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 



