*<&• AGR1C, DEFT.

INTELLIGENCE AND TOURIST
:: :: BUREAU :: ::

mming, Govt. Printer, Brisbane.

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND

c)

Fruit of Mangosteen.

BY

ALBERT H. BENSON, M.R.A.C.,

it

Late Instructor in Fruit Culture, Queensland Government ;
now Director of Agrcullure, Hobart, Tasmania.

BRISBANE:

BY AUTHORITY: ANTHONY j. GUMMING, GOVERNMENT PRINTER.
1914.

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CONT ENTS.

PAGE.

Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Queensland Fruit-growing .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..17

Climate 18

1st. — Soils of Eastern Seaboard, and land adjacent to it, suitable to the growth

of Tropical and Semi-tropical Fruit . . . . . . . . 21

2nd. — Soils of the Coastal Tablelands, suitable for the growth of Deciduous

Fruit 23

3rd. — Soils of the Central Tablelands, suitable for the growth of Grapes, Dates,

Citrus Fruits, &c. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

The Banana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

The Pineapple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

The Mango 41

Mangosteen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

The Papaw 47

The Cocoa-nut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

The Granadilla . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

The Passion Fruit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Custard Apples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Citrus Fruit - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

The Persimmon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

The Loquat 73

The Date Palm 75

The Pecan Nut 75

Japanese Plums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Chickasaw Plums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Chinese Peaches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Figs 79

The Mulberry 79

The Strawberry 79

Cape Gooseberry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

The Olive 83

The Apple 85

The Peach 87

The Plum . . 89

The Apricot 89

The Cherry 90

The Pear 91

The Almond " . . ,. 91

Grape Culture ; 93

JList of Fruits and Vegetables Grown in Queensland . . . . . . . . 102

341276

144 i4t 14C 147 148 149 ISO 151

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

PREFACE.

In the more thickly populated portions of the Old and New World, and,
to a certain extent, in the large cities of Australia, the question of how to
make a living has become one of vital importance to a large portion of the
population, and is the cause of considerable anxiety to fathers of families who
are endeavouring to find employment for their sons.

This difficulty of obtaining employment is a very serious question, and
one demanding the most earnest consideration. It is probably the result of
many different causes, but, in the writer's opinion, it is due mainly to the
fact that for years past the trend of population has been from the country
districts to the towns, with the result that many of the great centres of
population are now very badly congested, and profitable employment of any
kind is often extremely difficult to obtain. The congested towns offer no
possible outlet for surplus labour, hence it is necessary that such labour must
find an outlet in the less thickly populated parts of the world where there is
still plenty of room for development and population is badly needed. Queens-
land is a country possessing these qualifications; but is, unfortunately, a
country that is little known to the general mass of home-seekers, and, further,
what little is known of it is usually so inaccurate that a very erroneous opinion
of the capabilities of this really fine country exists. The great flow of
emigration is naturally to those countries that are nearest to the Old World —
viz., the United Slt'ates of America and Canada — and little attention is given
to Australia, although we have many advantages not possessed by either the
United States or Canada, and are not subject to the disadvantage of an
intensely cold winter such as that experienced throughout the greater portion
of those countries for several months yearly.

To those looking for homes the following pages are addressed, so that
before deciding to what part of the world they will go they may know what
sort of a country Queensland really is, what one of its industries is like, the
kind of life they may look forward to spending here, and the possibility of
their making a comfortable home amongst us. The life of a fruit-grower is
by no means a hard one in Queensland, the climate of the fruit-growing

i>y QUEENSLAND.

districts is a healthy and by no means a trying one, and is thoroughly adapted
to the successful cultivation of many fruits ; and, finally, a living can be made
under conditions that are much more conducive to the well-being of our race
than those existing in the overcrowded centres of population. The writer has
no wish to infer that there are big profits to be made by growing fruit, but, at
the same time, he has no hesitation in saying that where the industry is
conducted in an up-to-date manner, on business lines, a good living can be
made, and that there is a good opening for many who are now badly in want
of employment. The illustrations represent various phases of the industry, and
have been specially prepared by H. W. Mobsby, the Artist of the Intelligence
and Tourist Bureau. Most of the Illustrations have been taken at an excep-
tionally dry time, and at the close of one of the coldest winters on record,
so that they do not show the crops or trees at their best; at the same time,
they give a fair idea of some of our fruits, orchards, and fruit lands.

ALBERT H. BENSON.

Brisbane, Queensland, January, 1906.

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

I NTRODUCTION

Queensland's greatest want to-day is population : Men and women to
develop our great natural resources, to go out into our country districts as
farmers, dairymen, or fruit-growers — not to stick in our towns, but to become
primary producers, workers, home-builders — not the scourings of big cities,
the dissatisfied, the loafer, but the honest worker whose wish is to make a
home for himself and his family. There are many such in the overcrowded
cities of older countries, striving in vain to make a living — existing, it can
hardly be called living, under conditions that are by no means conducive to
their well-being — often poorly fed and poorly clad — who would better them-
selves by coming to Queensland, and by whom Queensland would be benefited.
Queensland has room for -many such annually : men and women who come here
for the express intention of settling amongst us and building homes for them-
selves; who come here prepared to work, and, if needs be, to work hard; who
do not expect to become rich suddenly, but will be contented with a com-
fortable home, a healthy life, and a moderate return for their labour — results
that are within the reach of all, and which compare -more than favourably
with the conditions under which they are at present existing.

Queensland's most valuable asset is her soil, and this requires population
to develop it : soil that, in the different districts and climates best adapted for
their growth, is capable of producing most of the cultivated crops of the world,
and, with very few exceptions, all the fruits of commercial value, many of
them to a very high degree of perfection. This pamphlet is practically confined
to the fruit-growing possibilities of Queensland, and an endeavour is made to
show that there is a good opening for intending settlers in this branch of
agriculture, but the general remarks respecting the climate, rainfall, soils, &c:,
will be of equal interest to any who wish to take up any other branch, such
as general farming, dairying, &c. The Queensland Department of Agriculture
has received a number of inquiries from time to time, and from various parts
of the world, respecting the possibilities of profitable commercial fruit-growing
in this State, and this pamphlet is intended in part to be an answer to such
inquiries; but, at the same time, it is hoped that it will have a wider scope,
and give a general idea of one of our staple industries to many who are now
on the look-out for a country in which to settle and an occupation to take up
when they arrive there.

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

Fit U ITS OF QUEENSLAND. 9

No branch of agriculture has made a greater advance during the past
quarter-century than that of fruit-growing, and none has become more popular.
The demand for fruit of all kinds, whether fresh or preserved, has increased
enormously throughout the world, and it is now generally looked upon more
as a necessity than a luxury. Hence there are continually recurring inquiries
as to the best place to start fruit-growing with a reasonable prospect of success.
It is not only the increased demand for fruit that causes these inquiries, but
fruit-growing has a strong attraction for many would-be agriculturists as
compared with general farming, dairying, or stock-raising, and this attraction
is probably due to a certain fascination it possesses that only those who have
been intimately acquainted with the industry for years can fully appreciate.
In addition to the fact that living under one's own vine and fig-tree is in itself
a very pleasant ideal to look forward to, there is no branch of agronomy that
calls for a keener appreciation of the laws of Nature, that brings man into
closer touch with Nature, that makes a greater demand on a man's patience,
skill, and energy, or in which science and practice are more closely related,
than in that of fruit-growing. To all those who are considering the advantages
of taking up fruit-growing as an occupation, and to those who feel the attrac-
tion I have just described, these few words on fruit-growing in Queensland
are addressed, as the writer wishes them to learn something of the fruit-grow-
ing capabilities of this State, so that before deciding on the country in which
they will make a start they may not be in complete ignorance of a land that is
especially adapted for the growth of a larger number of distinct varieties of
fruit than any other similar area of land with which he is acquainted either
in the Old or New World.

Queensland is a country whose capabilities are at present comparatively
unknown even to those living in the Southern States of Australia, and,
naturally, very much less so to the rest of the world, hence a little general
information respecting our country and one of its industries may be of some
help to those who are looking for an opening in this particular branch of
agriculture.

Queensland is a country having a population of a little over half a million,
and an area of 429,120,000 acres; the population of a city of the second
magnitude, and an area of some seven and one-half times greater than that of
Great Britain, or two and one-half times greater than the State of Texas,
United States of America.

A country embracing 18 degrees of latitude, from the llth to the 29th
degrees of south latitude, and extending from a humid eastern seaboard to an
extremely dry interior, some 15 degrees of longitude west. A country, there-
fore, of many climates and varied rainfall. A country possessing a great

10

FRUITS OF QUEVXSLAXD.

|

diversity of soils, many of which are of surprising richness. A country more
or less heavily timbered with either scrub or forest growth, or consisting of
wide open plains that are practically treeless. A country of infinite resources,
that is capable of producing within its own borders all that man requires,
from the extreme tropical to temperate products. A country that, once its
possibilities are realised and turned to a profitable account, is destined to
become one of the most fruitful in the globe, to support a large and thriving

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

11

Coochin York Mangosteen, Port Douglas District.

population of our own people; and last, but not least, a country that, from a
fruit-grower's point of view, cannot be excelled elsewhere. We have a healthy
climate, not by any means an extreme climate as is often represented — extreme
cold is unknown, frost being unusual on any portion of the seaboard, but
common during the winter months on our tablelands. But even where there
are frosts the days are pleasantly warm. Summer is undoubtedly warm, but it
is usually a bearable heat, and sudden changes are extremely rare, so that

12 FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

though trying in the humid tropical seaboard, it is not unbearable, and
compares favourably with the tropical heat met with elsewhere. This is clearly
shown by the stamina of the white race, particularly those living in the country
districts, where both men and women compare favourably with those of any
other part of the Empire. Except in very isolated places, communication
with the outside world and between the different centres of population is
regular and frequent ; in fact, in all the coastal and coastal tableland districts
of the State one is kept daily in touch with all the important matters that
are taking place in the world. In the home life there is a freedom not met
with in older countries; there is an almost entire absence of artificiality —
people are natural, and are interested in each other's welfare. They are
certainly fond of pleasure, but at the same time are extremely generous and
hospitable. The writer can speak of this from a large practical experience, as
for some years past he has annually travelled many thousands of -miles amongst
fruit-growers and others who are settled on the land, and, without exception,
he has everywhere been met with the greatest kindness from rich and poor
alike — in short, a hearty welcome — and the best that the house affords is the
rule, without exception. In brief, should any of my readers decide on coming
to Queensland, the only difference that they will find as compared with the
older countries is, that our climate is somewhat warmer in summer, but to
compensate for this we have no severe cold in winter. There is more freedom
and less conventionality, life to all who will work is -much easier, and there is
not the same necessity for expensive clothing or houses as exists in more
rigorous climates. The people they will meet are of their own colour and race,
no doubt fond of sport and pleasure, perhaps inclined to be a little self-
opinionated, but solid grit at the bottom. As previously stated, Queensland
offers exceptional advantages to the intending fruit-grower, and the following
may be quoted as examples. The ease with which fruit can be produced, when
grown under conditions suitable to its proper development, is often remarkable,
and is a constant source of wonder to all who have been accustomed to the com-
paratively slow growth of many of our commoner varieties of fruits when grown
in less favoured climes, and to the care that is there necessary to produce
profitable returns. Here all kinds of tree life is rapid, and fruit trees come into
bearing much sooner than they do in colder climates. In addition to their
arriving at early maturity, they are also, as a rule, heavy bearers, their fault,
if anything, being towards over-bearing. Fruits of many kinds are so
thoroughly acclimatised that it is by no means uncommon to find them growing
wild, and holding their own in the midst of rank indigenous vegetation, without
receiving the slightest care or attention. In some cases where cultivated fruits
have been allowed to become wild, they have become somewhat of a pest, and
have kept down all other growths, so much so that it has been actually
necessary to take steps to prevent them from becoming a nuisance, so readily

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

13

•do they grow, and so rapidly do they increase. The very ease with which fruit
cas be grown when planted under conditions of soil and climate favourable to
its development has had a tendency to make growers somewhat careless as com-
pared with those of other countries who have to grow fruit under conditions
demanding the most careful attention in order to be made profitable. This
is enough to show that Queensland is adapted for fruit-growing, and the illus-
trations accompanying the description of our chief commercial fruits will show
them more forcibly than any words of mine that my contention is a correct
one. Latterly, however, there has been a considerable improvement in the
working of our orchards, growers finding that it does not pay to grow second-
quality fruit, and, therefore, they are giving -much more attention to the
selection of varieties, cultivation of the land, pruning the trees, and the keep-
ing in check of fruit pests ; as, like other parts of the world, we have our pests
to deal with. This improvement in the care and management of our orchards

Bunch of Fruit of the Coochin York Mangosteen.

is resulting in a corresponding improvement in the quantity and quality of
our output, so that now our commercial fruits — that is to say, the fruits grown
in commercial quantities — compare favourably with the best types of similar
fruits produced elsewhere. The writer has no wish to convey the impression
that all that is required in order to grow fruit in Queensland is to secure
suitable land, plant the trees, let Nature do the rest, and when they come into

14

FR UITS OF Q UEENSLA ND.

bearing simply gather and market the fruit. This has been done in the past,
and -may be done again under favourable conditions, but it is not the usual
method adopted, nor is it to be recommended. Here, as elsewhere, the pro-
gressive fruit-growing of to-day has become practically a science, as the fruit-
grower who wishes to keep abreast of the times depends largely on the
practical application of scientific knowledge for the successful carrying on of his

Tamarind Fruits — Kamerunga State Nursery, Cairns.

business. There is no branch of agronomy in which science and practice are
more closely connected than in that of fruit-growing. Every operation of the
fruit-grower is, or should be, carried out on scientific lines and by the best
methods of propagation — pruning, cultivation, manuring, treatment of dis-
eases, and preservation of fruit when grown are all, directly or indirectly, the
result of scientific research. To be a successful fruit-grower in Queensland one
must therefore use one's brains as well as one's hands; the right tree must
be grown in the right kind of soil and under the right conditions ; it must be
properly attended to, and the fruit, when grown, must be marketed in the best
possible condition, whether same be as fresh fruit or dried, canned, or other-
wise preserved, and whether same be destined for our local, Australian, or over-
sea markets. Fruit-growing on these lines is a success in Queensland to-day,

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND. 15

and it is capable of considerable extension, so that, in the writer's opinion, it
offers a good field for the intending settler. Carried out in the manner
indicated, he has no hesitation in saying that Queensland is a good place in
which to start fruit-growing, that the advantages it possesses cannot be sur-
passed or even equalled elsewhere, and, further, that as our seasons are the
opposite of those in countries situated on the north of the equator, our fruits
ripen in the off-seasons of similar fruit grown in those countries, and, with
our facilities for cold storage and rapid transit, can be placed on their markets
at a time that they are bare of such fruits, thus securing top prices.

Queensland has practically an unlimited area of land suitable for fruit
culture, much of which is at present in its virgin state, and is obtainable on
easy terms and at a low rate. Government land is worth on an average
£1 per acre, and privately-owned land suitable for fruit-growing can be pur-
chased at from 10s. to £5 per acre, according to its quality and its distance
from railway or water carriage. We have plenty of land, what we lack is
population to work it ; and there is no fear of over-crowding for many years
to come. We have not only large areas of good fruit land at reasonable rates,
but the Government of Queensland, through its Department of Agriculture, is
always ready to give full information to intending settlers, to assist them in
their selection of suitable land, to advise them as to the kinds of fruit to plant,
to give practical advice in the cultivation, pruning, manuring, and general
management of the orchard as well as in the disposal or utilisation of the fruit
when grown; in short, to help the beginner to start on the right lines, so that
he will be successful.

There is also little if any fear of over-extending the fruit-growing
industry, as, if it is conducted on the right lines and on sound business prin-
ciples, we can raise fruit of the highest quality at a price that will enable us
to compete in the markets of the world especially now that we have direct
and rapid communication at frequent intervals with Canada, the United States
of America, the East (Japan, Manilla, &c.), Europe, and the United Kingdom.

16

FEU ITS OF QUEENSLAND.

03

I
o

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

QUEENSLAND FRUIT GROWING.

Very few persons have any idea of the magnitude or the resources of this
State of Queensland, and in no branch of agricultural industry are they more
clearly shown than in that of fruit-growing. Here, unlike the colder parts of
the world or the extreme tropics, we are not confined to the growing of parti-
cular varieties of fruits, but, owing to our great extent of country, and its
geographical distribution, we are able to produce practically all the cultivated
fruits of the world, many of them to great perfection. There are, however,
one or two tropical fruits that are exceptions, such as the durien and
mangosteen, whose range is extremely small, and one or two of the berry
fruits of cold countries, which require a colder winter than that experienced
in any part of this State. It will, however, be seen at once that a country that
can produce such fruits as the mango, pineapple, banana, papaw, granadilla,
guava, custard apple, litchi, sour sop, cocoa nut, bread fruit, jack fruit,
monstera, alligator pear, and others of a purely tropical character; the date,
citrus fruits of all kinds, passion fruit, persimmon, olive, pecan nut, cape
gooseberry, loquat, and other fruits of a semi-tropical character, as well as the
fruits of the more temperate regions, such as the apple, pear, plum, peach,
apricot, quince, almond, cherry, fig, walnut, strawberry, mulberry, and others
of minor importance, in addition to grapes of all kinds, both for wine and table,
and of both European and American origin, offers a very wide choice of fruits
indeed to the prospective grower. Of course, it must not be thought for a
moment that all the fruits mentioned can be grown to perfection at any one
place in the State, as that would be an impossibility, but they can be grown
in some part of the State profitably and to great perfection.

The law of successful fruit culture is the same here as in all other fruit-
producing countries — viz., to grow in your district only those fruits which are
particularly adapted to your soil and climate, and to let others grow those
fruits which you cannot grow, but which their conditions allow them to produce
to perfection. The intending grower must, therefore, first decide on what
fruits he wishes to grow, and when he has done so, select the district best
suited to their growth. The small map of the State shows the districts in
which certain fruits may be grown profitably, or, rather, the districts in which
they are at present being so grown; but there are many other districts in
which fruit-growing has not been attempted in commercial quantities or for
other than purely home consumption that, once the Stare begins to fill up with
population, are equal, if not superior, to the older fruit-growing districts, and
are capable of maintaining a large population.

18 FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

CLIMATE.

As previously stated, the successful culture of fruit depends mainly on the
right kinds of fruit being grown in the right soil and climate. This naturally
brings us to the question of climate, and here one again gets an idea of the
extent of our country, as we have not one but many climates. Climate is a
matter of such vital importance to fruit-growers, and there is such a general
lack of knowledge respecting the climate of Queensland, that a little informa-
tion on this point is desirable. I am afraid that there is* a very general
impression that Queensland has a climate that is only suitable for a coloured
race ; that it is either in the condition of a burnt-up desert or is being flooded
out. That it is a country of droughts and floods, a country of extremes — in
fact, a very desirable place to live out of. No more erroneous idea was ever
given credence to, and, as an Englishman born, who has had many years' prac-
tical experience on the land in England, Scotland, the United States of America,
and the various Australian States, I have no hesitation in saying that, as far
as my experience goes — and it is an experience gained by visiting nearly every
part of the State that is suited for agricultural pursuits — taken as a
whole, it is difficult to find a better or healthier climate in any other country
of equal area. Our climate has its disadvantages, no doubt, particularly our
dry spells, but show me the country that has a perfect climate. We have
disadvantages, but, at the same time, we have great advantages; advantages
that, in my opinion, outweigh our disadvantages.

Our eastern seaboard, extending from the New South Wales border in the
south, a few miles to the south of the 28th degree of south latitude, to Cape
York, some 20 miles north of the llth degree of south latitude, contains our
best districts for the growth of tropical and semi-tropical fruits. The coastal
climate, however, varies considerably, and is governed by the proximity or
otherwise of the coast ranges. When they approach the coast there is always
more rainfall, and as they recede the rainfall decreases. With one or two
exceptions, where the coastal range is a considerable distance inland, the
eastern coastal districts have a sufficient rainfall for the successful culture of
most fruits, though they are subject to a dry spell during winter and spring.
During this period of the year, the weather is extremely enjoyable ; in fact, it
is hard to better it, even in our extreme North. But as summer approaches,
thunderstorms become prevalent, and are accompanied by more or less humid
conditions, which, though good for fruit-development, are not quite so enjoyable
as the drier months. Summer is our rainy season, and the rainfalls are
occasionally very heavy. The weather is warm and oppressive, particularly
in the more tropical districts; but these very conditions are those that are
best suited to the production of tropical fruits. The climate of those districts
having the heaviest summer rainfall is somewhat trying to Europeans, par-
ticularly women, but it is by no means unhealthy, and in the hottest parts,
having the coast range nearly on the coast, there is, within a few miles, a
tableland of from 2,000 to 4,000 feet elevation, where the climate is cool and
bracing, and where the jaded man or woman can soon throw off the feeling of
lassitude brought about by the heat and humidity of the seaboard. In autumn

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

19

Burning-off lor fruit growing, Mapleton, Blackall Range.

Same land one year later. Fruit-grower's family gathering strawberries

the weather soon cools off, drier conditions supervene, and living again becomes
a pleasure in one of the best and healthiest climates to be met with anywhere.
Practically all the district under review has a sufficient rainfall for the growth
of all fruits suitable to the climate, though there are occasionally dry spells
during spring, when a judicious watering would be a great advantage. This

20 FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

does not imply a regular system of irrigation, but simply the conserving of
surplus moisture in times of plenty by -means of dams across small natural
watercourses or gullies, by tanks where such do not occur, or from wells where
an available supply of underground water may be obtained. The water so
•conserved will only be needed occasionally, but it is an insurance against any
possible loss or damage that might accrue to the trees during a dry spell of
extra length. So far, little has been done in coastal districts in conserving
water for fruit-growing, the natural rainfall being considered by many to be
ample; but, in the writer's opinion, it will be found to be a good investment,
as it will be the means of securing regular crops instead of an occasional
partial failure, due to lack of sufficient moisture during a critical period of the
tree's growth. The average yearly rainfall in the eastern seaboard varies from
149 inches at Geraldton to 41 inches at Bowen, the mean average being about
90 inches to the north and 49 inches to the south of Townsville. Were this fall
evenly distributed throughout the year, it would be ample for all requirements.
Unfortunately, however, it is not evenly distributed, the heavy falls taking
place during the summer months, so that there is often a dry spell of greater
or less extent during the winter and spring, during which a judicious watering
has a very beneficial effect on fruit trees, and secures a good crop for the
coming season. The rainfall shows that there is no fear of a shortage of water
at any time, the only question is to conserve the surplus for use during a
prolonged dry spell. These conditions are extremely favourable for the growth
of all tropical and semi-tropical fruits, as during our period of greater heat,
when these fruits make their greatest call for moisture, there is an abundance
of rain, and during the other portions of the year, when the call is not so
heavy, it is usually an inexpensive matter to conserve or obtain a sufficient
supply to keep the trees in the best of order. Throughout the southern half of
this seaboard frosts are not unknown on low-lying ground, but are extremely
rare on the actual coast, or at an elevation of 300 to 400 feet above the
sea, so much so that no precautions are necessary to prevent damage from
frost. We have, unlike Florida and other parts of the United States of
America — great fruit-growing districts — no killing frosts, and now, at the close
of one of the coldest winters on record, and one of the driest, nowhere have
our pineapples — fruit nor plants — been injured, except on low-lying ground,
even in the Southern part of the State, and mangoes, bananas, &c., are
uninjured.

In the more tropical North frosts are unknown on the coast, and there is
no danger to even the most delicate plants from cold.

Running parallel with the coast we have a series of ranges of low moun-
tains, running from 2,000 feet to nearly 6,000 feet, the general height being
from 2,000 to 3,000 feet, and at the back of these ranges more or less level
tablelands, sloping generally to the west. On and adjacent to these ranges in
the Southern part of the State, there are fairly sharp frosts in winter, but the
days are warm and bright. This is the district best adapted for the growth
of deciduous fruits and vines, table varieties doing particularly well. It is a
district well adapted for -mixed farming and dairying, as well as fruit-growing ;

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND. 21

the climate is even and healthy, and is neither severe in summer nor winter.
The average rainfall is some 30 inches, and is usually sufficient, though there
are dry periods, when a judicious watering, as recommended for the coast
districts, would be of great value to fruit and vegetable growers. The more
northern end of this tableland country has a much better rainfall — some
40 inches per annum — and frosts, though they occur at times, are not common.
Here the climate is very healthy, there are no extremes of heat and cold, and,
lying as it does inland from the -most trying portion of our tropical seaboard,
it forms a natural sanatorium to this part of our State.

Further west the rainfall decreases, the summers are hot — a dry heat, as
•distinct from the more humid heat of the coast, and much more bearable.
There are frequent frosts in winter, particularly in the Southern part of the
State. Fruit-growing is only carried on to a slight extent at present, and then
only with the help of water, but when the latter is obtainable, very good results
are obtained. Grapes do well, both wine and table, and for raisin-making.
Citrus fruits are remarkably fine, the lemons especially, being the best grown
in the State. The trees are less liable to the attack of many pests, the dryness
of the air retarding their development, if not altogether preventing their
occurrence. The date palm is quite at home here, and when planted in deep
sandy land, and supplied with sufficient water, it is a rapid grower and heavy
bearer. As an offset to the smallness of the rainfall, there is a good supply of
.artesian water, distributed over a wide range of country, that can be ob' ained
at a reasonable rate, and that is suitable for irrigation purposes. A 1 bore
water is not suitable for irrigation, however, as some of it is too highly
•mineralised, but there are large areas of countiy possessing an artesian supply
of excellent quality for this purpose. It will thus be seen that we h.-;ve in
Queensland, roughly, three distinct belts of fruit-growing country —

1st. — The Eastern Seaboard, and the land adjacent to it, suit; ble for

the growing of tropical and semi-tropical fruit ;
2nd. — The Coastal Tablelands, suitable for the growth of deciduous

fruits, vines, olives, and citrus fruits in parts;
3rd. — The Central Tablelands, suitable for the growth of gn;prs, for

table and drying, dates, citrus fruits, &c., but requiring water for

irrigation to produce profitably.

So far, I have confined my remarks mainly to the climatic side 01 fruit-
growing, and, before dealing with the growing of the different kinds of fruit, I
will say a few words about our fruit soils, and will deal with them in districts,
.as I have endeavoured to do in the case of climate.

1st. — Soils of Eastern Seaboard, and Land adjacent to it, suitable to the
Growth of Tropical and Semi-Tropical Fruit.

Several distinct types of soil are found that are well adapted for fruit-
growing, but they all have one general characteristic which is a sine <jua non
of success — viz., they must possess good natural drainage, so that there is no
danger of their becoming waterlogged or soured during periods of continued
or heavy rainfall, as these conditions are fatal to fruit culture under tropical

22 FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

and semi-tropical conditions. Of such soils, the first to be considered are those-
of basaltic origin. They are usually of a chocolate or rich red colour, are of
great depth, in parts more or less covered with basaltic boulders, in others
entirely free from stones. The surface soil is friable and easily worked, andt
the subsoil, which is usually of a rich red colour, is easily penetrated by the
roots of trees and plants grown thereon. Occasionally the subsoil is more-
compact, in which case it is not so good for fruit-tree growth, but is better
adapted for that of sugar-cane, corn, grass, &c. These basaltic soils are usually-
rich, and are covered in their virgin condition with what is termed scrub —
a dense mass of vegetation closely resembling an Indian jungle. The scrub
growth is totally distinct from forest growth, which will be described later,
in that the bulk of the timber growing in it, much of which is of large size,
is of a soft nature, and once cut down soon rots away. Imagine a dense wall
of vegetation, consisting of large trees running up to 100 or 150 feet in height,
with trunks ranging from 2 to 8 feet, or even more, in diameter, and between?
these trunks an impenetrable mass of smaller growths, all of the most vivid
green colours, together with innumerable vines and creepers that are suspended!
from the branches of the trees, hanging in festoons, creeping palms and
bamboos, ferns and orchids of many kinds, both on the ground and growing
on the tree trunks, as well as many beautiful foliage plants only found in
hothouses in Eiigland, and you will have a faint idea of what a virgin scrub
in coastal Queensland is like. Much of the timber of the coastal scrubs is of
considerable commercial value for building purposes and furniture making,
and is, or should be, so utilised prior to felling and burning off.

True scrub lands are not by any means the most difficult to clear, though
to a " new chum " the work will appear at first of a Herculean character.
Brushing the dense undergrowth and then felling the timber at a face costs.
from £1 10s. to =£2 per acre, according to density, size of timber, and propor-
tion of hardwood trees contained in it, and once this is done the fallen mass
is allowed to become thoroughly dry, when it is burnt off. A good fire is half
the battle, as the subsequent work of burning off the heavy timber left from
the first burn is comparatively light. No stumps are taken out, as the bulk
are found to rot out in a few years, and their presence in the soil is no-
detriment to the planting' of such crops as bananas or even citrus fruit trees.
No special preparation of the land, such as breaking up, &c., is necessary prior
to planting. Holes are dug, trees or bananas are planted, and the whole culti-
vation for the first few years consists in keeping down weed growths with the
chipping hoe. Once the stumps have rotted out the plough and other imple-
ments of culture take the place of the hoe. These soils are especially adapted
for the growth of oranges, limes, mandarins, mangoes, bananas, pineapples,
papaws, custard apples, strawberries, and cape gooseberries in the South; in
fact, for nearly every kind of tropical and semi-tropical fruit.

Some basaltic soils are occasionally covered with forest in the place of
scrub, or a mixture, part scrub and part forest. Forest country, as distinct
from scrub, is open-timbered country, with little undergrowth, and no vines or
other creepers. The timbers are also, as a rule, very hard, and the stumps

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND. 23

will Dot rot out. Such land, when at all heavily timbered, is much harder to
clear and get ready for fruit-growing than true scrub, as all timber must be
felled and burnt off, and all stumps and roots taken out, so that the land can
be thc-roughly broken up and brought into a good state of tilth prior to plant-
ing. These soils are suitable to the growth of similar fruits to the true scrubs,
but, as a rule, they are not as rich. The second class of soils suitable to fruit-
growing are of alluvial origin, and are of a sandy, loamy nature, of fair depth.
They are usually met with along our creeks and rivers, or in the deltas of our
rivers. In their virgin state they are either covered with scrub or forest, or a
mixture of both, but the growth is seldom as strong as on the red volcanic soils.
Heavy alluvial soils are not suitable for fruit culture, and are much more
valuable for the growth of farm crops, but the light sandy loams and free
loams of medium character suit all kinds of fruit to perfection. These soils
usually are easy to work. They retain moisture well when well worked, and
frequently they are capable of being irrigated, either from adjacent creeks or
rivers, or by water from wells. These soils are some of our best for citrus
fruits, and are well adapted for the growth of pineapples and bananas, as well
as most other tropical fruits, when free from frosts. The third class of soils are
free sandy loams, either scrub or forest. They are of various colours, and
range in texture from light sandy loams to medium loams; they possess excel-
lent drainage, and though, when covered with forest, they are not naturally
rich, they make excellent fruit soils, and respond rapidly to systematic culti-
vation and manuring. They are usually of sandstone or granitic origin, and,
when covered with scrub in the first place, grow good crops for the first few
years, when they become more or less exhausted in one or more available plant
foods, and require manuring. These soils, like the sandy alluvial loams, are
easy to work, retain moisture well when kept in a state of perfect tilth, and
respond readily to manuring. They will grow all kinds of fruits when free
from frost. There are other soils on which fruit can be grown, but those
mentioned represent those most suitable. The land on which these soils occur
is often much broken, particularly in rich scrub country ; it is fairly level when
of alluvial origin, and more or less rolling, as a rule, when of a sandy loamy
nature. High, ridgy, free, loamy country is usually the most free from frost,
and alluvial flats the most liable to it.

2nd.— Soils of the Coastal Tablelands, suitable for the Growth of
Deciduous Fruit.

Starting from the Southern part of the State, adjoining the New South
Wales border, the fruit soils are all of granitic origin. The country is much
broken, but between the ridges and along the creek flats there is a considerable
area possessing soils varying from a coarse, granitic, gritty soil to a fine granitic
soil; that on the creeks of an alluvial nature, but still granitic. These soils
vary considerably in quality, but are, as a rule, easy to work and retain
moisture well. They are covered with open forest and are particularly adapted
to the growth of apples, plums, peaches, and grapes, though other deciduous
fruits are grown but not to the same excellence as those mentioned. Proceed-
ing north the fruit soils are either sandy loams or loams of a brownish colour

24 FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

of volcanic origin. The former are suitable for almonds and wine grapes, and
the latter for peaches, apricots, pears, apples, and especially olives. Further
north a few of these fruits may be grown on loamy soils, together with citrus
fruits, but, commercially, deciduous fruits are confined to the southern end of
this district, the winter temperature being too high for their successful growth
further north, as the trees get no winter rest, hence do not mature their fruit-
bearing wood properly.

3rd.— Soils of the Central Tablelands, suitable to the Growth of Grapes,
Dates, Citrus Fruits, Etc.

At the Southern end of the State the fruit soils are all of a sandy nature.
Nothing else is used in any quantity, as sandy soils alone will retain sufficient
moisture for the growth of grapes and fruit trees during dry spells, and even
then only when kept well and deeply worked. Further north, where suitable
artesian water is available, the best fruit soils are also free loams of a sandy
nature, either aluvial or open forest soils, but deep, and possessing perfect
drainage, as irrigation on land without good natural drainage is fatal to fruit
culture. These sandy loams are also easy to work ; though by no means rich,
they, on account of their depth, grow good crops of fruit by means of irriga-
tion, and the fruit, such as dates, oranges, lemons, grapes, &c., is of very fine
quality. The fruit soils of this district are covered either with open forest —
the trees being of comparatively small size — or with a scrubby undergrowth
through which a few larger trees are scattered. Nearly all the timber of this
district is extremely hard, is more or less stunted, and burns readily, hence
clearing is not a very expensive item.

Having now given a very brief description of our climate and the fruit-
soils in our principal fruit-producing centres, we will next consider the culture
of those fruits which are grown in commercial quantities in the different parts
of the State, as well as that of a few less well-known fruits which show
especial promise. We will first deal with our tropical fruits, of which the first
to be considered is the banana, as its production greatly exceeds that of any
other tropical fruit, and, as far as Australia is concerned, this is the only State
in which it is grown in commercial quantities. From tropical fruits we will
go on to semi-tropical fruits, then to temperate fruits and vines.

THE BANANA.

Under the heading of " Banana," all kinds of plantains will also be
included, as they belong to one and the same family. The members of this
family of plants are all tropical, and produce the most typical and best known
tropical fruits.

The rank luxuriance of the growth of this class of fruits, their handsome
foliage, their productiveness, their high economic value as food, and their
universal distribution throughout the tropics, all combine to place them in a
premier position. As a food it is unequalled amongst fruits, as no matter
whether it is used green as a vegetable, ripe as a fruit, dried and ground into

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

25

flour, or preserved in any other way, it is one of the most wholesome and
nutritious of foods for human consumption. It is a staple article of diet in
all tropical countries, and the stems of several varieties make an excellent
food for all kinds of stock.

In Queensland, the culture of bananas is confined to the frostless belts of
the eastern seaboard, as it is a plant that is extremely susceptible to cold, and

26

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

27

us injured by the lightest frosts. It is grown in favourable locations in the
South, where it produces excellent fruit, but its cultivation is much greater in
the North, where the rainfall is heavier and the average annual temperature
greater. In the Southern part of the State its cultivation is entirely in the
^ands of white growers, who have been growing it on suitable soil in suitable
localities for the past fifty years or even more. I recently saw an old planta-
tion that was set out over twenty years ago, and the present plants are still
strong and healthy, and bearing good bunches of well-filled fruit, so that there
is no question as to the suitability of the soil or climate. Bananas do best on
nich .scrub land, and it is no detriment to their growth if it is more or less

Twenty-dozen Bunch, Buderim Mountain.

covered with stones as long as there is sufficient soil to set the young plants.
Shelter from heavy or cold winds is an advantage, and the plants thrive better
under these conditions than when planted in more exposed positions. Bananas
are frequently the first crop planted in newly burnt off scrub land, as they do
not require any special preparation of such land, and the large amount of ash
and partially burnt and decomposed vegetable mould provide an ample supply
of food for the plants' use. Bananas are rank feeders, so that this abundance
of available plant food causes a rapid growth, fine plants, and correspondingly
large bunches of fruit. Though newly burnt off scrub land is the best for this
fruit, it can be grown successfully in land that has been under cultivation for
many years, provided that the land is rich enough naturally, or its fertility is

28

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND. 29

maintained by judicious green and other manuring. In newly burnt off scrub
land all that is necessary is, to dig holes 15 to 18 inches in diameter, and about
•2 feet deep, set the young plants in it, and partly fill in the hole with good top
soil. The young plant, which consists of a sucker taken from an older plant,
will soon take root and grow rapidly under favourable conditions, producing its
first bunch in from ten to twelve months after planting. At the same time that
it is producing its first bunch it will send up two or more suckers at the base of
the parent plant, and these in turn will bear fruit, and so on. After bearing,
the stalk that has produced the bunch of fruit is cut down; if this is not done
it will die down, as its work has been completed, and other suckers take its
place. Too many suckers should not be allowed to grow or the plants will
become too crowded, and be consequently stunted and produce small bunches.
All the cultivation that is necessary is the keeping down of weed growth, and
this, once the plants occupy the whole of the land, is not a hard matter. A
plantation is at its best when about three years old, but remains profitable
for six years or longer; in fact, there are many plantations still bearing good
fruit that have been planted from twelve to twenty years. Small-prrowing or
dwarf kinds, such as the Cavendish variety, are planted at from 12 to 16 feet
apart each way, but large-growing bananas, such as the Sugar and Lady's
Finger, require from 20 to 25 feet apart each way, as do the stronger-growing
varieties of plantain. Plantains are not grown to any extent in Queensland,
and our principal varieties are those already mentioned, the Cavendish variety
greatly predominating. In the North, the cultivation of this latter variety is
carried out on an extensive scale, principally by Chinese gardeners, who send
the bulk of their produce to the Southern States of the Commonwealth. The
industry supports a large number of persons other than the actual producers
of the fruit, and forms one of our principal articles of export from the North.
As many as 20,000 or more large bunches of bananas frequently leave by a
single steamer for the South, and the bringing of this quantity to the port of
shipment gives employment to a number of men on tram lines and small
coastal steamers. The shipment of a heavy cargo of bananas presents a very
busy scene that is not soon forgotten, the thousands of bunches of fruit that are
either piled up on the wharf or that are being unloaded from railway trucks,
small steamers or sometimes Chinese junks, forming such a mass of fruit that
one often wonders how it is possible to consume it all before it becomes over-
ripe. Still, it is consumed, or, at any rate, the greater portion of it is, as it is
the universal fruit of the less wealthy portion of the community, the price at
which it can be sold being so low that it is within the reach of everyone. A
banana garden in full bearing J^s a very pretty sight, the thousands of plants,
each with their one or more bunches of fruit, as, where there are several stems
it is not at all uncommon to find two or more bunches of fruit in different
states of development on the same plant, forming a mass of vegetation that
must be seen to be appreciated. This is the case even with dwarf-growing
kinds, but with strong-growing varieties, such as the Lady's Finger, the
growth is so excessive that the wonder is, how the soil can support it.

Bananas do remarkably well in Queensland, and there is practically an
unlimited area of country suitable for their culture, much of which is at present

30

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

FRUITS OF QUEEXSLAXD. 31

in a state of Nature. Only the more easily accessible lands have been worked
and of these only the richest. Manuring is unknown in most parts, and as soon
as the plantation shows signs of deterioration it is abandoned, and a fresh one
planted out in new land, the land previously under crop with bananas being
either planted in sugar-cane or allowed to run to grass. This is certainly a
very wasteful method of utilising our land, and the time will come, sooner or
later, when greater care will have to be given to it, and that once land has
become impoverished by banana culture, it will have to be put under a suitable
rotation of crops, so as to fit it for being again planted to bananas. The
trouble is, as I have already stated, we have too much land and too few people
to work it, hence, so far, we are unable to use it to anything like the best
advantage. During the year 1904 the production of bananas in Queensland
was some 2,000,000 bunches, and when it is considered that each bunch will
average about 12 dozen fruit, it will be seen that already we are producing
a very large quantity. There is, however, plenty of room for extension, and
any quantity of available countiy, but before this extension can be profitable,
steps will have to be taken to utilise the fruit in a manner other than its
consumption as fresh fruit, and this in itself will mean the opening up of new
industries and the employment of a considerable amount of labour. I have
mentioned 12 dozen as being the average quantity of fruit per bunch, but it
is frequently much more than this, and I have often seen bunches of 25 to
30 dozen fine fruit grown on strong young plants on rich new land. Although
the industry in the North is now almost entirely in the hands of Chinese
gardeners, there is no reason whatever why it should not be run by white
growers, as is done in the South, and there is no question that our white-
grown bananas in the South compare more than favourably with the Northern
Chinese-grown article, despite the fact that the latter has every advantage
in climate and an abundance of virgin soil. Most of the photos, of bananas
are, I am sorry to say, not by any -means typical of this industry, as they
have been taken during the off-season, when the plants Jook ragged and are
showing little new growth, and the bunches also are much smaller than usual.
Still, I hope that the illustrations will give some idea of the growing and
handling of this crop, and will show what a banana plant and its bunch are
like.

THE PINEAPPLE.

If there is one fruit that Queensland can grow to perfection, it is
undoubtedly the pineapple. This is not merely my own personal opinion, but
is the universal admission of all who are qualified to judge. On many occasions
I have taken men thoroughly conversant with pineapple-growing, and who
knew what a good fruit really is, through some of our plantations, where I
have given them fruit to test, and, without exception, they have had no hesita-
tion in saying that they have never tasted better fruit. Our fruit has a firm-
ness, freedom from fibre, and a flavour that is hard to beat. It is an excellent
canning fruit, superior in this respect to the Singapore article, which it sur-
passes in flavour. This is admitted by English and European buyers, and its
superiority is bound eventually to result in a great increase in canning and the
establishment of large works run on thoroughly up-to-date lines.

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND. 33

Like the banana, the pineapple is a tropical fruit, and is very sensitive
to cold, hence its culture is confined to frost-less districts. It is grown all
along our eastern seaboard, where, when planted in suitable soils and under
mutable conditions, it is, undoubtedly, our hardiest fruit, and is practically
immune from any serious disease. Its culture is entirely in the open, no shelter
\\ liau-ver being given, so that we are not put to the great expense that growers
of this fruit in Florida and some other pineapple-producing countries must
incur if they wish to secure a crop. Here we have no severe freeze-outs, and,
though dry spells retard the growth at times, we have never suffered any serious
injury from this cause. In the Southern part of the State, the coolness of the
winter retards growth somewhat, and occasionally the tops of the leaves and
young fruit are slightly injured, particularly in low-lying land, or where the
plants are growing on land having a cold subsoil. When grown under more
favourable conditions, however, they sustain no injury, and produce fruit, more
or less, all the year round. Pines are always in season, though there are times
when they are comparatively scarce. There are usually two main crops a year
— viz., a summer and a winter crop. The former is the heavier of the two, and
the fruit is decidedly the best, as its sugar contents are much higher. The
main summer crop ripens in the North from the beginning of November, and
in the South from January to as late as March in some seasons. The main
winter crop is usually at its best in July and August, but there is always more
or less fruit during the other months of the year. The pineapple likes a warm,
free, well-drained soil, that is free from frost in winter, and that will not
become soured by heavy rain during summer. Sandy loams are, therefore, our
best pineapple soils, though it does well on free loams of basaltic or alluvial
origin. Unlike the banana, the pineapple does not do too well in newly burnt
off scrub land, owing to the difficulty in working the ground and keeping it
clean. It requires a thorough preparation of the soil prior to planting in order
to be grown to perfection. In the case of new land of suitable texture, the
timber should all be burnt off, and all stumps and roots taken out of the soil,
which should then be carefully broken up and reduced to a fine tilth, all weed or
grass growth being destroyed. It should then be again ploughed, and, if
possible, subsoiled, so as to permit of the roots penetrating the ground to a fair
depth instead of their merely depending on the few top inches of surface soil.
Careful preparation of the land and deep stirring prior to planting will be
found to pay well, and turn out far the cheapest in the end. Given suitable soil,
well prepared, the growing of pineapples is not at all difficult, as the plants
soon take root, and once they become established, they prove themselves to be
extremely hardy. Pines will grow and thrive on comparatively poor soil, pro-
vided it is of suitable texture, but in such soils it is necessary to supplement the
plant food in the soil by the addition of manures, if large fruit and heavy crops
are to be obtained. Pineapples are propagated by means of suckers coming
from the base of fruit-bearing plants, or from smaller suckers, or, as they
are termed, robbers or gill sprouts that start from the fruiting stem just at
the base of the fruit. They are also sometimes propagated by means of the
crown, but this method is usually considered too slow. Well-developed suckers
are usually preferred, as these come into bearing earliest, but equally good,
2

34

FltUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

FltUlTS OF QUEENSLAND. 35

if not better, returns are obtained by planting gill sprouts. The latter have
the advantage in that they always develop a good root system before showing
signs of fruit, hence their first crop is always a good one, and the fruit is
of the best, whereas suckers so-metimes start flowering as soon as they are
planted, before they are properly established, with the result that the first
fruit is small and inferior, and the plants have to throw out fresh suckers
before a good crop is produced. Gill sprouts are slower in coming into bearing
than suckers, but the results are usually more satisfactory. Like the banana,
•once a pineapple plant has borne fruit the fruiting stalk dies down, and its
place is taken by one or more suckers, which in their turn bear fruit and die.
Pineapples are planted in Queensland in several ways, but by far the most
common method is to set the suckers out in single or double rows, from 8 to
9 feet apart, with the plants at from 1 to 2 feet apart in the row. The rows
soon increase in width by the growth of suckers, and the throwing up of
ratoons — surface roots thrown off from the original plant, which send up plants
from below the ground as distinct from suckers, which come from the base or
even higher up the stem of a fruiting plant. It is not at all an uncommon
thing to see the rows grown together, so that the plantation appears to be a
solid mass of plants, but pathways have to be kept between the rows to permit
of gathering the fruit, manuring, &c. Pineapples have been grown in the
Brisbane district for the past sixty years, and I have been shown beds of
giants that have not been replanted for over forty years that are still producing
good fruit. This shows how well at home this fruit is with us; but, in my
opinion, it is not desirable to keep the plants so long in the same ground, as
the finest fruit is always obtained from comparatively young plantations, the
older ones producing too large a proportion of small fruit. From the Brisbane
district this fruit has spread all over the eastern coast, and its production is
increasing rapidly in several districts. Once the pine is planted, its cultivation
is comparatively simple. If in single or double rows, all weed growth is kept
down between the plants, and the ground between the rows is kept in a state of
good cultivation by means of ploughing or cultivating, the soil being worked
towards the rows so as to encourage the formation of suckers low down on the
fruiting plants. Manure is given when necessary, the manure being worked
in on either side of the rows.

The pineapple comes into bearing early, and, except where suckers throw
fruit as soon as planted, bear their first crop in from twelve to twenty months,
according to the type of suckers planted and the time of year at which they
are set. Practically every sucker will produce a fruit at the first fruiting, and
these will be followed by succeeding crops, borne on the successive crops of
-suckers, so that when the whole of the ground is occupied by plants, the returns
,nv very heavy. One thousand dozen marketable fruits is by no means an
unusual crop for Queen pines in a plantation in full bearing, and, taking these
at an average of 2J Ib. each, you get a return of 30,000 lb., or 15 tons
American per acre. The illustrations herewith give a good general idea of
the usual method of growing pines, and the method of handling and marketing,
as well as of the nature of the country on which they are grown. The illustra-

36

FRUIT 8 OF QUEENSLAND.

Pineapple Plantation — Pines packed for market, and showing fruit-grower's home,

Woombye District.

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND. 37

tions are mostly of smooth-leaved pines, which bear a fruit averaging from
6 to 8 Ib. each, but occasionally running up to as much as 14 to 16 lb., though
the latter is an extreme weight. The single pine shown is just under 12 lb.
Several kinds of pines are grown, which are generally classified into roughs,
and smooths. The rough, or rough-leaved pines, such as the Common Queen
and Ripley Queen, and local seedlings raised from them, are very prolific, and
though not equal in size and appearance to the smooth-leaved Cayenne, our
principal smooth-leaved kind, are usually considered to be of superior flavour,
and to be better for canning or preserving. Rough pines run up to as much as
6 lb. weight each, but this is uncommon, the best average I have met with
being about 4 lb. per pine, and they were exceptionally good. The price at
which this fruit sells here seems absurd to those living in cold countries, who
are accustomed to look upon it as a luxury only found on the tables of the
wealthy, as good rough-leaved pines are worth about Is. per dozen during
the summer season, and smooth-leaved pines from Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d. a dozen.
Prices are certainly higher during the off-season, but growers would be well
satisfied to get Is. per dozen for rough pines all the year round. I have no
hesitation in saying that pines can be grown at a profit at from £3 to £4 per
ton, so that the cost of growing is so low that there is nothing to prevent us
from canning the fruit and selling it at a price that will defy competition.

Pineapple-growing has been a very profitable industry, particularly in the
older plantations of the Brisbane district, and still continues to be so in many
places despite the fact that prices are much lower now than they were some
years since. The plantations from which the illustrations are taken are com-
paratively new ones, the land having been in its virgin state from six to eight
years ago, and, as shown, some is only now being cleared. The owners of the
plantations started without capital, and, by dint of hard work and persever-
ance, are now reaping an excellent return of some £50 per acre net profit.
This is by no -means an isolated example, but is one that is typical of what caa
be done, and has therefore been chosen. There is a great opening for the
culture of this fruit in Queensland, and its cultivation is capable of being-
extended to a practically unlimited extent. We have a large amount of land
suitable for the growth of this fruit that is available in different parts of the
State, much of it at very reasonable rates, so that there is no difficulty in this
direction for anyone wishing to make a start. It is an industry from which
returns are quickly obtained, and is a branch of fruit-growing that holds out
strong inducements and every prospect of success to intending growers. At
present our production is about sufficient for our presently existing markets,
but there is nothing to prevent these markets being widely extended. Our
present means of utilising our surplus fruits, by canning or otherwise preserv-
ing same, are by no means as complete or up to date as they should be, and
before they can become so, it is necessary to greatly increase our output. Small
works cost too much to run as compared with large canning establishments^
hence we are not yet in a position to make the most of our fruit. With
increased production we will have an increase in the facilities for utilising the
fruit. This requires labour, and there is right here an opening for many

38

Fit UITS OF Q UEEXSLA ND.

FRUITS OF

Q

industrious workers, a business that I have no doubt will pay from the start, at
business of which we have the Australian monopoly, and in which there is no-
reason that I can see in which we should not compete satisfactorily in the-
markets of the world.

40

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

FRUITS OF QUEEySLAXD. 41

Queensland possesses many advantages respecting the growth of this fruit
as compared with other countries in which it is grown commercially, which
may be briefly enumerated as follows : —

1st. — Freedom from loss by freeze-outs;

2nd. — The ease with which the fruit can be grown, and its freedom from
disease;

3rd. — The large area of land suitable to its culture, and the low price at

which suitable land can be obtained;
4th. — The fine quality of the fruit;
5th. — The superiority of our fruit for canning purposes;

6th. — The low price at which it can be produced, and the heavy crops
that can be grown.

These are enough reasons to show that in the pineapple we have a fruit well
suited to our soil and climate, a fruit in the cultivation of which there is room
for great extension, and which will provide a living for many industrious
settlers.

THE MANGO.

This magnificent fruit, which is practically unknown outside of the tropics,,
has become as hardy as a forest tree throughout our eastern seaboard, wher-
ever it is planted out of frost. It has been named, and well named too, the apple
of Queensland, as it stands as much neglect, and can be grown with as little
care and attention as, or even less, than that given to the apple-trees in many
of the Somerset or Devonshire orchards. It will not, however, stand frost.
Droughts and floods have little effect on it; it will grow in any soil, from a
sand to a heavy loam, amongst rocks, or on a gravelly or shaley land.
Naturally, it does best in good land, but there are hundreds of cases where
trees are doing well and bearing heavily on land that is by no means fruit
land. The mango is one of our handsomest fruit trees; the symmetry of its-
growth, its large glossy leaves, the delicate colouring of its young growth,
which is of different shades in different varieties, the abundance of fruit that it
produces, varying in colour from dull-green to yellow, red, or even purplish
tints, all render it conspicuous. As well as being one of our handsomest, it-
is also one of our most widely distributed fruits, being found growing luxuri-
antly the whole length of our eastern seaboard. A few trees are also to be met
with inland in districts that are free from frosts, so that it stands both the dry
heat of the interior and the humid heat of the coast. As a tropical fruit it
naturally reaches its greatest perfection under our most tropical conditions,
the trees there growing practically wild, requiring little if any attention,
making a rapid growth, coming into bearing early, and producing heavy crops
of fruit. Further south the growth is somewhat slower, though the trees grow-
to a large size and bear heavily. It is one of the easiest of trees to grow, as
it is readily propagated by means of seed. In many plantations thousands of

42

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

young seedlings may often be seen growing under the old trees, the seeds
having taken root without even having been planted. In most cases it is
propagated from seed, the stones of fruit showing especial merit being planted
either in a nursery, or, better, still, where the tree is to remain permanently, as

FltUITS OF QUEEXSLAXD. 43;

it usually does better when so planted than when grown in a nursery and thence
transplanted to its permanent location. The land should be well worked prior
to planting, and the young trees require to be kept free from weeds and under-
growth till such time as they occupy the whole of the ground, when they are
able to look after themselves, and require no further attention, at any rate in
tin- warmer parts. It is not at all uncommon to come across a mango-tree, in
full bearing, in vigorous health, that is growing wild, the result of a stone that
has been thrown away by someone who has eaten the fruit. The young tree
has not only been able to hold its own against all kinds of indigenous growths,,
but has developed into a vigorous, healthy tree, thus showing that it is per-
fectly at home, and that the soil and climate of Queensland suit it to perfection.
The fact that by far the greater portion of our mango-trees have been grown
from seed has resulted in the production of innumerable varieties, many of
which are of decidedly inferior quality, as one never knows when planting the
seed what the resultant fruit is going to be like. One is more likely to get
good fruit by planting the seeds from selected fruit of the highest quality, but
is by no means certain to do so, as a number of seeds always revert to inferior
types. This has had a bad effect on our mango industry, and has been apt
to give the fruit as a class a bad name, so much so that we find it difficult
to get our Southern neighbours to take to it at all readily. I can quite under-
stand anyone, whose first experience of a mango is that of an inferior fruit,
full of fibre, and having a distinctly disagreeable flavour, condemning the
particular fruit, but because there are inferior fruits one should not condemn
the whole without knowing what a really good mango is like.

We have many good mangoes in Queensland, but only a few that are
really first-class, and of the latter I have yet to meet the man or woman, who
is a fruit-eater, who does not appreciate their exquisite flavour, and who does
not consider them worthy to rank with any of the finest fruits. By many a
really fine mango is considered to be the king of fruits, and I am not at all
certain that they are not right, but, at the same time, a really bad mango is
indescribably bad.

The mango grows to a large size here, even when comparatively young.
I know trees over 50 feet in height, having a spread of the branches of more
than 60 feet, a main trunk nearly 3 feet in diameter, that are under thirty
years old, and that have borne from 1 to 2 tons of fruit for a single crop.
Hundreds of tons of fruit go to waste annually for want of a market, or are
consumed by farm1 animals, as the consumption of the fruit is practically con-
fined to this State, and the production is greater than we can consume, despite
the fact that mangoes are in season from the end of September to March, and
that they are a favourite fruit with all who have acquired a liking for them.
In addition to the consumption of the fruit in its fresh state, a quantity is
converted into chutney, but this is so small that it has no appreciable effect
on the crop as a whole. The unripe fruit makes an excellent substitute for

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

apples, and is used stewed or for pies or tarts, and when sliced and dried it may
be stored and used in a similar manner to dried apples.

In addition to its value as a fruit, the mango forms a handsome ornar
mental tree, and one that provides a good shade for stock. It is very free
from disease, as with the exception of one or two species of scale insects, which

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND. 45

do not cause any very serious damage, it has few serious pests. It is a fruit
that is bound sooner or later to come into more general favour, particularly
when the qualities of the finer varieties are better known. Until quite recently
it was considered to be one of the most difficult trees to propagate by means
of grafting or budding, hence its propagation has been practically confined to
raising it from seed, but now we have found out how to work it by means of
plate-budding, and are able to perpetuate our best sorts true to kind. This is
sure to lead to a general improvement of our existing varieties, as old trees
can be worked over by this means, or young trees of approved kinds can be
grown in a nursery and distributed.

The fruit is very wholesome, is much appreciated by all who have acquired
a taste for it, can be used fresh or dry, ripe or unripe, and cans well. It is a
great addition to our list of purely tropical fruits, and finds a place in all
orchards or gardens where it is capable of being grown.

THE MANGOSTEEN.

Many attempts have been made during past years to introduce this
delicious fruit into Queensland, but these always resulted in failure.
True, a certain variety of mangosteen has been successfully grown at
Port Douglas, also on the Lower Burdekin, and rumours of the existence
of the true Java mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) have been received,
but, in nearly every case, they have, on investigation, proved to be
(iui-t inia xantlwcliymus, or some other species. At the Kamerunga State
Nursery, however, trees of undoubted parentage were successfully raised.
It is said that a thriving young plant, which is unquestionably G. mango-
stana, is owned by Mr. Banfield, of Dunk Island. The records of the
Kamerunga Nursery show that in October, 1891, a quantity — about 100
— of ripe mangosteen fruit was received from the Batavian agency by
the then manager, Mr. Ebenezer Cowley, from which some 600 seeds
were obtained. Of these, only a few germinated. The next mention is
of the distribution, in- February, 1892, of six plants to an applicant on
the Mossman, and of two more in May of that year. Since then several
young trees have been raised at the nursery, and one of them, in January,
1913, fruited for the first time for twenty-two years, and is the first to
have done so in this State. Some of the fruit was sent to the Department
of Agriculture and Stock, and proved to be fully equal to those of Java.
A full history of the mangosteen and of its introduction into Queensland
is given in " The Queensland Agricultural Journal " (vol. xxx., June
and July. 1913). The photographs were taken from the original fruit.

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

Fruit of Mangosteen

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND. 47

THE PAPAW.

Continuing our list of tropical fruits, we now come to the papaw, one of
our most wholesome -and useful fruits. It is grown all along our eastern
seaboard in situations that are free from frost. It comes into bearing early,
and is a heavy cropper. Like the other tropical fruits already described, it
does best in our wanner parts, coming to maturity earlier, and producing
better fruit. In many of the Northern coastal scrubs it is often met with
growing wild, and producing fruit in abundance, the seeds from which the trees
have been produced having been dropped by birds or distributed by other
natural agencies. The papaw fruit resembles a rock melon somewhat in shape
and flavour, the fruit being produced in the axil of the leaves all along the -main
stem, where they are clustered thickly together. The tree does best on well-
drained soils, and is very sensitive to the presence of clay or stagnant water
at the roots, hence it usually does best on scrub land or land well supplied
with humus. It is propagated entirely from seed, which grows readily in such
soils, and under favourable conditions will bear its first fruit when about ten to
twelve months old, and continue to bear for three or four years or even longer.
When the trees becomes old, however, the fruit decreases in size and deteriorates
in quality, so that it is necessary to plant a, number yearly in order to keep up
a regular supply. It is a very handsome tree, with large spreading leaves on
long stems, beneath which is its cluster of fruit — as many as 100 fruits being
sometimes found in different stages of development on the one plant. The
fruit ranges in size from 2 Ib. to some 6 Ib. in weight, and when ripe it is
of a greenish-yellow or sometimes orange colour. The flesh is yellow, and when
quite ripe it is moderately juicy, and of a flavour that it not always appreciated
at first, but which one soon becomes very partial to. It more nearly resembles
the flavour of a rock melon than that of any other fruit, and the seeds, which
are found clustered in the centre of the fruit, have a flavour that closely
resembles that of seeds of the nasturtium. Both the seeds and the fruit
contain an active principle called papain, which is really a vegetable pepsin,
that has the effect of greatly assisting in the assimilation of all food with
which it is eaten, hence it is a valuable remedy in the case of dyspepsia, and
persons who take the fruit regularly are never subject to this exceedingly
troublesome disease. The fruit can be used both as a vegetable and as a
fruit, the former in its green state, when it is boiled and served with melted
butter, resembles a vegetable marrow or squash, but is superior to either of
these vegetables. As a fruit it is either used by itself, or in conjunction with
other fruits it forms the basis of a fruit salad. It is largely used in the North,
and its cultivation is steadily spreading South, as its valuable properties are
becoming better known. Its cultivation is very simple. The seeds are either
planted where the tree is to remain, or are raised in a bed and transplanted
to their permanent position in the orchard when strong enough to stand
shifting, care being taken to select a dull moist day. The young plants are
protected from the sun for a few days till they have become established, after
which all that is necessary is to keep down weeds and to work the soil round
them, taking care not to injure the roots. A good mulch of decomposed

48

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

Fapaw in fruit, near Brisbane.

FRUITS OF QUEEXSLAXD. 49

vegetable matter round the plants is an advantage, but they are usually so
easily grown that little extra care is given to them. The papaw bears male
and female flowers, which may be on the same trees, but are usually on
different trees, so that it is usual to speak of male and female trees. This is,
however, a mistake, as according to Bailey the plant is polygamous — that is
to say, male, female, or hermaphrodite flowers may be found on the same or
on distinct plants. The male flowers are usually on long scantily-branched
auxiliary panicles, whereas the female flowers are mostly in the axils of the
leaves close to the stem. The two trees are not distinguishable from each
other till they come into flower, hence it is advisable to set the young plants
fairly close together — say, 6 feet apart — and thin out the male trees when
same can be distinguished by their blossoms.

Besides its use as a fruit and vegetable, the papaw makes a fair conserve
and an excellent sauce, and its medicinal principle, " papain," is an article of
commerce.

THE COCOA-NUT.

Although this palm can be grown for ornamental purposes as far south as
Brisbane, its cultivation on commercial lines will be confined to the coast
district north of Townsville, and to the islands off the coast, as, in order to
develop its fruit to perfection, it requires a tropical climate. Where the climate
is suitable it does well, it makes a rapid growth, and bears heavy crops of nuts.
Old palms on the beach at Cairns compare favourably with any growing in
the South Seas, and I am of opinion that its culture in commercial quantities
on suitable land will be found profitable. The cocoa-nut palm does best right
on or adjacent to the seashore, in comparatively poor sandy soil — soil that is
usually of little value for general crops, though it will grow mangoes well.
So far, it is not grown in any large numbers, and although there is a ready
sale for the ripe nuts, there is no attempt to make copra or to utilise the coir.
Copra is the dried flesh of the nut, from which oil is extracted, and is largely
used in the manufacture of soap, candles, &c., the refuse left after the oil has
been extracted being used for cattle feed. Coir is the fibre surrounding the
nut, and is used for the manufacture of matting, door mats, &c.

There is a considerable area of land suitable to the culture of this fruit
on our Northern coast, which is at present lying idle, that, in my opinion, can
be turned to a profitable use by planting it in cocoa-nuts as, in addition to
utilising land otherwise of little value, we would be building tip a new industry.
The trees come into bearing in about eight years after planting the seed, and
will continue to produce crops for many years without any attention. Care
will have to be given for the first few years, whilst the plants are small,
to keep down undergrowth and to prevent fires from running through the
plantation, but, once fairly established, the plants will look after themselves.
A cocoa-nut plantation gives a distinctly tropical look to the district in which
it is grown, and the palms, particularly when young, are very ornamental; when

50

FRUIT 8 OF QUEENSLAND.

old the long bare stems detract somewhat from the beauty of the top. It is a
palm that I believe has a good future before it in the North, and for that
reason I have included it amongst our tropical fruits, though it is cultivated
at present -more as an ornamental plant than as an article of commerce.

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND. 51

THE GRANADILLA.

A vine, belonging to the natural order Passiflore-ae, that produces one of
our most delicious tropical fruits. The papaw and the passion fruit belong
to this same order. It can be grown all along our eastern seaboard, but comes
to greatest perfection in the North. The fruit is of a pale greenish-yellow
colour, cylindrical in shape, and varies in weight from about 1 to 5 lb., the
largest fruits being produced on a sub-species. The fruit consists of an outer
pulpy covering, which can be used for cooking if desired, which surrounds a
cavity filled with seeds which are encased in a jelly-like mass. This is the
portion eaten, and to use an Americanism, " It is not at all hard to take." It
is either eaten by itself, or is used in conjunction with papaw and other fruits
to make a fruit salad, a dish that is fit for the food of the gods, and once taken
is never forgotten.

The granadilla is easily grown from seed, and the plants are trained on an
overhead trellis, the fruit hanging down on the underside. It is a heavy
bearer, and once planted requires little attention. It requires a free, warm soil,
that is fairly rich, to be grown to perfection, hence it is most commonly grown
on scrub land. It can, however, be grown on any well-prepared land of a free
nature. Unfortunately, it is a difficult fruit to ship any distance, hence its
consumption is mainly confined to the districts in which it is grown, and where,
needless to say, it is greatly appreciated. It is in fruit more or less all the
year round, its main crop being in early spring in the North, and during the
summer months further South. It is sometimes made into jam or jelly, but
when preserved loses much of its characteristic flavour.

THE PASSION FRUIT.

This fruit is very closely related to the granadilla, but is much hardier
than it, and can be grown to perfection much further South. It is not injured
by frost to any extent in any part of coastal Queensland, and can be grown a
considerable distance inland. It is more rightly a semi-tropical than a tropical
fruit, though, as it is so nearly related to the granadilla, I have included
it amongst the tropical fruits. It is also a vine, and, when grown commercially,
is trained along a horizontal trellis, in a somewhat similar manner to a grape
vine. It is readily grown from seed, and will produce fruit in less than twelve
months from the time that it is planted, and will continue to bear fruit for
some years. It does best on a free, warm soil of fair quality, though it may
be grown anywhere with care, and often thrives well in very poor soils with the
addition of manure. It is found growing wild on the borders of many of our
scrubs and elsewhere, the seeds having been deposited by birds or other
agencies, and under such conditions it produces an abundance of fruit. The
fruit is of^a roundish oval shape, and is of a dark-purple colour. It is about
the size of a large hen's egg, the outer skin being hard and shell-like, and
the centre filled with the seeds, which are surrounded with a jelly-like mass
and a yellowish pulp. It is a very fine flavoured fruit, and is universally liked.

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

FRUITS OF QUEEXSLAXD. 53

It is grown in considerable quantities in the Southern part of the State, and
is one of our commonest fruits. It has usually two crops a year — a summer
and a winter crop — but can be got to produce its fruit at any particular time
that is desired by systematic pruning at different times of the year. It is
often grown over sheds, dead trees, fallen logs, &c., which it covers with a
mass of dense green foliage, and converts what would otherwise be an unsightly
object into an ornament. The illustration herewith shows this well, and gives
a, good idea of the growth of a single vine. Commercially it is grown on
trellis, so that the land between the rows can be kept well cultivated, and
also to permit of ease in the gathering of the fruit. When ripe, the fruit drops,
and the gathering is usually from the ground. The fruit carries well, but
will not keep for any length of time, as it shrivels up. It is principally used
as a fresh fruit, though it is also made into jam or jelly, and it often forms
part of a fruit salad, taking the place of the granadilla. It has few pests, and
is one of the easiest fruits to grow.

CUSTARD APPLES.

Under this heading I will include all the Anonas, such as the sour sop,
sweet sop, bullock's heart, and cherimoya. The sour sop is purely tropical,
and is very sensitive to frost, but the other species are by no means so tender,
and can be grown anywhere along the coast where the soil is suitable, as well
as at many inland places. All the species produce very fine fruits, that vary
somewhat in shape, in the roughness of the skin, and in size. The sour sop is
the largest, and attains a size of 6 to 8 Ib. The fruit is covered with soft
spines, and is of an irregular oval, or even pyriform, shape. It ripens very
soon after it is gathered, consequently cannot be sent any distance. It is a
pleasant fruit of an aromatic sub-acid flavour. The pulp surrounding the seeds
is of a woolly consistency, and this is surrounded by a custard-like mass which
is -much appreciated by those who have acquired a liking for it. It is a
comparatively uncommon fruit, and is confined to the tropics.

The sweet sop is the commonest of the Anonas, and is grown throughout a
considerable part of coastal Queensland. It is usually of an irregular roundish
shape, very full of seeds, which are surrounded by a custard-like pulp of very
pleasant flavour. It is usually a heavy bearer, and is the variety most
commonly met with in our fruit stores. The tree is hardy and is easily grown.

The bullock's heart is a stronger-growing variety than the previous one,
the fruit is larger, and, as its name implies, heart-shaped. It is also fairly
seedy, the pulp of a light-brown colour, and more gritty, and not, in my
opinion, of first-rate quality. It is most commonly grown in the North, where
it is a very hardy and prolific tree.

The cherimoya is the best of the custard apples. The tree is a strong
grower, with large handsome leaves, but, as a rule, it is not a very heavy
Nearer. There are many varieties, the fruit of which varies considerably in
«ize and shape, and the skin is sometimes smooth and sometimes warted, or

54:

FR VITS OF Q UEENSLA ND.

Passion Fruit, Redland Bay — Showing method of culture (1) and part of a vine in fruit (2).

FliUITS OF QUEE'XSLAXD.

55

even covered with short soft spines. It has usually comparatively few seeds,
and these are surrounded by a rich custard-like pulp, which in the better kinds
is of very fine flavour, and is generally much liked. The fruit is not a good
keeper, still, given careful handling and packing, it can be kept for nearly a
week. All custard apples are easily raised from seed, but the better varieties
are propagated by grafting strong seedlings with wood taken from a tree pro-
ducing fruit of especial merit. Any good fruit soil will grow them, and they do
not require any especial treatment.

Custard Apples, Brisbane District.

There are still a large number of tropical fruits that I have not mentioned,
but space will not permit of my giving them more than a passing notice, as
they are not of any great value from a commercial standpoint at present. Of
these fruits the litchi, whampee, averoha, longan, vi-apple, and Chinese mango-
steen are practically confined to the North. The guava, of which there are
many species, grows anywhere; in fact, it is a pest in many cases, taking
complete possession of the land. It is not cultivated to any great extent, as it
grows so readily without, and, further, it harbours several pests whose presence
it is desirable to remove from the orchard. It is a useful fruit for home con-
sumption, as it stews well, makes an excellent jam, and its jelly is one of the
best.

The rosella, a species of hibiscus, is an annual fruit that is grown to a
considerable extent in several parts of the State, and is used for pies, jams,
iind jellies. The latter is remarkably good, equal to that made from the red

56

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

Sour Sop, Mossman District.

currant of colder climes, and will no doubt become an article of export at no
very distant date. The fruit also dries well, and makes an excellent pickle.
It is raised from seed, the young seedlings being set out in well-prepared land

FRUITS OF QVEEXSLAyi). 57

when all danger of frost is past. It is a rapid grower, and forms a bush some
4 feet across by 4 or 5 feet high. It is a heavy bearer, and the fruit meets with
a ready sale. To do well, the plants require a warm, free, well-drained soil,
.as they do not thrive where there is any stagnant water at or near the roots.

The avocado or alligator pear is not grown to any extent, though it thrives
well, particularly to the north of the tropic of Capricorn, and can also be
grown successfully as far south as the New South Wales border. It is a fruit
that deserves to be cultivated to a much greater extent than it is at present,
and once it becomes better known I have no doubt that it will be planted in
considerable numbers, and prove a very welcome addition to our already long
list of fruits, as it is unequalled, in my opinion, as a salad. As far as my
experience goes, it is likely to become a profitable fruit to grow, as once
persons acquire a liking for it, they become very partial to it, and eat it
whenever they can get it.

In addition to purely tropical fruits a number of semi-tropical fruits are
grown on our eastern seaboard, but are not entirely confined thereto, as many
of them are cultivated to a considerable extent in some parts of our coastal
and inland tablelands, particularly in sheltered positions. Under the heading
of semi-tropical fruits, all kinds of citrus fruits, persimmons, loquats, date
palm, wine palm, pecan nut, Brazilian cherry, Natal plum, ki-apple, and many
other fruits are included, as well as several fruits that more properly belong to
the temperate regions, such as Japanese plums, Chickasaw plum, peaches of
Chinese origin, figs, mulberries of sorts, strawberries, cape gooseberries, <fec.
Of all of these the citrus fruits, which include the orange, mandarin, Seville,
lemon, lime, grape fruit, kumquat, citron, and pomelo are by far the most
important, and are grown successfully over a very large portion of the State,
so that we will consider them first.

CITRUS FRUIT.

Quite a number of fruits are included under this heading, and all reach a
very high state of perfection in this State. The whole of the family, the
lemon-shaped citron excepted, is noted for the beauty and symmetry of growth
that its trees -make, and I know of few more beautiful sights in the vegetable
world than a well-kept citrus grove in full bearing. Take the common round
orange as an example, its well-balanced and evenly grown head, its dark glossy
green foliage, its wealth of white blossoms, which perfume the whole neighbour-
hood, or its mass of golden fruit between its dark-green leaves, render it one
of the most beautiful of fruit trees at all times, but especially so when covered
with blossoms or ripe fruit. A typical Queensland grove is even more beautiful
than those of many other places, as the vigour and size of our trees, their
exceptionally healthy appearance, their dark foliage, and the heavy crop of
high-class fruit that they bear, are at once evident to a stranger who has never
seen the orange grown under such favourable conditions as are experienced
here. The yield is often so heavy that the trees actually bend to the ground

58

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

CQ

FRUITS OF QUEEXSLAXD. 59

•uith the weight of their fruit, and a stack of props has to be used to prevent
the tree from splitting into pieces. Those who have seen the enormous crops
of apples that are produced on some trees in Tasmania or the old cider orchards
of Devon or Somerset can form an idea of the crops; but the writer, who
has seen both, as well as our Queensland trees, has no hesitation in saying that
a Queensland mandarin can give points to either as a heavy cropper ; in fact,
if it has a fault, it is its proneness to overbear, particularly when young.
This all tends to prove how well adapted Queensland is to the growth of citrus
fruits, and were I asked to select a country particularly suited to their culture
I should have no hesitation in naming this State, as I know of nowhere where
their culture can be carried out with less trouble, or where the trees will
produce better fruit or heavier crops. Queensland may well be termed the
home of citrus fruits, as we have no less than three native species which are
indigenous to the State, and are by no means uncommon in our scrubs. Their
presence gives unmistakable proof of the suitability of this State for the
culture of fruits of the same family, so that I think a short description of these
native species may not be out of place, but will be of same interest to my
readers.

Citrus australis, the native orange or lime, is both the largest and most
common. It grows into a large tree, having a diameter of 15 to 18 inches in
the trunk, and a height of 60 feet or more. It produces a quantity of thick-
skinned acid fruit, of from 2 to 3 inches in diameter. The skin is full of a
resinous sap, and the fruit is of little value. It is a slow-growing tree, though,
as just mentioned, it attains a considerable size, is very hardy, and produces a
quantity of fruit. Its slow growth, when young, has prevented its use as a stock
on which to work improved varieties, but I have no doubt it would make a
very hardy stock that would be distinctly disease-resistant.

The second variety is Citrus australasica, the so-called finger lime, a
thorny bush, producing a fruit of from f to 1 inch in diameter, and 3 to 4
inches long. The fruit has a thin skin, and contains an agreeable acid pulp
that varies in colour, in some specimens being of a reddish tinge that resembles
the pulp of a blood orange. These two varieties are met with in the Southern
part of the State, but the third is a Northern species, to which Mr. F. M.
Bailey, our Colonial Botanist, has given the name of Citrus inodora, the
^N'orth Queensland lime. It is met with in the scrubs of the Russell River, and
is described by Mr. Bailey as bearing a greater resemblance to the cultivated
species than the two former varieties. It produces a fruit over 2 inches long
by 1J inches in diameter, having a thin rind and a juicy pulp of a sharply
acid flavour, so that even in its wild state it is a desirable fruit, and takes
the place of the cultivated lemon. Where native species flourish as they do
here, there is every probability of cultivated species thriving equally well, and
this is found to be the case in practice.

No fruits are more generally distributed or have a wider range in this
State than those of the Citrus family, as, with the exception of the colder parts
of the Downs, where the winter temperature is too low, the Gulf country, and

60

FRUIT 8 OF QUEENSLAND.

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Fit V ITS OF QVEEXSLAX]). 61

the dry Western districts, where there is no water available for irrigation,
they can be grown from one end of the State to the other, provided that they
are planted in suitable soil, and that, in the drier parts, there is an available
supply of suitable water with which to irrigate them during the prevalence of
long dry spells. The country adjoining the eastern seaboard, extending from
the Tweed River in the South to Cooktown in the North — a distance of about
1,100 miles, and extending inland for nearly 100 miles — is naturally suited to
the growth of citrus fruits, and there is probably no country in the world that
is better adapted to, or that can produce the various kinds of these fruits to
greater perfection or with less trouble, than this portion of Queensland. Of
course, the whole of this large area is not adapted for citrus culture, as it
contains many different kinds of soils, several of which are not suitable for
the growth of these fruits, and there is also a large extent of country which is
too broken and otherwise unsuitable. At the same time there are hundreds
of thousands of acres of land in this area in which the soil and natural
conditions are eminently suited to the growth of citrus fruit, and in which
the tenderest varieties of these fruits may be grown to perfection without
the slightest chance of their being injured by frost; and where the natural
rainfall is such that, provided the trees receive ordinary care and cultivation,
there is seldom any necessity for artificial irrigation. At the present time
there are hundreds of citrus trees growing practically wild in different parts
of the coastal country that are in vigorous health and producing heavy crops
of good fruit, even though they are uncultivated, unpruned, unmanured, and
have to hold their own against a vigorous growth of native and introduced
shrubs, trees, and weeds. When the orange, lime, citron, or common lemon
become established under conditions that are favourable for their proper
development, they apparently become as hardy as the indigenous plants, and
are able to hold their own against them, thus showing hoAv well the climate
and suitable soils of coastal Queensland are adapted for the cultivation of
citrus fruits. The commercial cultivation of citrus fruits is at present practi-
cally confined to this coastal area, the most important centres, starting from
the South, being Nerang, Coomera, Redland Bay, Brisbane. Enoggera, Gatton,
Grantham, Toowoomba, North Coast line from North Pine to Gympie including
the Blackall Range and Buderim Mountain; the Wide Bay district, including
Maryborough, Tiaro, Mount Bauple, Gayndah, Pialba, and Burrum; the
Burnett district, including Bundaberg and Mullet Creek; the Fitzroy district,
including Rockhampton and Yeppoon; Bowen, Cardwell, Murray River, Tully
River, Cairns and district, Port Douglas, and Cooktown. In addition to
these districts a few citrus fruits are grown at Mackay, Townsville, and several
other places. Citrus fruits are also grown further inland, but their cultivation
here is largely dependent on the ability to supply the trees with suitable
water for irrigation during dry spells. Frosts have also to be taken into
consideration, for, though the days are warm, the temperature often falls
considerably during the night, owing to the great radiation, and citrus-trees
in districts like Roma, Emerald, &c., are liable to injury thereby. West of
Emerald, at Bogantungan, Barcaldine, and other places, citrus fruits do very
well with irrigation. Some of the finest lemons, Washington Navel, and other

62

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

FRUITS OF QVEESSLAXD. 63

improved varieties of oranges are grown here to perfection, the lemons especi-
ally being of high quality, and curing down equal to the imported Italian or
Californian article. The soil in many of the inland districts is well suited
to the culture of citrus fruits, and when the trees are given the necessary
water, and are uninjured by frost, they produce excellent fruit. I stated, some
short distance back, that there is probably no country in the world that is
better adapted to the cultivation of or that can produce the various kinds of
citrus fruits to greater perfection or with less trouble than the eastern seaboard
of Queensland. To many of my readers this may seem to be a very broad
statement; but I am certain that, if suitable trees are planted in the right
soil and under favourable conditions, and are given anything like the same
care and attention that is devoted to the culture of citrus fruits in the great
producing centres for these fruits in other parts of the world, we have
nothing to fear either as regards the cost of production or the quality of the
fruit produced. In order to exemplify this, it may be interesting to compare
our capabilities with those of the principal citrus-producing districts north of
the equator. To begin with, I will take Florida, which more nearly approaches
our climatic conditions than any other citrus-growing country that I know of,
and which is noted for the excellence of its citrus fruit, and we find that we
have all its advantages except that of proximity to the world's markets, with-
out its disadvantages. We have a better and richer soil, requiring far less
expensive artificial fertilisers to maintain its fertility, and at a very much lower
price. We can grow equally as good fruit; in fact, it is questionable if Florida
ever produced a citrus fruit equal in quality to the Beauty of Glen Retreat
Mandarin, a Queensland production. We get as heavy, if not heavier, crops,
and our trees come into bearing very early. We have no freeze-outs similar to
those which have crippled the industry in Florida so severely in the past that
many of their wealthy growers are actually covering in whole orchards of many
acres in extent as a protection from frost. This covering-in is accomplished
by means of a framework of timber having slat-work or panel sides and tops
—in fact, by enclosing their orchards in a huge elaborate bush-house, which
is further protected by the heat produced by six large heating stoves or sala-
manders to each acre of trees enclosed. If it pays the Florida growers to
go to all this expense in order to prevent freeze-outs and to produce first-class
fruit, surely we can compete with them when a seed stuck in the right soil
under favourable conditions will produce a strong, vigorous, healthy tree,
bearing good crops without any attention whatever.

In comparing Queensland with the citrus-producing districts of Southern
Europe, we have the advantage of better and cheaper land, absence of frost,
more vigorous growth, earlier maturity of the trees, and superior fruit; but
with the advantage of cheaper and more skilful labour, especially in the
handling and marketing of fruit, and proximity to the world's markets in
their favour.

As compared with California, our soil is no better than theirs, but it costs
much less, and their citrus industry is dependent on artificial irrigation, their
natural rainfall being altogether inadequate for the growth of citrus fruits.

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

Orange Trophy in the Moreton District Exhibit at the Brisbane Exhibition.

Calif ornian conditions more nearly approach those of our inland districts, such
as Barcaldine, with the exception that the only rainfall in California is during
the winter, whereas in Barcaldine and similar districts the heaviest fall is
during the summer months, but, in both, the successful culture of these fruits
depends on irrigation.

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

65

Bunch of Valencia late Oranges, Blackall Range District.

In Jaffa, also, where the oranges are of large size and extra quality, the
trees have to be carefully irrigated and -manured, as these operations are found
to be essential to the production of marketable fruit.

These few instances show how favourably the conditions prevailing in
Queensland compare with those of the great citrus-growing districts of Europe
and America, especially in the matter of soil and climate, and I feel confident

66

FRUIT 'S OF QUEENSLAND.

Washington Navel Oranges, Barcaldine District, Central Line.

that, if the industry were taken up in the same business-like manner that it ha&
been done in California and Florida, we could easily hold our own against
any part of the world. In comparing Queensland with the rest of the world)
we have the advantage — also shared by New South Wales and South Africa — -
of ripening our fruit at a time of the year which is the off season in the citrus-
producing countries to the north of the equator, so that our fruit does not
clash with theirs, their ripening period and ours being at different times of
the year. As regards our Australian market, our fruit ripening earlier than*

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND. 67

that of the Southern States, we are enabled to dispose of a considerable portion
of our crop in the Southern markets before the local fruit is ready for gather-
ing. This gives us three markets— first, a local one ; secondly, a Southern one ;
and, finally, when this demand is supplied, an oversea market to Europe,
America, and the East.

When grown under favourable conditions, citrus-trees are heavy bearers
in this State, it being no uncommon thing to meet with seedling or worked
orange-trees of from ten to twelve years of age producing- over twenty cases
of marketable fruit to the tree, averaging about 10 dozen medium-sized fruit.

Citrus-trees of all kinds, particularly worked trees, come into bearing very
early, and the returns obtained from an orchard rapidly increase. The illus-
trations give a good idea of the rapid growth, and a fair one of the crop of
fruit the young trees are bearing, but the following examples, taken at random
for the crop that was marketed in January, 1906, will show better how our
trees bear: —

Mr. A., Blackall Range, marketed 7J cases per tree from a row of twenty-
five Beauty of Glen Retreat Mandarins, planted April, 1900. A return of
£1 10s. per tree.

Mr. B., from the same district, averaged 7 cases of Washington Navel
Oranges per tree from trees six years old, which realised £1 15s. per tree,
and 8 cases of Beauty of Glen Retreat Mandarins from trees of the same age.
The navels were large, and averaged 5 dozen per case, and the mandarins 10
dozen per case.

Mr. C., another district, averaged 6 cases of Valencia Late Oranges, from
trees six years planted, and 10 cases per tree from Emperor Mandarins, nine
years old.

One twelve years old orange-tree in this district produced over 25 cases of
fruit.

Mr. D., same district as last; Washington Navels averaged 10 cases per
tree, ten years planted, and have borne regular crops since three years old..

Numerous other cases might be given, but the above are sufficient to shovr
the earliness at which our trees bear, and the crops they yield. Trees in full
"bearing often yield up to 40 cases, but these are usually old seedlings, which
bear a very heavy crop one year and a comparatively light crop the next. All
the instances I have quoted are from worked trees, which are found to give the
most regular and constant yields. Until quite recently, citrus-trees were almost
entirely grown from seed in this State, with the result that we have a very
large number of types, and many crosses between different species. This was
not advisable, as a uniformity in type is desirable for marketing, hence the
greater number of trees now being planted are of selected varieties of proved
merit. Many of the seedlings have produced most excellent fruit, but a seedling

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

Spray of Orange Blossom.

has usually the disadvantage of being very full of seeds, and having a lot of
rag (the indigestible fibre round the pulp) as compared with the worked
varieties, which have either no seeds or very few seeds and little rag. Seedlings
are also of many types, and they produce a lot of small fruit, thereby making
an uneven sample, whereas worked trees produce fruit even in size and quality.
Seedlings are probably the hardiest, and will stand the most neglect, but
experience is showing that worked trees are the most profitable to grow. The
growth of all kinds of citrus-trees from seed is a very simple matter, all that is

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND. 69

necessary being a well-prepared seed bed of friable soil that is partially shaded
from the heat of the sun, so as to protect the young plants. Selected, fully ripe
fruit from well-grown, prolific, healthy trees is taken, and the seeds sown in
rows in the seed bed, or broadcast when weeds are not likely to be any trouble.
Fresh seed germinates quickly, and the young plants are soon ready to be
transplanted into the nursery bed, where they are either worked over or allowed
to remain seedlings. At twelve months old, from seed, a tree will have a stem-
diameter of about f-inch, and a height of 3 to 4 feet, a growth about twice
that made in the Southern States.

The general remarks I have given respecting our fruit soils apply with
equal force to those best adapted for citrus culture — viz., they must possess
perfect drainage, and be of a friable nature. We are growing most of the best
varieties of citrus fruit, the original trees from' which they are now being
propagated having been introduced into the State from the most celebrated
citrus-producing districts in the world, and, as stated and shown by the
accompanying illustrations, they are all doing well.

The Washington Navel, the variety of orange most commonly grown in
California, does remarkably well on our rich volcanic scrub soils, where it has
proved itself a regular bearer of high-class fruit. The Mediterranean Sweet
Orange, Valencia Late, and Jaffa also do well in many parts, the Valencia Late
adapting itself to most districts. Many other kinds of oranges are grown, but
the varieties mentioned are some of the best, and are the ones now being
planted in the greatest quantity.

In mandarins, all kinds do remarkably well, and I never saw this fruit
produced to greater perfection in any part of the world than it is in Queens-
land. The varieties most commonly grown are: The Emperor or Canton, the
Scarlet or Scarlet Emperor, Thorny or Tangerine, and Beauty of Glen Retreat r
though there are many types of seedlings in addition to these well-known sorts.
The grape fruit which is now so popular in America does well, but, so far,
has not taken on in our markets. Citrons grow practically wild, and produce
good fruit, for which there is a limited demand for peel. Their cultivation
could be extended with ease were there a better demand for peel. The Seville
Orange, which is used for the manufacture of marmalade, is an exceptionally
hardy and prolific tree, and, were it required, we could easily grow enough of
this fruit to supply the world. Lemons do best inland, or at an elevation of
some 2,000 feet .-ibove sea-level, as this fruit is apt to become too coarse in the
skin when grown "in a humid climate. In suitable localities very good fruit can
be grown, which compares very favourably with the European or American
grown fruit.

The lime does well in the more humid districts, taking the place of the
lemon, and one variety — the Tahiti — has proved itself to be a heavy and
regular bearer. The West Indian lime, from which the lime juice of commerce
is made, is very easily grown, particularly in the more tropical parts, where

70

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

o

e

FRUITS OF QUEFXSLAXD. 71

it is often met with growing in an entirely uncultivated condition, and bearing
heavy crops of fruit. Kumquats are easily grown, and are heavy bearers, aiu1
all the different types of pomelos or shaddocks do well. Seedlings of the
latter are very hardy, as they are deep-rooted plants that stand dry weather
well and are, consequently, not liable to injury during dry spells. There is
very little demand for the fruit, but I am of opinion that the seedlings will
prove to be of value as stocks on which to work our best kinds of oranges.

The culture of all kinds of citrus fruits, when grown in suitable soil, is
by no means difficult, as it consists mainly of keeping the land well stirred
and keeping down all weed growth during dry spells, the keeping of the trees
well pruned out in the centre, and the keeping in check of all diseases, both
insect and fungus. Although citrus fruits are subject to many pests, they are
for the most part easily kept in check by either spraying or cyaniding, or
both, provided that reasonable care is taken, and the pests are destroyed before
they have obtained control. Taken as a whole, our citrus fruits are remarkably
clean, and compare more than favourably with those grown in the Southern
States. The culture of these fruits is extending rapidly, with a corresponding
increase in production, but, despite this, our prices have been better during the
past season than for some years, as the quality of our fruit is such that it will
command a good market. When properly handled, it has good keeping
qualities, and I have no doubt that we will, in time, be able to supply the
markets of the Old and New Worlds with good fruit, in the best of condition,
at the time of the year that their markets are bare of locally-grown citrus fruit.

There is a good opening for the growth of citrus fruits in this State, as
the writer knows of no country where they do better, where they can be
produced with as little trouble and expense, where they can be successfully
grown over such a large area, or where the soil and climate is more suited to
the production of fruits of the highest quality as in Queensland.

THE PERSIMMON.

This exceedingly handsome fruit of Japanese origin is grown to a high
state of perfection in this State, particularly in the coastal districts south of
the tropic of Capricorn. It is a fruit of comparatively recent introduction, the
oldest trees being less than thirty years of age, but has already become widely
distributed, as well as a favourite fruit amongst many. It is a very showy
fruit when well grown, but must be thoroughly ripe before it is eaten, as, if
not, it is extremely astringent, and anyone who has tackled an unripe fruit
has no wish to repeat the experience in a hurry. There are many varieties
of this fruit, some of which are seedless, and others more or less seedy. The
seedless kinds are usually preferred, as, as well as being seedless, they are the
largest and handsomest fruit. The different kinds vary considerably in the
size of tree, habit of growth, foliage, size and colour of fruit, &c. All are
easily grown, and most kinds are good and regular bearers. They do well on

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND,

Persimmons.

any fruit soil, and some of the dwarf-growing kinds are well adapted for
growing in private gardens, on account of the small amount of room they take
up. The trees are deciduous, and, as a rule, are not much troubled with pests.
So far, the use of the fruit is confined to its consumption fresh, though in
Japan it is dried in a similar manner to apricots or peaches.

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

73

THE LOQUAT.

A handsome evergreen tree, that can be grown in the more Southerly
coast districts, in the foothills of the coast range, and on the coast tablelands.
There are several types of the fruit, whose chief value consists in that it ripens

Fruit of Loquat (\ natural size).

its fruit in early spring, when there is a shortage of stone fruits, and that it
withstands wind well, so makes a good break for the protection of exposed
orchards. Its cultivation is not extensive, nor is it likely to become so.

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

Date Palms in fruit at Barcaliine

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND. 75

THE DATE PALM.

Although this extremely valuable fruit is grown in this State more as an
ornament than for its commercial value, there is nothing to prevent its culture
on a scale sufficiently large to supply the Australian requirements. It is grown
in many places along the coast, as well as in the foothills country of the coastal
range, but it does best in situations that more nearly resemble its natural
habitat — viz., in districts having a hot dry air, a deep sandy loam or sandy
soil, and a good supply of moisture in the soil. This latter condition does not
occur naturally, but can be supplied artificially in our Western lands, where
there is a good supply of artesian water of a quality suitable to the plants'
requirements. Here the date palm thrives, and produces huge bunches of
fruit. Little, if any, cultivation is necessary when once the palm is firmly
established; provided it has an ample but not excessive supply of moisture,
it is able to take care of itself.

The date palm is a dioecious plant — that is to say, the male organs, or
stamens, are produced on one plant, and the female organs, or pistils, on
another, and this necessitates the growing of the two sexes in proximity to
each other, in order that the female flowers may be fertilised and produce
perfect fruit. This is best accomplished artificially, the pollen from a fully
developed bunch of male flowers being shaken over the bunch of female
flowers. Infertile fruit contains no seeds, and is of small size and inferior
quality, whereas the fertile fruit is both large and good.

The date palm is a handsome ornamental plant, and in the hot and dry
Western districts, where it thrives best, it forms a splendid shelter from the
sun for both man and beast. So far, veiy little attention has been given to its
growth, few persons knowing how to fertilise the flowers or even taking the
trouble to see that they have plants of both sexes. There is no reason why this
should be so, as there would be a good local demand for the properly-cured
fruit, and I believe that, were its culture carried out in a thorough business
manner, it would become a profitable industry, and one capable of supplying
our Australian market.

THE PECAN NUT.

Another little-known fruit which does well in this State. It belongs to
the hickory family, and closely resembles the walnut. There are trees now
growing in the Maryborough district that are some 15 inches in diameter at
the trunk, and from 40 to 50 feet in height, that bear regular and heavy crops
of nuts, and that have stood drought and been under flood. For years the
trees have received no cultivation, and they have shown themselves to be as
hardy as the adjacent indigenous trees. The trees are easily raised from seed,
and come into bearing in about eight years. Like all nut fruits, it is advisable
to set the nut where the tree is to remain permanently, if it is possible to do
so, as it produces a very deep taproot, with few laterals, and is consequently
difficult to shift. The soil on which it does best is an alluvial loam, and, if

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

Date Fruit (natural size).

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND. 77

possible, it should not be more than 30 feet to water, as the tree, being a very
deep rooter, will penetrate a free soil to that depth. It will do on other free
loamy soils, but will not make the same growth as when planted in free
alluvials. It has been tested in several parts of the State, and it is probable
that it will be found to thrive over a considerable area of the coastal and
coastal tablelands districts. It produces an olive or acorn shaped nut, having a
thin shell, and of a flavour closely resembling that of a good walnut, and will
be a valuable addition to our list of nut fruits once it becomes better known.

JAPANESE PLUMS.

All varieties of this fruit thrive well and bear heavily in the more Southerly
part of our coast country, as well as on the country immediately adjacent to
it, the coastal tablelands, and several other parts of the State. The trees are
rapid growers, come into bearing very early, and often bear enormous crops of
fruit. They are good fruits for home consumption or for the fresh-fruit trade,
but are not equal to European varieties of plums for preserving, drying, or
jam-making. In this State they have one very great drawback, and that is
their liability to the attack of the fruit fly, a pest that very frequently destroys
the entire crop. For home use they are, however, a very useful fruit to grow,
provided that the trees are kept dwarf, so that they can be covered with a
cheap mosquito netting as a protection from the fly, as they are very easily
grown, are by no means particular as to the kind of soil on which planted, and
xi re heavy bearers.

CHICKASAW PLUMS.

This family of American plums does well in the same districts as the
Japanese varieties just dealt with, but has the advantage of being resistant
to the fruit fly. The trees are usually more or less straggling growers, the
fruit is of small size, but good for cooking or jam-making. One or more of
the varieties of this plum are bad setters, though they blossom profusely, but
this may be overcome either by working two varieties which bloom at the same
time on to the same stock, or by planting varieties that bloom at the same
time together, as the pollen from the one will set the fruit of the other. It
is a good plum for home use or marketing, despite its small size, as it is
easily grown, requires little attention, and is not over particular as to soil.

CHINESE PEACHES.

Peaches of Chinese origin thrive well on the coast, and are extremely
hardy. The fruit is not, as a rule, of high quality when compared with that
of the Persian varieties, but their earliness and ease with which they can be
crrown causes them to be planted by many who have small gardens. Like the
Japanese plums they are, however, very subject to the attack of fruit fly, and
require to be kept dwarf and covered in a similar manner if any good is to
be got from them. On the coast, they are practically evergreen, as they never

78

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

lose their leaves entirely, and are in blossom during the winter. When grown
on the tablelands, this early blossoming is a disadvantage, as the blossoms are
liable to be injured by frost, but in these districts peaches of Persian origin
can be grown instead.

F SUITS OF QUEENSLAND. 79

FIGS.

Several kinds of figs can be grown successfully in the Southern coast
districts, the first crop ripening before Christmas, but the second or main crop
is often a failure, owing to the fact that it ripens during our wet season, and
the fruit consequently sours and bursts. As one recedes from the coast, the
fruit does better, and is less liable to injury from excessive wet. The coastal
tablelands and the more Western Downs grow it well, and the trees, when
planted on soil of a rich friable nature, grow to a large size and bear heavily.
Many varieties are grown, which are used fresh or converted into jam, but no
attempt has been made to dry them, though it is possible that this industry
may eventually be found profitable in the drier parts of the State, where there
is water available for the trees' use at certain periods of the year, but not
during the fruiting period, as it cannot well be too dry then if a good quality of
dried figs is to be turned out. This fruit is easily grown, and is not at all
subject to serious pests, so that anyone who will take reasonable care can pro-
duce all that is required for home use or local sale, as its softness renders it a
difficult fruit to ship long distances in a hot climate.

THE MULBERRY.

This is one of the hardiest fruits we have, one of the most rapid growers,
and one of the most prolific. There are several varieties in cultivation, and
those of Japanese or Chinese origin will grow from the coast to the interior,
and thrive either in an extremely dry or humid climate. The common English
or black mulberry does not do too well as a rule, though there are many fine
trees scattered throughout the State, but the other sorts are as hardy as native
trees. The fruit is not of any great value, still, as it is so easily grown, it
finds a place in most gardens, and in time of drought the leaves and young
branches are readily eaten by all kinds of stock, so that it is a good standby
for stock as well as a fruit.

THE STRAWBERRY.

To those who have been accustomed to look upon the strawberry as a
fruit of the purely temperate regions, it will be somewhat of a revelation to
know that exceptionally fine fruit can be grown right on the Queensland
mast, and well within the tropics, and that on the coast, between the 26th to
the 28th degrees of south latitude, we are probably producing as fine fruit and
obtaining as heavy crops as are produced in any of the older strawberry-growing
countries. Not only this, but that we are able to supply the Southern markets
of Australia with finer fruit than they can produce locally, and at a time of the
year that they cannot grow it. As I have already mentioned when dealing
with other fruits, one thing that particularly impresses strangers is the early
age at which our fruits come into bearing. This is borne out in the case of
the strawberry to a marked degree, as runners set in April fruit in July, and
often earlier, and will continue to bear, given reasonable weather, right up to

80

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

Marguerite Strawberry.

Marguerite Strawberiy packed for market.

Christmas or even longer. New plants are set out every year, and the planta-
tion is seldom allowed to stand more than two years, as the young plants
produce the finest fruit. There is a good demand for the fruit, the larger
berries being packed in flat cases holding a single layer of fruit, as shown in
the illustration, and being sold for consumption fresh, whereas the smaller
berries are packed in kegs and sent direct to the factories for conversion into-
jam. The strawberry grows well on various soils, but does best with us on a

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

81

rich loam of medium texture, of a reddish-brown or even black colour. It
should be planted in districts that are free from frosts where early fruit is
desired, as frosts injure the blossoms, but where jam fruit only is wanted this
is not so necessary. The land requires to be thoroughly well prepared, and the

82 FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

plants are usually set out in rows about 2 feet apart, with the plants about
1 foot apart in the row. Under favourable conditions they grow very rapidly,
and soon start flowering. Their cultivation is usually confined to comparatively
small areas of 2 or 3 acres in extent, as the labour of picking and packing
is usually done by the grower himself with the assistance of his family. They
are often planted between the rows of trees in young orchards, thus bringing
in a return whilst the trees are coming into bearing, and helping to keep the
pot boiling. They grow well on our coastal scrub lands, and have proved
a great assistance to many a beginner, as one has not long to wait before
obtaining a. return.

The productiveness of this fruit in Queensland is phenomenal, as high as
5 tons of berries having been taken off 1 acre in a single season. There are
many varieties of strawberries in cultivation, some of which have been produced
locally from seed, and have turned out extremely well, being of better flavour,
stronger growers, and heavier bearers than introduced varieties — in fact, local
seedlings have adapted themselves to local conditions, and stand our climate
better than those varieties which are natives of colder countries.

The case berries, which are used for fresh consumption, fetch a fair price,
especially early in the season, but jam fruit sells at an average of 2jd. per lb.,
at which price it pays fair wages, but is not a bonanza. As a rule the plants
are very healthy, and any fungus pests to which they are subject, such as
leaf blight, are easily kept in check by spraying, a knapsack pump being used
for this purpose. The ground is kept well worked and free from weeds, whilst
the plants are fruiting, and occasionally the ground is mulched, as is the case
in the plot shown in the illustration. No special knowledge is necessary for
their culture, but, at the same time, thorough cultivation and careful attention
to details in the growing of the plants make a considerable difference in the
total returns.

CAPE GOOSEBERRY.

This Peruvian fruit, introduced into this State via the Cape of Good Hope,
hence its name, has now spread throughout the greater part of the tropical
and semi-tropical portions of Queensland. Its spread has largely been brought
about by the agency of fruit-eating birds, that have distributed the seeds
widely by means of their castings. It is one of the first plants to make its
appearance in newly burnt-off scrub land, and often comes up in such numbers
as to give a full crop of fruit. In other cases it is usual to scatter a quantity
of seed on such land, so as to be sure of securing a plant. No cultivation is
rdven ; the plant grows into a straggling bush bearing a quantity of fruit which
is enclosed in a parchment-like husk. The fruit is gathered, husked, and is
then ready for market. The bulk of the fruit is grown in this manner, and
as it can be grown on land that is not yet ready for any other crop (grass or
maize excepted) it is a great help to the beginner, as a good crop and fair
prices can usually be obtained. The name " gooseberry " is somewhat mis-
leading, as it is not a gooseberry at all, is not like it, nor does it belong to the
same natural order. It is a plant belonging to the order Sblanacese, which

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND. 83

includes such well-known plants as the potato, tomato, tobacco, &c., and
altogether unlike the common gooseberry, which, by the way, is one of the
fruits that we cannot do much with. In addition to being grown in the wild
manner I have described, it is occasionally cultivated in a systematic manner,
somewhat like the tomato, but not to any extent ; growers preferring to depend
on it as a first return from newly fallen and burnt-off scrub land. As a fruit
it meets with a very ready sale, as it is one of the best cooking fruits grown ;
plainly stewed and served with cream, made into puddings or pies, or converted
into jam, it is hard to beat. The jam has a distinct flavour of its own, one that
one soon becomes very partial to, besides which it is an attractive-looking jam
that, were it better known in the world's markets, would, I feel sure, meet with
a ready sale at satisfactory rates. The plant is somewhat susceptible to cold,
hence it does best in a district free from frost, but it is not killed out by light
frosts, only killed back, and its crop put back. Like all plants belonging to
the same natural order, it likes a good soil, rich in available potash, and this is
probably the reason why it does so well on newly burnt-off scrub, the ashes of
which provide an ample supply of available potash.

THE OLIVE.

A much-neglected fruit in this State, as it is also in most English-speaking
countries. Few English people are fond of either the fruit or the oil, and yet
it is probable that there is no tree that for the space it occupies will produce
a greater annual return of food than the olive. A number of trees are scattered
throughout the State, some of which are now of large size and fair age, but,
so far, practically nothing beyond making a few gallons of oil and pickling a
few gallons of fruit has been attempted, and this only in a purely experimental
manner.

The present condition of the olive industry is destined to have a wakening
up ere long, as a country that can produce this fruit in such quantities and of
such a quality as the lighter soils of the Darling Downs is destined some day
to be one of the largest producers of olives on earth. Some years since I
planted a number of the best varieties of olives — trees obtained direct from
California — on the Darling Downs, in land that I considered suitable for their
growth, and which was properly prepared prior to planting. The trees here
have made a really phenomenal growth, they came into bearing within three
years of planting, and have borne steadily ever since. They have proved
enormous bearers, and an experimental crushing showed that the oil was of
high quality.

There are large areas of similar country to that in which they are planted
in different parts of the State, and I feel certain that this really valuable food
fruit is bound some day to be a considerable source of our national wealth.
So far, the drawback to the growth of olives has been the cost of gathering the
fruit and the limited demand for the oil or pickled fruit, but, against this, it
has many advantages, one, and by no means the least, of which is its value as
a shade and shelter tree on our open treeless plains. It is also a very hardy

34 FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

tree, withstanding drought well, and thriving in land that is too stony for the
cultivation of ordinary farm crops. It is a healthy tree, free from most fruit
pests other than the olive scale, which can be kept in check by spraying or
cyaniding; and last, but not least, it is an ornamental tree whose wood is of
considerable value. The olive does best with us in loamy soils of fair depth
and basaltic origin, that are moderately rich in lime and potash, and have a
fair drainage. A subsoil of decomposed rock answers well. It will, however,
•do on several other kinds of soil, but it is in the type that I have just described
that it does so well, and in which I would recommend its culture on a large
scale. It will stand a fair amount of frost as well as great heat, and I have
never seen the trees injured by either on our Downs country. I have also seen
trees doing well right on the coast, where they have been subject to heavy
rainfalls, so that it appears to adapt itself to the conditions prevailing in -many
parts of our State.

In addition to the fruits I have briefly described, there are several others
of minor importance that can be grown successfully, but, as they are not of
any great value commercially, I will leave them out, and go on to the fruits of
our more temperate districts, as, in addition to growing the tropical and semi-
tropical fruits which I have already dealt with, Queensland can also produce
temperate climate fruits to a very high degree of perfection.

The fruits of the temperate regions that we are able to grow include the
apple, pear, plum, prune, quince, apricot, Persian peach, nectarine, almond,
walnut, chestnut, cherry, &c., as well as some of the hardier fruits which I have
classed as semi-tropical — viz., the Japanese plum, persimmon, Chickasaw plum,
strawberry, &c. The districts adapted for the growth of the distinctly tem-
perate fruits are mostly situated in the Southern portion of the State, and ac
an elevation of from 2,000 to 3,000 feet a,bove sea-level — districts having a
warm summer but a comparatively cold winter, during which frosts are by no
means uncommon, but where snow rarely falls ; a healthy climate, with warm
days and cool nights, to which many visitors go during the heat of summer,
when the humidity of the coast is somewhat trying to persons not naturally
robust. The Downs country, particularly its southern or Stanthorpe end, is the
most suitable ; the soil is mainly of granitic origin, and is very suitable for the
growth of apples, stone fruit, and grapes, but the latter I will deal with by
themselves later on. The country is by no means rich from an agricultural
standpoint, and is considerably broken, but, as already stated, it is admirably
adapted for the growth of fruit, and within the last ten years at least 100,000
fruit trees, mostly apples, plums, and peaches, have been planted out and are
doing well. The Stanthorpe show, which is held annually during the month of
February, is always noted for the excellence of its fruit exhibits, which would
be hard to beat, both for size, quality, and appearance. The fruits ripen earlier
than similar varieties grown in the Southern States, hence supply our markets
at a time when there is little outside competition, and, consequently, meet with
a ready sale at fair prices. The fruit grown in the largest quantity is the
apple, so I will deal with it first.

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

85

THE APPLE.

As a description of this well-known and universally used fruit is entirely
superfluous, I will confine my remarks to the types of fruit grown, and their
method of growth. Owing to the fact that our fruits ripen much earlier than

r,*.

&%& * -- fiw-

Prince of Pippins Apple, Darling Downs District.

36 FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

similar varieties in more southern parts of Australia, we have gone in largely
for early varieties of apples, both for cooking and table use, but have not con-
fined our attention to them entirely, as good-keeping sorts are found to do
equally well, and have been shown at the annual exhibition that is held in
Brisbane during August, in perfect condition, showing that the fruit has good
keeping qualities. The soil on which the apple is mostly grown is largely
composed of granitic matter, and is of a sharp, sandy, loamy nature, often of
a gritty character. It is usually rich in potash, the predominating felspar being
orthoclase, but somewhat deficient in nitrogen and phosphoric acid. It is
usually easy to work, of fair depth, and retains moisture well when kept in a
thorough state of tilth. The trees are usually planted at from 20 to 25 feet
apart each way, when they are either one year or two years old from the graft
or bud. They are headed low, so as to shade the ground from the heat of the
sun, and also so as to facilitate the handling of the crop when grown, as well
as to prevent their swaying about with the wind. The trees make a rapid
growth, come into bearing very early, often bearing a fair crop three years
after planting, and fruiting even earlier. The fruit of the early varieties has
usually a handsome appearance, but lacks keeping qualities, but the later fruits
.are both handsome, high-coloured fruit, and good keepers. The trees are not
very liable to disease, as, thanks to all varieties being worked on blight-
resistant stocks, there is very little American blight (woolly aphis). Scale
insects do a certain amount of damage, but are easily kept in check by winter
spraying, and codling moth is not bad unless grossly neglected, many orchards
being quite free from this great pest of the apple-grower. So far, the growing
of apples has been confined entirely to the growing of fruit for the local
markets, no attempt having been -made to export same. A very small quantity
is dried, and a little is used for jelly.

Many varieties of apples have been tested in this State, but growers have
found out that it pays them best to confine their attention to comparatively
few sorts that have proved to be the best suited to the soil and climate, as a
few good kinds are much more profitable to grow than a mere collection of
varieties. Many varieties are prone to overbear, and trees of large size have
produced enormous crops of fruit, whereas young trees frequently break
down under the weight of their crop. The usual plan is to plant a few varieties
that ripen in succession, so as to extend the season over as long a period as
possible, and not to cause a glutted market at any one time. Early fruits parti-
cularly are not noted for their keeping qualities, and a market glutted with
such would entail a heavy loss to growers, hence a succession of varieties that
suit the district as well as the market is grown.

Nearly all kinds of apples do well, those that are resistant to the attack
of woolly aphis are, however, generally chosen in preference, even though they
may not be of the highest quality, as their prolificness and freedom from this
pest renders them more profitable than varieties of superior quality that are
liable to blight, and that are at the same time often somewhat indifferent
bearers. It is outside the scope of this paper to go into the question of
varieties, but I may mention that such sorts as Irish Peach, Gravenstein,

FRUITS OF QUEESSLAXD. 87

Summer Scarlet Pearmain, Twenty-ounces, Jonathan, Lord Suffield, Rome
Beauty, and Prince Bismarck do remarkably well, and many other well-known
kinds can be grown to perfection.

THE PEACH.

This king of the temperate fruits grows with us to perfection. The tree
is hardy, a rapid grower, comes into bearing early, and is, if anything, inclined
to over-bear. It can be grown over a considerable part of our coastal and
inland downs, as well as the Stanthorpe district, and thrives in many kinds
of soil, from light sandy loams of poor quality to rich loams of medium texture
or even heavier. In this State, the peach is always grown on peach roots,
the desired variety being either budded or grafted on to a seedling peach,
and the resulting tree is planted out when it has made one year's growth.
No tree is easier to grow, but if the best returns are desired, it requires very
careful pruning for the first three years, after which an annual winter pruning
is usually all that is necessary. The young tree is such a strong grower that
unless it is heavily cut back it becomes top-heavy and breaks to pieces with
the weight of fruit, but when hard cut back for the first two years, so that
it has a good main stem and strong primary branches, it will form a strong
tree, and stand up well under a heavy crop of fruit. The strong growth it
makes necessitates heavy pruning when large fruit is desired — and it is large
showv fruit which sells best here — as were the tree allowed to go unpruned, it
would bear enormous numbers of fruit, many of which would be of small size.
Growers now realise this, and many of our orchards are well pruned, whereas
a few years since the trees were allowed to grow pretty much as they like.

The peach remains profitable much longer here than it does in California,
as the trees do not wear out so quickly, the roots remaining sound up to the
last, so that, unless the top is too far gone, the life of the tree may usually be
•extended for several years by heading hard back and forming an entirely new
head to the tree. Trees in full bearing often produce fully 1,000 Ib. weight of
fruit in a single season. This is, of course, very much above the average, but
i.y n. i means exceptional. When in their third season, they should bear enough
to pay for all working expenses.

A very large number of varieties have been tested in Queensland, most
of which do well, but, as in the case of apples, we find from experience that it
is best to stick to a few kinds, and those that have proved to be most suitable
to our soil and climate, rather than to experiment with a large number of
varieties.

The usual plan is to plant a number of varieties that ripen in succession,
as with the apple, so as to spread the season over as long a time as possible,
and to stick to kinds that bear well, look well, and ship well, for appearance
will usually beat quality, and fetch more money.

So far, little has been done in the way of utilising the peach, as the
demand for the fresh fruit has been equal to our supply. There is, however,

88

FEU ITS OF QUEENSLAND,

FEU ITS OF QUEENSLAND. 89

no reason why we should not be able to establish and maintain a fair canning
and drying trade, should the production overcome the demand for the fresh
fruit, as our peaches are of large size, and will can and dry well — that is to say,
varieties adapted to those purposes will do so.

The nectarine, which is simply a smooth-skinned peach, does equally well,
many varieties bear heavily, and some produce fruit of exceptional merit. I
have seen as fine nectarines grown in the Stanthorpe district as I have met
with in any part of Australia or America, fruit of large size and the highest
flavour, that compared favourably with the finest hothouse-grown fruit of the
Old World.

THE PLUM.

As already mentioned, plums of Japanese and American origin (Chicka-
saw) do well in the more coastal districts. They also bear heavily on our
coastal downs and more western country, but some kinds of Japanese plums
blossom too early for the Stanthorpe district. European plums, however, do
well, and are heavy bearers. All kinds do not bear heavily, the freest bearers
being those of the damson family — White Magnum Bonum and Diamond
type. Prunes also do well. Plums of European origin do best in the coldest
districts, but their cultivation is not confined entirely to these, as some
varieties thrive well in warmer and drier parts of the country. So far, there
has been a ready sale for all the plums we can produce for fresh consumption,
excepting some of the smaller plums of the damson type, which have been
converted into jam. It is not a fruit, however, in which there is much money,
as it is too easily grown in the Southern States, and can there be converted
into jam or canned at a lower rate than we can do here, hence our cultivation
will be more or less confined to the growing of large fruits for supplying our
local markets rather than to the production of the fruit in quantity.

THE APRICOT.

Most varieties of this fruit do well on our coastal downs country in the
South, and to a certain extent further west. The trees are very rapid growers,
and bear heavily. The earlier ripening fruit usually escapes damage from
fruit fly, but the late fruit often suffers considerably.

The apricot does best in a fairly strong rich soil, when it makes a great
growth, and bears heavy crops of large-sized fruit. It also does well on sandier
soils, which produce a firmer and better-drying fruit. So far, although a
number of trees are planted throughout the State, the cultivation of the fruit
is mainly confined to the production of table fruit, drying or canning having
been carried out to a small extent only. The apricot grows to a large tree,
and lives to a good old age. Like the peach, it is a very vigorous grower when
young, requiring severe pruning in consequence, but, when once shaped, the
trees require little in the way of pruning other than the removal of superfluous
branches and an annual shortening in winter.

90

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

THE CHERRY.

Queensland is almost outside the limit of the successful growth of this
fruit, but not quite, as we produce the first fruit to ripen in Australia, which
realises a high price on account of its earliness. Many varieties have been
tested, but, so far, no one variety can be said to be a, complete success in our
climate, nor do the trees grow to the large size or produce as heavily as they
do in the Southern States, where the winters are more clearly defined than they

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND. 91

are in Queensland. Another drawback to the growth of this fruit is that the
soils of our coldest district are not the best of cherry soils. The cherry likes a
deep, moderately rich loam, whereas we are growing it mostly on sandy loams
of a granitic origin. What fruit we do grow is good, and pays well on account
of its earliness, but I do not consider that this State will ever be able to
compete with the South in the growth of the cherry.

THE PEAR.

Many kinds of pears do well, but, unfortunately, this fine fruit is very
liable to be attacked by fruit fly. It does well generally in the districts that
I have mentioned as suitable for the apple, plum, and apricot. The tree is
healthy, grows rapidly and to a large size. It comes into bearing remarkably
< arly as compared with the pear in colder climates, and produces excellent
fruit. I have grown as good Bartletts here as could be obtained anywhere,
and the trees have proved to be good bearers and doers. This fruit does best
on deep soils of a medium to strong loamy nature, and of good quality, though
it does well in much freer soils, but does not make as good a growth or bear
as heavily. It is usually grown on seedling-pear stocks, but the growing of
suitable varieties on quince stocks and keeping the resultant trees dwarfed
is to be recommended. This method of growing the pear does well here, and
dwarf trees can be easily protected from fly, whereas it is practically impossible
to deal with big trees, which the pear becomes when grown on pear roots.

THE ALMOND.

This fruit does well in parts of our coastal tableland country, though its
habit of blossoming too early in the season renders it very liable to injury
from late frosts. The trees do remarkably well, grow rapidly, and bear heavily
when the blossoms are uninjured by frost, hence it is a good tree to grow in
selected situations containing suitable soil, as it commands a ready sale, and
is very little troubled with pests. A free, sandy, loa-my soil is best suited to
the growth of the almond, and the situation should be well protected from
frost. The trees are usually worked on peach stocks, on which they make a
very rapid growth. Several varieties should be grown together, as a better set
of fruit will be obtained by doing so, most almonds requiring the pollen of
another variety flowering at the same time to render their flowers fertile. The
almond grows into a handsome, shapely tree, and, when in blossom, an orchard
is a sight not easily forgotten, the wealth of flowers being such that it must
be seen to be fully appreciated.

The walnut, chestnut, quince, blackberry, raspberry, and one or two other
fruits of the temperate regions are also cultivated to a small extent, but are
of no great value so far, though there is no reason why the walnut, which does
well with us, should not be cultivated to a much greater extent than it is, as
there is always a fair demand for the nuts. Blackberries of different kinds
have been introduced, and do well, the common English blackberry almost too

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

Tamarind Tree, Port Douglas District.

well, as unless kept in check it is apt to spread to such an extent as to be a
nuisance. In addition to the cultivated fruits I have briefly mentioned as
growing in Queensland, we have a number of native fruits growing in our
scrubs and elsewhere that are worthy of cultivation with a view to their ulti-
mate improvement. Of such are the Queensland nut, a handsome evergreen

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND. 93

tree, bearing heavy crops of a very fine flavoured nut. The nut is about j-inch
in diameter, but the shell is very hard and thick. It could no doubt be
improved by selection and careful breeding. The Davidsonian plum is also
another fruit of promise. It is a handsome tree of our tropical North coast,
and bears a large plum-shaped fruit of a dark purple colour, with dark reddish
purple flesh, which is extremely acid, but which is well worth cultivation.
Several species of eugenias also produce edible fruit, and there are two species
of wild raspberries common to our scrubs. There are the native citrus fruits
I referred to in an earlier part of this paper, as well as several other less well-
known fruits that are edible.

GRAPE CULTURE.

No work on fruit-growing in Queensland, however small, would be com-
plete without due reference being made to the vine, the last but by no means
the least important of our many fruits. Although the cultivation of this most
useful and popular fruit has not reached to anything like the dimensions that
vine culture has attained in the Southern States, particularly in the production
of wine, there is no reason why it should not do so at no very distant future.
We have many advantages not possessed by our Southern neighbours in the
culture of the grape, the first and most important of which is that our crop
ripens so much earlier than that of the South that we can secure the whole of
the early markets without fear of any serious opposition. Until quite recently,
grape culture was in a very backward state in Queensland, the grapes grown
on the coast being nearly all American varieties, which are by no means the
best wine or table sorts. A few grapes of European origin were grown on the
Downs and in the Roma district, but their cultivation was practically confined
thereto. Now, however, things have altered very much for the better. Many
good varieties of European grapes have been proved suitable to the coastal
climate of the Southern half of the State, and many inland districts other
than Roma and the Downs have also proved that they, too, can and do grow
first-class fruit both for table and wine.

Now the culture of the grape extends over a great part of the State, from
the coast to the interior ; in the latter, its successful growth depending on the
necessary suitable water for irrigation, and on the coast to our knowledge of
how to keep fungus pests, such as anthracnose, in check by winter treatment
and spring spraying.

In the Brisbane district many kinds of excellent table grapes are now
grown, which meet with a ready sale, such as the well-known Black Hamburgh
of English vineries, the Sweetwater, Snow's Muscat Hamburgh, Royal Ascot,
&c., as well as all the better kinds of American grapes, such as lona, Goethe,
Wilder, <fec. A little wine is made, but more attention is given to table fruit.

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

95

rt
O
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FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

Q

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND. 97

In the Maryborough, Gympie, and Bundaberg districts, similar grapes are
also grown, and do well, ripening somewhat earlier than they do in Brisbane ;
and in the Rockhampton district, right on the tropic of Capricorn, some of the
best table grapes I have seen in the State are produced. Further north a few
grapes are grown, but not in any great quantities, and I consider that the
profitable cultivation of good table grapes on the coast extends from our
Southern border to a short distance north of the tropic of Capricorn and
inland to all districts where there is either a sufficient rainfall or a supply of
water from artesian bores, or otherwise, to enable them to be grown. Grapes
here, as in other parts of the world, like moderately rich, free, loamy soils of
good depth, free sandy loams, and free alluvial loams. In such soils they make
a vigorous growth, and are heavy bearers. The granitic soils of the Stanthorpe
district, that produce such good peaches, plums, and apples, grow excellent
grapes, which ripen late. They are of large size, and conspicuous for their fine
colour. The sandy soils of Roma and the Maranoa country generally grow
excellent wine and table grapes, the latter being of large size, full flavour, and
handsome appearance. Wine grapes also do well here, and some excellent
wine has been made, both dark and light, natural and fortified. I have no
doubt that eventually good rich port and the best of sherries will be produced
in this district, as the soil and climate are admirably adapted to the production
of these classes of wine. Our difficulty, so far, has been to find out the exact
kinds of grapes to grow for this purpose, but now I am glad to say that we are
on the right track, and the excellence of Queensland ports and sherries will be
a recognised thing before many years are past. There is a big and good
opening for up-to-date viticulturists in this State. We have any amount of
suitable land at low rates, and, thanks to the generous sun heat of our interior,
we can grow grapes capable of producing wines equal to the best that can be
turned out by Spain, Portugal, or Madeira. In those districts that do not
possess such an extreme climate, such as the coastal downs and the Stanthorpe
districts, good wines of a lighter character can be produced, and, as already
stated, good wines are now being made on the coast.

It is only now that we are beginning to realise the value of the grape to
Queensland, as, until our production increased to such an extent that our local
markets were being over-supplied, our growers made no attempt to supply
outside markets. Now this is being done, and better means of handling and
packing the fruit, so as to enable it to be shipped long distances, are now
coming into vogue. With improved methods of handling and packing, we have
a greatly extended market, in which we will have no local competition, hence
will be able to secure good returns, so much so that I consider that grape-
growing in Queensland has a very promising outlook for some years to come
at any rate. In addition to growing grapes to supply the fresh-fruit trade and
for winemaking, our western country is capable of producing good raisins and
sultanas. So far, this industry has not been entered into commercially, the
fresh fruit realising far too high a price for it to pay to convert it into raisins.
Still, with increased production, this Avill have to take place, and when it
does I am of opinion that we will be able to turn out a very saleable article.

4 .

93

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

Madresfield Court Grape

PJfUtTS OF

09

Black Mammoth Grape.

The growing of grapes here certainly requires considerable experience of a
practical nature. This is not at all hard to obtain, and there are no insur-
mountable difficulties to the beginner, once he has learnt how to work his land
so as to cause it to retain moisture during a dry spell, and to plant and prune
his vines. These are matters in which any beginner can obtain practical advice
from the Queensland Agricultural Department, as the Government of Queens-

100

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND.

Cinsaut Grape.

land, recognising the importance of fruit-growing, grape-growing, and general
agriculture to the State, have devoted considerable sums of money to the
establishment of experiment farms, orchards, and vineyards in different parts
of the State. All these Government institutions are under the control of
thoroughly qualified managers, who are willing at all times to give any assist-
ance to beginners, thereby enabling the latter to keep free from mistakes, and

FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND. ; 101

to obtain the best returns as the result of their labour. Instructors, thoroughly
conversant with the State as a whole, are also available for giving practical
advice, so that there is no necessity for a beginner, through lack of experience,
to waste any time in finding out for himself what his soil and climate are
suited for. He can start on the right lines from the beginning, and keep to
right lines if he will only take advantage of the advice, based on practical
experience, that is given him. Queensland is a good land for the intending
fruit-grower. We offer you good soil, a choice of climates, suitable for the
growing of practically every kind of commercial fruit, a healthy climate to
live in, cheap land, free education for your children, and free advice from com-
petent experts for yourselves. This is a country that has not been advertised
or puffed up ; that is, in consequence, not by any means well known ; but it is
a country that, taken all in all, will take a lot of beating when one is looking
out for a home. Its natural advantages and the other inducements it offers
to intending settlers, particularly those interested in fruit culture, cannot, in
my opinion, be equalled, and certainly not excelled, elsewhere; and, as I stated
in the beginning of this paper, my opinion is based on practical experience
gained in various parts of the fruit-producing parts of the world.

102

kRUlTS OF QUEENSLAND.

List of Fruits Grown in Queensland.

Almonds, several varieties

Almond, Fiji

Apples, many varieties

Apricots, many varieties

Averrhoa

Avocada Pear

Bael Fruit

Banana, several varieties

Barberry

Blackberry

Brazilian Cherry

Bread Fruit

Burdekin Plum

Carob Bean

Chalta

Cherries, several varieties

Chestnut — Spanish

Chestnut — Japanese

Chinese Raisin

Citrons, several varieties

Cocoa-nut, many varieties

Custard Apples (Cheri-

moyers)
Dates

Davidsonia Plum
Figs, several varieties
Goose be rries — Cape
Gooseberries — Otaheitan
Granadillas
Grapes, many varieties

Guavas, many varieties
Jujube
Kai Apple
Kumquat
Litchi
Longan

Lemons, several varieties
Limes, several varieties
Loquats

Mandarins, several varieties
Mangoes, many varieties
Mangosteen — Sour or Coo-
chin York
Medlars

Melons, many varieties
Monstera

Pecan Nut

Persimmons, several varie-
ties

Pineapples, several varie-
ties

Pistachio Nut

Plums — European, several
varieties

Plums — Japanese, several
varieties

Plums — American, several
varieties

Pomegranate

Quince — European, several
varieties

Quince — Japanese

Mulberries, several varieties Queensland Nut

Natal Plum Raspberries, several types

Nectarines, several varieties Rosellas

Olives, several varieties
Oranges, many varieties
Papaw, several types
Passion Fruit, several types
Peaches — Persian, many

varieties
Peaches — China, several

varieties
Peaches — Ceylon, several

varieties
Pears, many varieties

Rose Apple
Sapodilla Plum
Shaddock or Pomelo,

several types
Star Apple

Strawberries, many varieties
Tamarinds
Tree Tomato
Vi Apple
Walnut
Whampee

List of Vegetables Grown in Queensland,

Artichokes — Jerusalem and

Globe
Asparagus
Beans of all kinds
Beetroot
Brocoli

Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage

Cabbage — Chinese
Capsicums
Cardoons
Carrots
Cassava
Cauliflowers
Celery
Chicory
Chokos

Cress

Cucumbers

Earth Nuts (Peanuts)

Egg Plant

Endive

Eschalots

Garlic

Herbs — all kinds

Horseradish

Kohl-rabi

Leeks

Lettuce

Mushrooms

Mustard

Nasturtiums

Ockra

Onions

Peas

Potatoes — English and Swee

Pumpkins

Radishes

Rhubarb

Salsify

Seakale

Spinach

Squashes

Sweet Corn

Swedes

Taro

Tomatoes

Turnips

Vegetable Marrows

Yams

By Authority: ANTHONY JAMES CUMMING, Government Printer, Brisbane.

YC 61804

CO

5>

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY