1 Sepr., 1897.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 239 
From what I have written it might be supposed that I ignore science in 
agriculture or horticulture, but such is not the case. Science has done much 
in the past and will do much in the future for agriculture. All I want to 
impress upon readers of the Journal is: Do not let science be the bugbear to 
frighten you out of the field. If you want to grow coffee and you possess 
average common sense, put that common sense to work. If you have not got 
a farm, then look out for one—a good piece of land well sheltered from the 
wind Having selected your farm, “look over the hedge,” and watch the man 
who is succeeding in the industry. Take his advice and follow it, as far 
as your own particular environments will allow. You are then not likely to 
fail. 
If a crop of coffee berries can be raised, such as may be seen here, where 
the soil is by no means to be considered congenial.to the growth of the plant, 
and where the land is exposed to the fury of the gales that sweep over the 
place, it shows that there is not so much mystery about the matter as is 
supposed, 
For land such as that at this Nursery, I believe manuring to be an absolute 
necessity, as I notice that some trees bear better than others. Some trees are 
absolutely barren, although I believe I have none here. In Ceylon these trees 
are called ‘‘ males,” but such nomenclature does not speak well for the botanical 
knowledge of those who so designate them. ‘The coffee-tree is not dicecious; it 
is an hermaphrodite. Perhaps the expression merely means a barren tree; but, 
whatever they are, it might be as well to dig them out and plant others in their 
place. To avoid the risk of raising non-bearing trees as far as possible, seeds 
should be selected, when it can be done, from the bushes bearing the largest 
crop of berries. The trees here haying now strong stems and being well rooted, 
the branches, as soon as the present crop is gathered, will be thinned out, thus 
complying with scientific instructions as to letting in light and air. - 
There are many people who, even if they have the necessary capital and 
knowledge, are physically unfit for the laborious work of cane-growing, but 
they would be perfectly capable of growing coffee. While the price remains 
at its present figure, coffee-growing will pay better than cane-growing at the 
present price of sugar; and where there is a family of children the pickers are 
ready at hand, 
I feel sure that a good future is in store for the coffee-growing industry ; 
and it is just those farmers who have 80, 50, or 100 acres of cane who can go 
in for coffee successfully, as they have money coming in to tide them over the 
three years during which they have to wait for a crop. 
’ 
