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 



