to 
ct 
Fruit Culture in Queensland. 
By ALBERT H. BENSON, 
Government Fruit Expert. 
THE subject to be dealt with under the above title is a somewhat comprehensivo 
one; more comprehensive than most persons imagine, as it embraces the culti- 
vation of practically every fruit of commercial value that can be grown in any 
part of the world—extreme tropical fruits such as the Durien and Mangostan — 
probably excepted. ew persons realise the magnitude of this colony, or have 
any idea of the wide range of climate to be met with within its boundaries: 
climates varying from that of the temperate regions, as at Stanthorpe, to that 
of the tropics, as at Cairns or Cooktown, with any other kind of climate that 
can occur within these extremes; climates having a heavy rainfall and a 
moisture-laden atmosphere to climates with a small and very uncertain rainfall 
anda dry atmosphere, and climates that. come in anywhere between these. 
This variation of the climate, or, rather, this large number of climates, accounts 
for the comprehensive nature of fruit culture in Queensland. In the temperate 
districts all the fruits of the temperate regions can be grown; in the semi- 
tropical districts, those of the semi-tropics; and in the tropical districts, those 
of the tropics; and, in addition, we have the medium climate of the tablelands, 
capable of growing good deciduous fruits, table and wine grapes, and the dry, 
hot climate of the interior, which, when the rainfall can be supplemented by 
irrigation from artesian or other sources, will grow fruits that are valuable for 
drying, oil-making, raisins, wine, or brandy. 
_ _ When planted in suitable soils and fayourable situations, fruit trees of all 
kinds make a very rapid growth, and attain an early maturity—citrus trees” 
occasionally fruiting in four years from the planting of the seed, and olives 
in four years from the planting of the truncheon, a rapidity of growth that will 
hardly be credited by European growers. 
Many parts of the colony are so well adapted for fruit culture that several 
varieties of fruits grow well and produce heavy crops, even though the land is 
entirely uncultivated and the trees are neglected and uncared for. It is not 
at all uncommon to come across frnit trees, such as oranges, common lemons, 
citrons, mangoes, guavas, peaches, &c., in a practically wild state, apparently 
thriving as well as any of the indigenous trees or plants growing beside them. 
The ease with which many fruits can be grown, though showing the 
suitability of the soil and climate for their growth, has not been altogether an 
advantage, as it has been somewhat of -an incentive to carelessness on the part | 
of the fruit-growers, and has resulted in the chance production of a quantity 
of worthless fruits, which only become a breeding-ground of disease, and 
consequently a source of trouble to the district in whieh they are growing. 
On the other hand, when we find that fruit trees do so well, even when 
neglected and uncared for, it demonstrates the great possibilities there are for 
fruit-growing, when carried out on a thoroughly systematic and business basis. 
In a climate like that of Queensland, especially in the warmer and more tropical 
parts, fruit is an absolute necessity as an article of diet, in order to keep up 
the health and vigour of our race. For hot climates, fruit is Nature’s food and 
Nature’s medicine, and as long as it is fresh, good and properly ripe, it is highly 
nutritious and very wholesome. Fruit should be used by every family in the 
colony at least once a day, and in the warmer parts it should form a portion of 
every meal. It should be looked upon as a necessity and not as a luxury, and 
it should be the aim of every fruit-grower to grow good fruit, and to assist in 
its distribution in such a manner that the consumer may obtain it in good 
order and at a reasonable rate This will increase the consumption, and 
consequently benefit both the producer and the consumer. ; 
