UTILISATION OF GORSE.

Western Star, Issue 787, 27 October 1883, Page 3

UTILISATION OF GORSE.

AVe frequently hear complaints of the nuisance created by the luxuriant growth of whina and gurus nod there is no doubt that when allowed to spread unchecked, they become , a source of great trouble and annoyance both to the proprietors of property and the public generally. One reason, perhaps, for the slovenly state into which many gorse and whin hedges are allowed to fall may be that there has hitherto been no method of utilising the clippings. This, however, need not be a consideration any longer The other day wo paid a visit to the farm of Mr James Sutherland, of Circle Hill, who has recently purchased one of McKenzie’s Patent Gorse Masticators. We happily found the machine at work, and it was performing its duty in excellent style. In appearance it is like an ordinary chaff, cutter, and is supplied from a similar feeding box, It is driven by water, of which Mr Sutherland has a splendid supplv. Having seen whins bruised in the* Old Country with a pair of stones like millstones, we did not expect to see so great an improvement upon the old system, but were greatly impressed at finding that there was a material difference in the process,-and a vast improvement in the result. The gorse, after passing through, was bruised and cut in such a manner that it could b© squeezed in the hand without leaving any of the prickles behind. Mr Sutherland informed us that he had fed his horses, cattle and sheep upon the bruised whins the whole winter, and we must say’ that they appeared to be in excellent condition. He has trimmed all his fences and utilised ail the material in feeding his stock. Mr Sutherland speaks in the highest terms of the work done by the machine, and would not now dispense with its use upon any consideration. He is also highly satisfied with gorse as a feeding material, so much so that he contemplates setting a few acres for that purpose. He fully endorses all the enconiums and testimonials the machine has already received. In a district like this, where gorse and whin is so extensively used for fencing, the utility and value of such s machine cannot be too highly estimated. What hitherto has been a nuisance and a source of danger from fire, can now be turned into a valuable article of animal diet, while the farmer will be encouraged to keep bis hedges in a state of neatness and repair.— “ Bruce Herald.”