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 



