1 Ocr., 1901.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. ‘ 435 
General Notes. 
FIBRE IN GERMAN EAST AFRICA. 
It is expected that the cultivation of fibre will be very profitable. There 
are at present over 800,000 Hourcroya gigantea plants and 750,000 Agave 
sisalana. Compared to other products, the cultivation of fibre is very simple 
and inexpensive. ‘The only fear is that, owing to over-production, the price 
will fall considerably, and the article will become a drug in the market. 
Within the last few months Fourcroya hemp has fallen from 33s. to 25s. per 
ewt. The first Sisal Agave bulbs were introduced by the German East Africa 
Company in 1891, forty-six being brought from Yucatan and planted in the 
Kikogwe Estate. From the original forty-six plants over 700,000 have been 
obtained in nine years. At Kikogwe alone there are 640,000, covering an area 
of 1,000 acres, whilst 65,000 have been distributed amongst the German East 
Africa Company’s other estates. The Sisal Agave at Kikogwe only lives for 
fiye or six years, when allowed to go to seed. When the leaves are regularly 
cut, the life of the plants will probably be considerably longer. The annual 
produce of each plant is about forty leaves, or 2 lb. of dry fibre. During the 
year under review a sample of 100 ewt. of fibre was sent out and sold for 50s. 
per ewt. — British Acting Vice-Consul at Dar-es Salaam, British Trade 
Journal. 
[A few years ago it was attempted to form a small company in Brisbane 
to commence the cultivation of Sisal hemp. But the usual apathy in such 
matters caused the project to be abandoned. Meanwhile Germany steps in 
where Queensland fears to tread, and the above is the result.—Hd. Q.A.J.] 
CANDIED PEEL. 
To candy orange and lemon peel, cut the fruit lengthwise and remove the 
pulp. Soak the peels in salt and water for three or four days, then boil in 
fresh water till soft. Place on a sieve to drain. Make a syrup of 1 Ib. 
of sugar to 1 quart of water, and in this boil the peels again till clear. Then 
make a very strong syrup by mixing sugar with just sufficient water to melt it. 
Boil the peels in this slowly till the sugar candies, then take them out, strew 
powdered sugar over them, and dry either before the fire or in a cool oven. 
A WONDERFUL PLOUGH. 
Dr. Gatling, who invented the Gatling gun, has now given to the world the 
idea of a motor plough. This marvellous invention enables one man to plough 
830 acres a day. A St. Louis company has taken up the invention, and our 
American cousins may be depended upon to work it for all it is worth. 
RICE BRAN FOR FEED. 
Professor W. R. Dodson, of the A. and M. College, Baton Rouge, La., is 
quoted as saying: Rice bran and rice polish, by-products from the rice mills, 
form excellent feed, comparing favourably with corn. A ton of rice bran 
contains approximately 240 lb. of protein. A ton of corn contains only 194 1b., 
a difference of 25 per cent. in favour of rice bran. On the other hand, 
corn contains 21 per cent. more carbohydrates. Rice bran is quoted at $8°50 
per ton. This would represent corn at about 25 cents per bushel. But as it is 
a by-product its price will vary with the price of corn, for which it more nearly 
serves as a substitute. 
