L JUNE, 1898.] - QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 489, 
LOWER HERBERT. 
Tue estimated output of sugar in the Lower Herbert district will probably 
exceed that of 1897 by over 1,000 tons. 
The following approximate figures will enable an idea to be formed of the 
progress of the industry in that district :— 
Cane crushed in 1897 ... oe bn ... 124,000 tons 
Sugar madé... 20 0 ia ao «= NOOO, 
‘Tons of cane per ton of sugar ee sn SH oy 
Price of cane delivered at the mills ... 12s. 6d. to 18s. 
Season, 1898— 
Total area under crop, about es ... 9,500 acres 
Area to be cut 5 os an (AON. 45 
Probable yield of cane Jo ... 138,000 tons 
" sugar vt ae on | OO. 5, 
23 i h 
The combined capacity of the three mills working in the district is equal 
to about 20,000 tons of sugar per annum.—Iackay Sugar Journal. . 
CAIRNS DISTRICT. 
From Cairns we hear that the sugar crops are looking remarkably well, and 
are growing rapidly. It is estimated that the two mills (Hambledon and 
Mulgrave Central) will have to deal with an output of 100,000 tons 
of cane during the present season. ‘The whole of this cane, with the 
exception of about 4,000 tons, is being grown by the farmers. The mills haye 
been making extensive alterations and improvements to enable them to deal 
with this large quantity of cane. Should they be fortunate enough to turn 
out a ton of sugar from eight tons of cane, the result should be over 12,000 
tons of sugar. We hear also that several intending farmers are looking out 
for land in the Cairns district, so that doubtless the output of cane will be 
greatly increased in 1899. 
The Mulgrave Central Mill is connected with Cairns by a 8-feet G-inch 
gauge railway, 14 miles in length, running past the Hambledon Estate, and it 
is being extended to Aloomba, a further distance of 4 miles, to enable the 
farmers to send their cane to Hambledon. 
Coffee-growing is greatly on the increase, and crops are reported as good. 
—Tbid. 
a 
JOHNSTONE RIVER. . 
TE cane is looking fairly well, and of course there is a good bit of grub- 
eaten cane on the Riyer this year, but I think that the grubs have not done 
any further damage during the past three weeks. However, about the middle 
of the month the cane all started to arrow, so I suppose that means no more 
growth, so that will shorten the crops for this district very considerably. 
Strange, too, it does not confine itself to one variety, as all the varieties have 
arrowed. ‘The cane has therefore arrived at maturity earlier this season than I 
haye ever known before.—Jbid. 
oe 
MAEFFRA (Vicrorta). 
Tin Maffra Beet Sugar Company commenced operations on the 21st of last 
month. We are informed by. telegram that the work done was fully as 
successful as expected, and gave great satisfaction. 
a purity of 99°8. . : 
From a statement appearing in one of our exchanges 1t seems likely that 
the factory this year will not make more than 1,500 tons, owing to the 
unfavourable meteorological conditions.—Lbid. 
The sugar made analysed 
