376 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Noy., 1898. 
be learned. In every stage there are new developments and features varying 
with circumstances, cach and all of importance not to be overlooked. Besides, 
it must be bornein mind that instructions applicable to Ceylon, frequently 
cited by me by way of illustration, may not be wholly applicable to Queens- 
land, where climatic conditions differ in many respects. And here I must 
reiterate that every planter in this colony, guided as he may be by the 
fundamental teachings of other coffee-growing countries, must, to be 
successful, apply common sense and discrimination under all conditions. 
He must give and take, not blindly binding himself to the dead 
letter of the practices of his brother planters in Ceylon or elsewhere. 
Success in coffee-growing cannot be mastered in a few lessons, or by the 
teaching embodied in a few magazine articles; it is a study and experi- 
ence that with each crop finds many augmentations. There was a depth of 
truth given by an old Ceylon planter when asked by a creeper, or new chum, 
if there was much to learn in coffee-growing—‘‘I’m_ learning something every 
day, though I have had thirty years at it”; and such will be the experience of 
every planter here if he is, as he ought 1o be, keenly observant of his plants 
day by day throughout the year. No standard rules, without some variations, 
can be laid down applicable to all situations, aspect, rainfall, windage, &c.; all 
must be gauged and interpreted according to the position and general location 
of the field—whether low land or mountain slope. 
There is too great tendency among farmers in this colony to concentrate 
their time and energies to the cultivation of only one or two marketable 
products, whereas many, and especially those who have large families, would 
find their incomes considerably increased by the addition of an acre or two of 
coffee. The requisites necessary for the preparation of the product for the 
mill are so simple and inexpensive that they are within the reach of all, It 
must have occurred to those who have followed these articles from the 
beginning that it is not necessary for every grower to erect a mill for his own 
crop. One mill in each district is ample for all purposes, as coffee in the 
parchment state will stand holding for an indefinite period, provided it has 
been sufficiently dried, nor need the farmer apprehend that such delay will 
cause depreciation in its value, for the contrary is the case. The farmer in 
Queensland can choose his own time for sending his parchment to the mill, 
where he could either sell for cash or have the article cured, packed, and 
shipped for him. 
This same principle is carried on with great satisfaction in most of the 
coffee-producing countries, and should answer equally well here. 
The foregoing concludes for the present the very interesting articles on 
coffee-growing in this colony, which are the result of Mr. Dansey’s long experi- 
ence in Ceylon, combined with much that he has gained by practice and 
observation in Queensland. As the writer says, the articles do not form a 
complete treatise on coffee-growing, but we recommend all farmers to read the 
articles attentively, as by their help they will certainly be enabled to add to 
their incomes with comparatively small outlay. 
We should like to see every farmer, whose lot is cast in a suitable locality, 
add at least an acre of coffee to his cultivation ground.—Ed. Q. A.J. 
COFFEE LANDS IN QUEENSLAND. 
Srycr the various articles on coffee-planting in Queensland have appeared in 
the Journal, many inquiries from oversea have been made concerning land 
suitable for coffee-growing at Mackay and other portions of tropical Queens- 
land. ‘hat the articles in question have attracted much attention is evidenced 
by a communication we have received from Mr, J. Dansey, Manager of the 
