series of octagonal wooden rollers, the position at present taken by 
the uppe: and lower elevating canvases, and the result of the trial was to 
demonstrace to those present that the idea is a thoroughly practical one. The 
rollers, which are about 5} inches in diameter, and are placed about 13 inches 
apart, readily catch the grain and carry it to the binding-tabler, where it is 
manipulated by the knotter in the ordinary way. ‘The wooden rollers experi- 
mented with certainly add to the weights of the binder, but it is obvious that 
the idea can readily be applied in material of a lighter character. ‘The motion 
is brought on by an ordinary pitch chain running over a series of pinions 
attached to the end of each of the wooden rollers. Mr. Brown has tested the 
invention on all classes of crops and under different weather conditions. On 
one occasion he used it when the crop was wet without any of that inconveni- 
ence attaching to machines fitted with the ordinary canvases. 
In cutting and binding rye grass, on which it has been tested, the result 
has been equally satisfactory. Altogether the idea, which is protected by 
atent rights, is sure to lead to a new departure with regard to the reaper and 
Biter of the future, and Mr. Brown may well be congratulated on the success 
which has attended the application of a practical mind over a period of years to 
the removal of a fault which has been a source of expense and annoyance to all 
agriculturists.— Scottish Harmer. 
FLAX CULTURE, 
By I. HAYWARD, Homebush. 
Having been brought up to the cultivation and preparation of flax from 
sowing of the seed to preparing it for market in the old country, I have taken 
great interest in your notes on flax-growing by Messrs. Woolfe Brothers, of 
Traralgon. I sowed some seed here three years ago, but as it did not germinate 
I put it down to bad seed. Since then I have not tried any, as I thought 
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