1 Dec., 1898.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 427 
All the above are apparently well drained, which is a favourable point 
in viticulture. The first and third’ would be the best adapted for the vine, 
provided that situations were chosen where the slope is not too great to avoid 
washing away of the soil by heavy rains. In the immediate neighbourhood of 
Herberton the soil is apparently too poor and shallow, and the country too 
precipitous, to promise good results in vine cultivation; but in the district 
there are many places where the soil is of sufficient depth and quality for the 
vine to flourish. 
_ The red soil of basaltic origin 1s not much recommended, especially that of 
a bright-red colour, as. this kind of soil has almost invariably proved 
unsympathetic to the vine in all parts of the colony, either from a super- 
abundance of ferrous oxide or a deficiency of lime and soluble potash. In 
those places where the granitic and basaltic formations are in contact and the 
resultant soil is of mixed character, the vine should do very well indeed. Where 
the vine is planted in red volcanic soil, the latter would be improved by the 
application of quicklime or bonedust. 
Crurare.—The climate may be compared, so far as viticulture is 
concerned, to the coastal districts of the Southern part of the colony, the 
winter being sufficiently marked to give a period of repose to the vine, which is 
not the case in some places in the North. There is also less atmospheric 
humidity, As in other parts of the colony, there is frequently serious loss of 
grapes by rotting in those years when the rain arrives sooner than usual. To 
avoid this, it would be well to plant the earlier ripening varieties of American 
grapes, which are also very resistant to fungus disease. European kinds are 
not indicated for this district. 
RemarKs.—There would appear to be an opening for the cultivation of 
table grapes on a small scale, as prices obtained are remunerative, but with 
at present a limited market. Viticulture for wine-making purposes would 
also be profitable, provided the proper varieties of vines were chosen. The 
porphyritic, granitic, and limestone soils should be preferred, care being taken 
to avoid slopes where heavy rains would be likely to wash down the soil. On 
the poorer granitic soil manuring would be required at intervals; farmyard or 
stable manure, bonedust, and green crops are indicated. Where the vines are 
planted in volcanic soils, some form of lime is required as a fertiliser. 
The vines indicated for table purposes are—Wilder, Goethe, Elvira, 
Rulander, Iona, &c. 
For wine-making—Jacquez or Lenoir, Black July, Catawba, Othello, and 
Espar. 
ATHERTON. 
Sorm.—The soil around Atherton is principally red volcanic scrub soil 
derived from the decomposition of a basaltic formation, and the same remarks 
apply to this district as have been made upon the volcanic soil of Herberton. 
The hills, however, are of granitic sandstone rocks, too steep for any cultivation, 
but at the foot of these ridges there are spots where the soil is deep and of a 
sandy loamy character, where the vine would do well. In some places the voleanic - 
and sandy soils mingle, and would prove very favourable for viticulture. 
Criarr.—tThe climate is very similar to that of Herberton, and the vines 
indicated for that district would do for Atherton. 
Remarxs.—Although at present the cultivation of the vine is very limited 
in this district, principally for want of a market and of facilities for transport, 
there appears to be a probability of a change for the better taking place in the 
immediate future in these respects. If so, there can be no doubt that both 
here and at Herberton a fair quality and early table grape can be grown which 
would find a remunerative sale in the mining centres. . 
CAIRNS. 
This district is entirely unsuitable for viticulture ; nor, so far as was to bo 
observed, is there any attempt made to grow grapes, 
El 
