346 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Ocr., 1897. 
CAPE GOOSEBERRIES. 
Ir has been often stated that Cape gooseberries are only prolific when they 
spring up spontaneously after a maize crop, and that no profit would be derived 
from sowing the seed. Mr. Butts, of Palmwood, Blackall Range, shows prac- 
tically how erroneous this idea is. He sowed two acres of seed in November 
last on unbroken scrub land—that is to say, the timber had been felled and 
burnt off, but the soil had not been broken up. He placed the gooseberries in 
a tub of water, and washed the seed out of the pulp. These seeds were dried, 
then mixed with a quantity of dry ashes to equalise spreading, and then sown 
broadcast over two acres. The result has been that these two acres are covered 
with a luxurious growth of bushes, and the weight of crop may be inferred 
from the fact that one woman and two boys, paid at the rate of 14d. per quart, 
cleared 21s. in three days. The fruit is sent to the Brisbane jam factories, 
where it realises 6d. per quart. Mr. Butts intends sowing from four to five acres 
during the coming month. The wages made at picking gooseberries should 
hearten the coffee-planters against the lugubrious prognostications of there 
being no pickers for the crop. 
AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL SHOWS. 
Tue Editor will be glad if the secretaries of Agricultural and other 
Societies will, as early as possible after the fixture of their respective shows, 
notify him of the date, and also of any change in date which may have been 
decided on. 
SHOW FIXTURES. 
Gympie Agricultural, Pastoral, and Mining 
Association 06 oe x ... 6th and 7th October. 
Ipswich and West Moreton Agricultural and 
Horticultural Society ; a 
Horticultural Society of Queensland—Spring 
Rose Show ; on oe oe 
Ipswich and West Moreton Agricultural and 
Horticultural Society ... fn xy 
7th and Sth October. 
(about) 12th October. 
14th and 15th October. 
