FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND. 97 



In the Maryborough, Gympie, and Bundaberg districts, similar grapes are 

 also grown, and do well, ripening somewhat earlier than they do in Brisbane ; 

 and in the Rockhampton district, right on the tropic of Capricorn, some of the 

 best table grapes I have seen in the State are produced. Further north a few 

 grapes are grown, but not in any great quantities, and I consider that the 

 profitable cultivation of good table grapes on the coast extends from our 

 Southern border to a short distance north of the tropic of Capricorn and 

 inland to all districts where there is either a sufficient rainfall or a supply of 

 water from artesian bores, or otherwise, to enable them to be grown. Grapes 

 here, as in other parts of the world, like moderately rich, free, loamy soils of 

 good depth, free sandy loams, and free alluvial loams. In such soils they make 

 a vigorous growth, and are heavy bearers. The granitic soils of the Stanthorpe 

 district, that produce such good peaches, plums, and apples, grow excellent 

 grapes, which ripen late. They are of large size, and conspicuous for their fine 

 colour. The sandy soils of Roma and the Maranoa country generally grow 

 excellent wine and table grapes, the latter being of large size, full flavour, and 

 handsome appearance. Wine grapes also do well here, and some excellent 

 wine has been made, both dark and light, natural and fortified. I have no 

 doubt that eventually good rich port and the best of sherries will be produced 

 in this district, as the soil and climate are admirably adapted to the production 

 of these classes of wine. Our difficulty, so far, has been to find out the exact 

 kinds of grapes to grow for this purpose, but now I am glad to say that we are 

 on the right track, and the excellence of Queensland ports and sherries will be 

 a recognised thing before many years are past. There is a big and good 

 opening for up-to-date viticulturists in this State. We have any amount of 

 suitable land at low rates, and, thanks to the generous sun heat of our interior, 

 we can grow grapes capable of producing wines equal to the best that can be 

 turned out by Spain, Portugal, or Madeira. In those districts that do not 

 possess such an extreme climate, such as the coastal downs and the Stanthorpe 

 districts, good wines of a lighter character can be produced, and, as already 

 stated, good wines are now being made on the coast. 



It is only now that we are beginning to realise the value of the grape to 

 Queensland, as, until our production increased to such an extent that our local 

 markets were being over-supplied, our growers made no attempt to supply 

 outside markets. Now this is being done, and better means of handling and 

 packing the fruit, so as to enable it to be shipped long distances, are now 

 coming into vogue. With improved methods of handling and packing, we have 

 a greatly extended market, in which we will have no local competition, hence 

 will be able to secure good returns, so much so that I consider that grape- 

 growing in Queensland has a very promising outlook for some years to come 

 at any rate. In addition to growing grapes to supply the fresh-fruit trade and 

 for winemaking, our western country is capable of producing good raisins and 

 sultanas. So far, this industry has not been entered into commercially, the 

 fresh fruit realising far too high a price for it to pay to convert it into raisins. 

 Still, with increased production, this Avill have to take place, and when it 

 does I am of opinion that we will be able to turn out a very saleable article. 



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