Destruction of prickly pear with war tanks, circular saws, rollers and poison spray

A letter proposing to adapt war tanks with circular saws, rollers and poison spray, to assist in eradicating prickly pears.

Letter to the Bureau of Science and Industry

Related records

Record

Recommendation to destroy prickly pear weeds using tanks driven by returned soldiers

This is a letter to Albert Gould recommending the use of tanks and returned soldiers to destroy prickly pear weeds.

Record

Letter to the Advisory Council of Science and Industry recommending flame throwers to destroy prickly pear weeds.

Recommendation to destroy prickly pear weeds using flame throwers

A letter to the Advisory Council of Science and Industry suggesting flame throwers to destroy prickly pear weeds. This was rejected as an ineffective solution.

Record

An improved machine for mincing prickly pear into fodder.

Improved machine for mincing prickly pear into fodder – patent application

This diagram is part of a patent application from 13 October 1928 for a improved machine to mince prickly pear into fodder.

Record

Suggestions for prickly pear eradication

A collection of newspaper cuttings regarding the eradication of prickly pear.

Record

Use of insects to destroy prickly pear

A request sent to the Premier of New South Wales about the eradication of the 'Prickly Pear' plant, which had become a weed since its introduction to Australia.

Record

Infestation of the introduced plant species prickly pear

This black-and-white photograph from 1956 shows an infestation of prickly pear.

Record

Memorial Hall in Queensland to commemorate the success of the cactoblastis moth against the prickly pear cactus

A photograph of the Cactoblastis Memorial Hall in Boonarga, Queensland. It commemorates the success of the cactoblastis moth against the prickly pear cactus.

Related themes

Theme

Plants

Australia is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world. Our landscapes and ecosystems have changed with the introduction of new plants and farming practices.

Theme

A woman uses a dial indicator to check that a fuse liner is exactly cylindrical.

Defence equipment and weapons

Since World War I, the Australian military has developed, tested and used defence equipment and weapons. During the Cold War, Australia allowed nuclear weapons testing and launched a satellite.

Theme

A mini car on tracks at Wilkes Base - Antarctic 1965.

Inventions and research

Many inventive Australians have shared their ideas, plans and prototypes with the government, from Dr Victor Chang’s heart valve to the Hills Hoist rotary clothesline.