1 June, 1898.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 435 
I have planted the seed, but failed to get it to germinate. It will, however, grow 
readily from cuttings of any size. The young trees require no shade when planted. 
out, and very little attention. I shall think it a pleasure to answer any questions with 
reference to the above rubber plant or take photographs of some of the trees, if they 
would be of service. : 
Any publications that you could spare which treat of rubber and other tropical 
products, [ should be very glad to obtain. 
A, C. ENGLISH, 
Government Agent, Rigo District. 
COFFEE IN QUEENSLAND AND OTHER PARTS. 
By JOHN DANSEY, 
Manager, Mackay Coffee Estate Co., Ltd 
Parr I. 
Lanps cultivated under the influence of a tropical sun have enabled the 
cultivators from time almost immemorial to draw from the soil an uninterrupted 
succession of crops of the same kind, which naturally has caused their attention 
to be more or less diverted from other profitable undertakings to which their 
lands are equally well adapted. It is but seldom that any good reason can be 
offered why land in any country should be exclusively devoted to the raising of 
one particular description of produce. Would it not be wiser for the tropical 
agriculturist to seek the best means of producing other articles, in addition to 
his own, for which a ready market is open to him? 
' Amongst the many industries which I have no doubt could be profitably 
established in tropical Queensland, I particularly wish to refer to Coffea arabica ; 
and if I may be allowed to venture a few opinions thereon, gathered together 
from a long and varied experience in most of the coffee-producing countries 
of the world besides Queensland, and if by doing so my humble efforts in 
dilating at some length on matters relative to successful coffee cultivation may 
prove of utility to the many now embarking in tho industry, I shall feel myself 
amply rewarded. 
SOIL, CLIMATE, ASPECT. 
It is of the utmost importance that land chosen for the purpose of growing 
coffee should be possessed of a free subsoil, devoid of any clayey substance. 
Land of a boulderous nature may be considered the very best, whilst land in 
which the rock formation is of a slabby nature should in all cases be strenuously 
avoided. 
Lands undulating and bordering on to steepness will be found most 
suitable and best adapted to the plant. Flatland or land that does not drain 
itself is notin any way suitable, inasmuch as where dampness sets in at foot 
premature decay will follow. High winds and frosts may be put down as the 
natural enemies of coffee. Great stress is at times laid on the aspect of the 
land on which coffee is about to be planted, a south-eastern one being generally 
advocated. This should not, however, by any means be de riqueur. 
The first consideration of the intending planter should be to see that his 
land is at all times thoroughly protected from high winds, shelter being of 
paramount importance to the welfare of the plant at all times of its existence ; it 
is possible in many instances to break the force of the wind by having standing 
breaks of scrub at various distances apart. If this method is resorted to, the 
belts should be of great width, not less than three chains through ; thin belts of 
scrub are absolutely useless. The trees being deprived of their natural protec- 
tion become unsightly in no time, and in a year or two succumb, only to fallin 
all probability across some of the finest coffee-trees on the plantation and 
destroy them for ever. . 
