[Five newspaper clippings attached to a backing page. Blue stamp on the backing page with the text 'COMMONWEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY' and a partially filled-in reference number '1917/8/[blank space]'.]

[Each clipping has a handwritten 'F' in the top right corner.]

[Handwritten caption above first newspaper clipping:] Mercury 2-4-17

[Heading:] PRICKLY PEAR.

[Subheading:] QUESTIONS ON UTILITY.

In a recent issue we published information supplied by Mr. L. Rodway, C.M.G., the Government botanist, in reply to questions by a resident in the Channel district, as to material available in Australia for the manufacture of paper. Our correspondent has asked for further information on certain points, and in reply, Mr. Rodway has kindly sent the following for publication: - "In regard to your correspondent's letter asking whether spirit suitable for internal combustion cannot be made from the fleshy shoots of prickly pear, and, then, whether the remaining fibrous framework cannot be used to assist in the production of paper pulp, Dr. Jean White has been employed for some years by the Queensland Government at a high salary for the sole purpose of handling the prickly pear pest. We may be quite sure that if such obvious uses as distillation and use of fibre for paper-making or textile purpose had been feasible Dr. White would have recommended them. The juice of prickly pear contains a very low percentage of fermentible [sic] material, consequently it would take enormous quantities to produce a little spirit, and the cost of handling or interest on capital would be out of proportion to the result. Spirit may be produced much more economically in many other ways. The fibre from sugar-cane has been rejected, I understand, because it is short and brittle. There is a quantity of silica with it which renders it unfit for pulping, and it appears to be impossible to get rid of this by any means reasonably available. Your correspondent wrote to me, and in my answer I pointed out that if he had any scheme by which pear and refuse cane can be brought into use he should certainly approach the Queensland Government. He will find them a very live body, who will well appreciate any knowledge he may place at their disposal.

[Handwritten caption above second newspaper clipping:] Leader 19-4-17

[Heading:] PRICKLY PEAR: A SUGGESTION.

Our recent note on the spread of prickly pear in Queensland, where 30,000,000 acres are now overrun with the pest, has called forth a suggestion from a correspondent which may or may not be original, but which appears to us to be worthy of consideration. Mr. A. G. Nightingale, nurseryman, Emerald, writes as follows: - "Do you know if steam rollers have been used to destroy the pear? I suppose there is much of the land almost level, where a heavy roller could be used, and the crushed mass would surely be useful if ploughed in well with large disc ploughs, especially for heavy soil."

An ordinary municipal road roller would not be suitable for rough work of the kind indicated, but the huge rollers that are used in the mallee for breaking down the scrub would at least come to no harm. But our correspondent's suggestion calls up visions of the resistless "tanks" that are doing such execution in Flanders. Some adaption of the "caterpillar" tractor could give us a machine that would roll down, chop up, and plough under the succulent stuff in one act. At the conclusion of the war the Queensland Government may even be able to secure a few of these war machines, and turn them, if not into ploughshares, then something not unlike it. And what an ideal job to give the returned soldiers! Let them attack the prickly vegetable with the same vigor as they did the spiky helmets, and having rid the land of the pest, occupy it themselves. An ingenious American has been making the attempt with poison gas, but the results do not appear to have come up to anticipations. It would be strange if resort were had to another war device for the same purpose. To clear the whole infested area – a territory as large as Scotland – within a reasonable period by this means would be impracticable, but not to clear it bit by bit for settlement.

[Handwritten caption above third newspaper clipping:] Sydney Morning Herald 2-5-17

[Heading:] PRICKLY PEAR.

The experiments initiated by the Queensland Government to test the feeding value of prickly pear as a fodder are nearing some definite results. An area in the dry west was set aside, and steers and bullocks have been introduced for the purpose of feeding wholly or in part on prickly pear. The experiments have been conducted on a most comprehensive basis, and recently some of the beasts were killed under veterinary supervision for the purpose of observing the effects of the use of pear as fodder. The results have not been announced, but it is said that they will form a good guide for the future and throw much light on this vexed question.

[Handwritten caption above fourth newspaper clipping:] Daily Telegraph 15-5-17

[Heading:] PRICKLY PEAR DESTRUCTION.

Experiments in prickly pear destruction are still being conducted by the Department of Agriculture at Wee Waa, Gunnedah, Aberdeen, Scone, Camden, and Campbelltown. Arsenious chloride gas is not being used, but so far spraying with a solution of chloride of arsenic has given the most satisfactory results. Applied with an atomiser, it is not only cheaper but ever so much more effective than spraying with arsenite of soda, which previously was regarded as the best pear-killer, and as such was most generally used. The chloride of arsenic spray does not absolutely eradicate the pest, but it kills off the bulk of it and makes the job of clearing up what is left a comparatively light one. It has been stated by expert investigators that the cost of clearing pear, using the arsenious chloride spray as the preliminary treatment would be prohibitive on the heavily-infested land, but the experiences of the department do not point to this being the case. However, there is no definite data on the question of costs, and special experiments are being laid down with a view to ascertaining not only the cost of the spray, but the cost of the subsequent burning and clearing the land entirely from pear.

[Handwritten caption above fifth newspaper clipping:] Brisbane Courier 28-5-17

[Heading:] Spread of Prickly Pear.

An instance of the rapid spread of the prickly pear, if allowed to go unchecked, is reported from Taroom. About eight years ago a tender for £90 was submitted to clear the police paddock there, but it was not accepted by the department, as the price was considered too high. At later periods tenders of £150 to £250 have also been rejected. Now it is estimated that it will take anything from £1000 to £1200 to clear the paddock, which comprises only 320 acres.