460 ; QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Nov., 1901. 
Dairy.— During the month theayerage number of cows milked was fifty-four: 
head. 2,060 gallons of milk were treated at the factory; of this, 1,570 gallons. 
yielded 681 lb. of butter; and 490 gallons gave a return of 580 lb. of cheese ; 
435 gallons were supplied to the dining hall; 280 gallons fed to calves; and 
65 gallons used for domestic purposes. The increase in dairy stock was: Ayr- 
shires, 2 head; Jerseys, 1; crossbreds, 3. The dairy herd were fed on natural, 
grasses throughout. 
Pigs.—The inérease of pigs was as follows:—Pure Berkshires, 9 boars, 
8 gilts; crossbreds, 30 head. Sales: Pure Berkshires, 6 boars, 5 gilts; Middle: 
Yorks, 1 boar; Tamworth, 1 boar; large Yorks-Berks., 1 gilt. Six pigs were 
killed, and are being converted into bacon. 
Mechanical Department.—One hundred and seventy feet of water pipes. 
laid to connect main with kitchen. our pairs of gates have been made by 
students to complete the enclosing of B Dormitory. Alterations, for the 
purpose of giving better ventilation, were made at the piggery. Several 
poultry-houses were completed. Minor repairs were effected at the stables and 
cowsheds. Gravel was carted, and used to fill up low places under kitchen 
building. We had the blacksmith for a few days only during the month ; very 
little work was therefore done in the smithy. 
Poultry.—Good progress is now being made with the poultry yards, and it 
is expected that they will be completed within the next four weeks; better 
results all round will then be obtained. The increase for the month was 120 
chickens, including White and Silver-laced Wyandottes, Dorkings, Black and 
Buff Orpingtons, and Old English Game. The best layers are to be found in. 
the Black Orpingtons, White and Silver Wyandottes, and Dorkings, An 
incubator—Harris and Dobson’s “ Eclipse ’’-—has been purchased, and 150 eges 
are now being hatched. 
Thanks are due to the Hon. A. J. Thynne for presenting the College 
with a splendid Wyandotte cock: and also to Mr. Robert Hall for books for 
the library. The second and third year students have formed a debating 
class, from which good results have already accrued. Everything is now going 
on smoothly, and a good year’s work is anticipated. Numerous applications 
have been received for admission to the College, and it is thought that next 
year the demand for accommodation will be very great. 
DESTRUCTION OF PRICKLY PEAR. 
Some little time ago, with a view to determining the efficacy of certain . 
methods of destroying the prickly pear, which has now become a so serious and 
widely spread peth especially in the districts west of the Main Range, the 
Department of Agriculture decided to carry out some experiments on a badly 
infested area. The agricultural adviser, Mr. Peter McLean, in order to make 
a thorough trial of the method decided on, selected one of the worst pieces of 
country in the Westbrook area, This was a steep, rocky hill, known as 
Bunker’s Hill, situated near to and adjoining the Westbrook State Farm. The 
hill covers an area of about 145 acres of excellent land, thickly strewn with 
volcanic stone, parts indeed being so rocky that pick and shovel would have to 
be used if it were intended to plant the smallest tree. Nearly the whole of 
this area was covered with a dense growth of prickly pear, most of it of great 
height. 
zi All arrangements having been made for the continuous carrying on of the 
work, five men were engaged on day-work. At the outset, it appeared an 
almost hopeless task to clear the hill, or any considerable portion of it, yet the 
work went steadily on, once a commencement was made, with the result that 
the entire hill, with the exception of about an acre yet remaining to be cleared, 
is covered with most luxuriant grass, intermixed with masses of beautiful wild 
flowers, when formerly nothing was to be seen but the unsightly prickly pear, 
through whose clumps neither man nor beast could force a passage. 
