430 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Dec., 1898. 
Remanrxs,—There is an abundance of soil of the most favourable descrip- 
tion for the cultivation of table grapes, and a sufficiently dry climate for the 
vines to be free of fungus disease, if ordinary care is taken to prevent its 
introduction and propagation in the vineyard ; but the great drawback, as else- 
where in the North, is the shortness of the winter, and the consequent short 
time given to the vine to repose and recuperate, with the result that its 
cropping power is seriously impaired, a vine which should give twenty 
bunches of grapes yielding only three or four. This defect may possibly be 
modified by correct pruning, which throughout the district is extremely rudi- 
mentary. By confining the vegetation of the vine to comparatively few spurs, 
there is more chance of the canes being fertile than under the present system ; 
but under no circumstances can vignerons hope for the crops which vines 
produce in the South. Here, as elsewhere in the North, vignerons should 
prefer the earlier ripening varieties of both Huropean and American grapes, of 
which the following is a short list :— 
Huropean—Black, Cluster, Chasselas, Red Muscat, Almeria, Blue 
Portugal, Dolcetto, Madeleine Angevine, Madeleine Royale. 
American-—Canada, Wilder, Elvira. 
MACKAY. 
Sorn.—The soils about Mackay consist of a black alluvial of varying 
depth and considerable fertility with a subsoil of clay, more or less impervious 
to water; a lighter-coloured alluvial of a more loamy character with a similar 
subsoil; and on the north side of the river a fair extent of ridges of alluvial 
resting on clay mixed with sand, and.in some places ridges of a schistose or 
slatey rock broken and decomposed. On these ridges the vine does much 
better than on the flats; and if care be taken in the choice of the ground, it 
should do well. Generally speaking, the summit of the ridges should be 
avoided. The alluvial flats, also, should be avoided for viticulture, unless the 
subsoil is known to be porous, or the vigneron is prepared to drain the soil 
artificially. In the latter case, the drains must be of sufficient depth, as 
anything superficial will be time and money lost. 
Crimare.—The climate of Mackay is not so favourable to viticulture as 
that of some Northern districts, principally owing to the much greater rainfall 
and consequently greater atmospheric humidity. From this arises a certain 
amount of fungus disease of the vines, but not so severe but that it could be 
kept under with ordinary care. The more delicate European vines would, 
however, be more or less a prey to it, and cause the vigneron trouble and 
anxiety. As in other parts of the North, the same evil effects of too short a 
winter are noticeable here in exhaustion of the vine, and, in consequence, 
poor crops. 
Remarxs.—Taking into consideration the quality of the soil generally 
and the climatic conditions of Mackay, vignerons are advised, if planting any 
quantity of grapes, to keep to American varieties, such as Jacquez or Lenoir, 
“Wilder, Canada, Elvira, &c. If, on the other hand, a few vines are planted 
for household purposes, the hardier varieties of European vines may be 
chosen—viz., Almeria, White Syrian, Royal Ascot, Black Cluster, &. The 
same remarks apply to the district round Eton as have been given above. 
NEBO. 
Sorm.—From Eton to Nebo the road passes through land of very poor 
quality, the soil generally being ill-adapted to agriculture until within a mile 
of the township, when it undergoes a marked improvement. The soil round 
Nebo may be practically divided into two kinds—a loam mixed with a little 
clay, but porous and well drained, and black soil more or less sticky in nature. 
The former, in places, is found of considerable depth, and is admirably adapted 
for viticulture. On both sides of Nebo Creek it is from 30 to 40 feet in 
depth, gradually decreasing as it recedes from the creek, until it ceases at from 
