1 Dec., 1902.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 429 
failure. Folger’s Early proved to be the best, being taller and having the larger head 
and heavier grain. Coleman’s proved very irregular, varying from amber to black in 
colour and being equally as variable in length of stalk, leaf, and size of head. ‘lhe 
American Early Orange Sorghum would seem to be quite different to the sorghum of 
that name already under cultivation here. This and the Collier Sorghum proved but 
indifferent varieties, and none of these new sorghums equalled in any point the Giant 
Honduras, which seems to improve with every generation. Next to this the Planter’s 
Friend has proved excellent, and two varieties of Saccharatum come next again in 
order of utility. 
It is possible that these new American sorghums may improve as they become 
acclimatised, and on a second planting on 20th March, these imported varieties are 
already doing better. 
Mitters.—The four varieties of millet-—Panicum millaceum, Pennisetum 
sree, Setaria italica, and S. germanica—were, unfortunately, all found to have lost 
their vitality. The seed was sown in the open on three separate occasions without 
result, and unsuccessful efforts were made to germinate the last few ounces under 
glass in the germinating house. 
Cowpras anp Brans.—No new varieties of cowpeas have been obtained, 
and some of the least useful have been allowed to go out of cultivation. White's 
perennial still proves the most useful in every way under- the conditions obtaining 
here, and the Speckled Cowpea is the next. All the beans have done well. As a 
nitrogenous green manure the Florida Velvet and Green Mauritius still hold first 
place. Experiments are being conducted with the Pigeon-pea (Cajanus indica) as a 
green manure, this growing readily and having the advantage over the matted growths 
of the beans of very much easier manipulation in the subsequent ploughing in. No 
comparative value can yet be ascertained, however. 
Ricr.—The supply of seed from Japan proved as great a disappointment as 
the millets. The seed was distributed in the district, and only one or two heads alto- 
gether were known to have been obtained. That sown in the open at the Nursery 
Beer failure likewise, and a few seeds germinated in water under glass gave 
no seed. 
The following were obtained during the year, some of which were not previously 
in stock :—Aege/e marmelos (bael fruit), Quercus suber (cork oak), Grevillia robusta 
(silver oak), Palms (about forty-five varieties), white Madagascar bean, Hucalyptus 
calophyua; EB. ficifolia, Myristica fragrans (nutmeg), Hugentu caryophyllata (clove) 
Araucaria Bidwilli (bunya bunya), Solanum betacea (tree tomato), Dactylis glomeratu 
(Cocksfoot grass), Astrebella pectinata (Mitchell grass), Manihot utlissima (bitter 
cassava), English Horse beans, Kopak, Artocarpus incisa (eight varieties from Samoa), 
Drymophloeus Normanbii (black Palm), Castilloa elusticu, American maize (5 varieties), 
sorghum (4 varieties), millets (4 varieties), Japan seed rice, Spanish Giant Sweet 
Potato, chicory, canaigre, macrozamias, &c. P : 
Of these, the horse bean, kopak, one variety of breadfruit, the millets, Japan 
seed rice, and canaigre have proved failures. 3 
The Ep eod machinery have been working well, and no large repairs were 
necessary. ‘The coating of the boiler with asbestos and the substitution of coal and 
coke for wood fuel have resulted in not only cheaper, but in very much more 
satisfactory, working. That the purchase of new tools, including plough and scarifier, 
was fully warranted is amply shown by the improved work.in the nursery. 
The painting of the buildings mentioned last year 1s still to be done. Some of 
the woodwork has never been painted, and the cottage and office buildings, which 
were partially and but lightly done three years ago, also require repainting now. The 
fence round the nursery was repaired, and about 150 new beantree posts split and 
erected by an extra esl employed temporarily and dispensed with on completion of 
the work. The extra hand allowed for the new ca also been dispensed with, 
leaving extra work upon the other hands. Owing to the comparatively dry season, 
however, it has been possible to keep both areas clean and in order. 
For a short time early in the year, and during my absence on coffee tours, an 
assistant in the office was temporarily employed, whose services were, however, 
dispensed with on my return. ; me ; 
Small charges have been made in some instances, suflicient only to cover postages, 
packing, railage, or cartage. ‘The total amount eared during the past eleven months 
amounts to £6 8s. 2d., of which £4 0s. 9d. was collected and remitted to the head 
office. Balance charged but not recovered, £2 7s. 5d. ! 
The nursery sent trophies to the following agricultural shows during the year, 
which were much appreciated :—Mackay, July, 1901; Port Iouglas, August, 1901; 
