1 Noy., 1901. ] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 461 
How ir was Done. 
After several small experiments more or less successful, the Department 
decided on cutting down and spraying the pear with a mixture of arsenic and 
washing-soda in the proportion of 5 ounces of the poison to one gallon of 
water. To enable the men to work in comfort, they were provided with leather 
leggings reaching to the thigh. They were thus protected from the formidable 
spines and irritating hairs of the plant. Special mattocks were also made for 
the purpose. . These have a narrow blade about 2 inches wide and 6 inches 
long, one end being for cutting, the other for chipping. Being very light, they 
were easier handled than the usual heavy double-headed mattock. 
Water for mixing the spraying solution was brought up from the farm 
well. It will give an idea of the steepness of the road, when it is stated that 
three horses were required to cart up a two-hundred gallon tank of water to 
the site of the operations. The spray being prepared, is delivered from 
knapsack spray-pumps. The cutters attack the pear, chopping it down to the 
ground. ‘The thickest leaves and the stem are then slashed with the mattock 
the stump is torn to shreds, but not extracted. Then the leaves are sprayed as 
they lie, care being taken that the whole surface is thoroughly wetted. The 
stump is also well sprayed. This is the whole operation. As may well be 
imagined, the cutting down of the plant amongst masses of rock such as occur 
on the rise of the hill is not so expeditious as on the less stony flats, half-an- 
acre being a good day’s work in such localities. ‘ 
Tue Resutr 
is surprising. In from three to four days after spraying, the green, succulent, 
fleshy leaves, wilt and turn brown, finally drying up, and cracking under foot 
like dry pea or bean pods. Almost everywhere the spray has been applied, 
not a vestige of green pear remains. And not only are the leaves destroyed 
beyond recovery, but the spray has so permeated the stump to the very ends 
of the long roots that it and the roots are utterly rotted and turned into a rich 
humus. Here and there, more especially where the first commencement was 
made, a few leaves have taken root and thrown out shoots which, if left to 
grow, would soon multiply and spread, but on the hill, where the pear was 
thickest, and which part was worked at by men who were experienced at the 
work, the result is as stated—not a vestige remains, although some months 
have elapsed since the plants were killed. The whole area is now a yaluable 
grazing property, the soil being of excellent quality, and producing abundance 
of succulent grass, wild carrot, and other herbs. 
It must be borne in mind that the work was experimental, the site rough 
and generally steep, and the pear in solid masses. The carting of water was 
also a source of expense which would be obviated on more level land, to the 
extent that one horse only would be required, and that the solution could be 
made in quantities of 400 gallons at a time, and two spraying hoses could be 
attached to the tank, thus saving the labour and loss of time entailed by the 
knapsack pump. 
Tt has been stated that the prickly pear will not grow on poor soil, and that 
its leaves, although they will throw out shoots if suspended in the air, will not 
row if thrown on the ground. These are absurd statements which can be 
contradicted by ocular demonstration. The prickly pear will grow and thrive 
luxuriantly on the most barren soils. A. leaf thrown on the ground will as 
surely strike root and prdduce new plants as will that of the air-plant 
(Bryophyllum calycinum). And even when a leaf has thrown out shoots and 
sent roots down into the ground, if it be turned over, the roots facing the hot 
sun, it will again send down roots from the lower surface and shoots from the 
upper. As one of the farmers said, “The pear seems to prefer a smooth rock 
or a sheet of galvanised iron.” Certainly it will grow and thrive under the 
most adverse circumstances. , 
Singularly enough the spraying has no bad effect upon the grass, which 
seems on the contrary to derive additional vigour from the application. The 
LE 
