THE PRICKLY PEAR
That the prickly pear, long regarded as a scourge to Australian landowners, might be turned to profitable account in many ways, notably as a stock or even a human food, was the theme of a paper read by Lieutenant-Colonel L. W. Bickle at the Science Congress in Melbourne. In November, 1919, a sample was analysed, and it was found that the nutritive value was greater than that of wheaten hny or molasses, though a little less than that of bran. As a fertiliser its value was .about -£3 a ton based on the current values of nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash. Its high percentage of carbohydrates (62.05 per cent.) suggested its use a.s flour and as a source of starch. The report of tho Queensland Agricultural Department was not so encouraging. The sample had a fair feeding value, comparing with a medium bush hay, but it was doubtful if the manufacture of food was practical, and the fertilising value was low. Lieu-tenant-Colonel Bickle said that biscuits made from tho flour were very palatable. The analysis in regard to starch contents was also hopeful. Fibres separated in the process were said, by a leading chemist, to be capable of making excellent felt, and would probably be uso ful for paper-making if obtained in large quantities. There were also certain evidences that led to the l>elief that some new antiseptic would be obtainable from tho prickly pear. The possibilities of the plant in regard to its fruit and tho distillation of motor snirit had already been suggested by others.
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Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 97, 18 January 1921, Page 10
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260THE PRICKLY PEAR Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 97, 18 January 1921, Page 10
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