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Leaves.
— The Editor of the Pastoralists' Review, Sydney, wrote me in November, 1904, concerning this tree, stating that pastoralists had found it of immense value for feeding stock in droughty times, and that Messrs. Christian, of Brindingabba, in the Wanaaring district. had brought the tree under his notice.
Shortly afterwards the following letter appeared in the Stock and Station Journal, of Sydney, under date 9th December, 1904:—
Department of Mines and Agriculture,
Sydney, December 3, 1904.
Sir, — Referring to your letter of the 10th ult., forwarding extract from a letter from Mr. A. E. Christian, of Brindingabba, together with specimens of the plant "Yapunyah," or "Napunyah," for analysis, I am directed to inform you that Mr. F. B. Guthrie, Chemist, of this Department, reports:—
| per cent. | |
| Moisture | 7.01 |
| Ash | .77 |
| Fibre | 9.71 |
| Albuminoid | 7.62 |
| Carbohydrates | 66.19 |
| Ether Extract (fat or oil) | 8.70 |
| 100.00 | |
| Nutritive value | 93.3 |
| Albuminoid ratio | 1 to 11.2 |
Remarks The sample as received for analysis was very dry, and, in comparing the analysis with those of other fodders, allowance will have to be made for this fact.
The fibre is very low, and the above leaves should be a very nutritious food. A pamphlet giving analyses of other plants for comparison is enclosed. — Yours, etc.,
WALTER S. CAMPBELL,
Director of Agriculture. A.
Muggridge, Esq.,
Messrs. Pitt, Son, and Badgery, Ltd.,
Sydney.
Mr. W.H. Clarke, then Editor of the Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W., wrote on behalf of Mr. William Christie, sending some twigs from the Maranoa district, Western Queensland.
The leaves and blossoms are reported to be not only a good sheep food in themselves, but good also to use with more astringent scrub. Mr. Christie has fed thousands of sheep, and is now feeding a great many, on this "Napunyah" foliage.
In view of the possibility of sheep-owners in some districts having again to feed their sheep owl scrub, many pastoralists would be interested in a report as to the identity of "Napunyah."
Eucalyptus leaves must always be looked upon as famine food; at the same time, western sheep have of ten to put up with fare that their more favoured relations in the central and eastern divisions would turn up their noses at.
Reference to Eucalyptus Leaves for Fodder will be found in the Gazette for June, 1899, p. 496, and for August, 1903, p. 765.
There is no doubt that Napunyah leaves did good service at a time when they were badly wanted, and. careful record should be made of all Eucalyptus trees which yield fodder. We have problems to solve as to their identity yet, and if friends would send twigs (showing buds, flowers or fruit, or all three), together with precise locality and date of collection, the matter will be followed up.
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