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 



