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 



