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In this my initial paper on Fruit Culture in Queensland, I wish to point 
out to all those who are interested in this subject that the object I have in 
view is twofold, as in the first place I hope to give fruit-growers and all those 
who intend to go in for fruit culture, information connected with every branch 
of the fruit industry that there is any chance of carrying out successfully in 
Queensland ; and, in the second place, that this paper shall be the first of a 
series of articles which may eventually form the basis of a text-book on Fruit 
Culture for Queensland. 
In order to carry out these ideas, it is necessary to start from the begin- 
ning ; but before dealing with my subject proper I think it will not be out of 
place if I give a few words of advice, and warning to intending fruit-growers, 
as a little timely advice may be of value to them and save many a failure: 
* Don’t run away with the idea that growing fruit consists mainly in sticking 
fruit trees of various kinds into the ground and then waiting till the fruit (if 
any) is ready for gathering, or that it is only of secondary consideration—a 
business that can be tacked on to general farming, dairying, poultry-raising, or 
market-gardening ; in fact, that it is of little importance, and that it can there- 
fore be left largely to take care of itself. If you have these notions, the sooner 
_ you get rid of them the better, as fruit culture under such conditions (and Lam 
_ sorry to say that these conditions are of very common occurrence) will not bea 
- success. Anyone who thinks that fruit can be grown successfully in such a 
manner, had better give up all thoughts of becoming a fruit-grower and take 
up some easier occupation, as fruit culture has now become a science, and the 
man who wishes to succeed must carry out his work on scientific lines and use 
his brains as well as his hands. No branch of agronomy requires more careful 
study than that of fruit culture, and none pays better for extra care and 
attention to details, as what with the vast army of pests of all kinds that fruit- 
growers have now to contend against, and the comparatively low prices realised 
for their produce, which is largely owing to the very imperfect manner in 
which fruit is distributed or disposed of, it takes a man who knows his 
business thoroughly, and who conducts it on proper business lines to make a 
successful fruit-grower. ‘The old slipshod, happy-go-lucky methods of fruit 
culture are or should be things of the past, as the only way in which we can — 
make fruit-growing a success in Queensland is to carry it out on the most — 
approved lines and ona sound business basis, and the sooner we realise this 
the better for the fruit-growing industry of this colony.” 
Having now shown briefly—l. The very wide range of ground that must 
be gone over in dealing with such a comprehensive subject as fruit culture in 
Queensland ; 2. The adaptability of a large portion of this colony for fruit 
culture ; 3. The reasons why we should grow and why we should use fruit; 
4, The manner in which fruit should be grown, and the manner in which it 
should zot be grown; and, lastly, the objects of this paper generally—I will 
now go on to the subject proper, and start with a description of the soils that 
are suitable for fruit culture in Queensland. 
ERUIT SOILS. 
Though fruit can be grown in nearly any kind of soil if given the neces- 
sary attention, yet there are certain soils that are much better adapted for 
fruit culture, or for the growth of special fruits, than others. ‘This being so, 
it is of the first importance to select a suitable soil for the individual fruit or 
fruits that one wishes to grow. There are several types of soil suitable for 
- fruit culture, but it is essential that they be all alikein one respect ; and that is, 
that they possess good natural drainage, so that there is no possibility of stag- 
nant water lying round the roots of the trees. This question of well-drained 
soils is of vital importance for fruit- growing in this colony, as, owing to the fact 
that the latter is subject periodically to very heavy rains in many parts, unless 
_ there is a ready escape for the surplus water, the fine fibrous roots of most 
fruit trees will be scalded, and the trees will be seriously injured, if not killed 
outright. 
