450 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Dec., 1902. 
Dairy.—Careful experiments in feeding prickly pear to milch cows and 
Pigs were carried out during the month; the results of these are forwarded 
erewith. The average number of cows milked daily was fifty. During the 
month 1,030 gallons of milk yielded 430 Ib. of butter, and 250 gallons were 
supplied to the dining-hall for daily use. In the early part of the month the 
stock were fed on steamed oaten chaff; and from the 16th to the 31st on a small 
uantity of green lucerne and a little Cape barley. As soon as the animals were 
ed on green food a rapid increase in the flow of milk was noticeable, and they 
appeared to put on flesh very quickly. The increase of the dairy stock for the 
month included one crossbred and one purebred Ayrshire. 
Piggery.— We are now in possession of a very large number of purebred 
pigs, for which a large demand is expected as soon as the drought breaks up. 
The animals, during the early part of the month, were fed on waste products 
from the garden, kitchen, and residents’ houses, their condition being well 
maintained with but little cost to the institution. In the latter part of the 
month green lucerne was fed with the best results. 
Orchard and Garden.—The orchard has had the attention of the Assistant 
Fruit Expert, Mr. Voller, who, with the assistance of students, carried out the 
pruning, spraying, &c. Notwithstanding the dry weather, the orchard is 
looking remarkably well. Mr. Rainford has given the vineyard the necessary 
attention, and instructed the students as the work proceeded. Both orchards 
and vineyards have been cultivated on several occasions during the month, 
The vegetable garden has been kept well to the front, and irrigation applied 
when required. A large amount of vegetables has always been iis for 
the dining-hall, besides some for disposal. 
Mechanical Department.—In this department the principal work has been 
the erection of a shed over the portable engine on the creek bank. The usual 
routine work—shoeing, repairs to implements, fences, &c.—has also been carried 
out. 
EXPERIMENTAL FEEDING ON PRICKLY PEARS. 
Mr. J. Mahon, Principal of the Queensland Agricultural College, furnishes 
the following particulars of an experiment made with prickly pear with a view 
to ascertain its value as a cow fodder :— 
Fight head of milch cows, at different periods of lactation, were chosen. 
They were fed on steamed oaten chaff for five days previous to the use of the 
prickly pear, and were allowed 40 Ib. of chaff each per day. The chaff ration was 
gradually decreased, and prickly pear fed in its place. It was found advisable to 
feed at first but a small quantity of the pear, as the cows showed a disinclination to 
consume it, and also because of the scouring effect it had on the animals when fed 
liberally. During the second period of five days.8 Ib. of pear and 14 Jb. of 
steamed oaten chaff were fed daily night and morning. By gradually increasing 
the pear ration, it was found that a large quantity could be consumed at one 
time by the animal without causing any scouring. The prickly pear, before 
being fed to the stock, was treated as follows:—It was singed on a quick 
fire for the purpose of destroying the large thorns, and was then boiled for 
twelve to fifteen hours. After cooling sufticiently to allow its being handled, 
it was run through a chaff-cutter. The above treatment was considered 
advisable, as it was found that, while the small prickles were rendered harmless 
by boiling, the large thorns which are found on the stalks remained hard and 
stiff enough to penetrate the tongue or jaw of an animal when chewing. After 
“boiling, if a well-matured leaf and a portion of the stalk be taken and the pulp 
removed, the fibre which remains will be found to be tough and seemingly 
difficult to digest, but when cut into small pieces it could more readily pass 
through the digestive organs of an animal. 
It will be apparent, from a perusal of the tables, that the milk yield fell 
off as the prickly pear replaced the oaten chaff. Table I. shows the highest 
return, and Tables IT., I1]., and IV. disclose a gradual diminution in the yield, 
