Dec., 1898.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL, 431 
one-half to one mile distance. A. similar soil crops out of the black soil in 
some places in the shape of ridges of some extent. There would appear to be 
many thousands of acres of this class of soil available for viticulture or other 
kinds of fruit culture. The black soil is, generally speaking, too sticky for 
the vine, as there would be considerable difficulty experienced in keeping the 
land clean during the wet season; but in some places, as at Mr. Goode’s 
vineyard, there is found close to the surface a subsoil many feet deep of lime- 
stone, apparently the débris of a coral formation, which being worked up with 
the black soil considerably reduces its tenacity and mellows it. 
Crimatr.—The climate of this district is favourable to viticulture; the 
rainfall is small (82 inches), and the air dry and bracing. In addition there 
is 2 winter of not less than three months’ duration, with frequent severe frosts. 
The vine consequently is able to repose and recuperate for the coming season. 
The rains arriving about the same time as on the coast, would necessitate the 
choice of early-ripening varieties to avoid rot by the wet. 
Remarxs.—The soil and climate of this district are favourable to viticul- 
ture, either for raising table grapes or for wine-making purposes. Wherever 
the limestone subsoil exists, the locality would be especially indicated for wine- 
making. Experience has shown in all parts of the world that a limestone soil 
has a great influence on the quality of the wine produced on it. Mr. Goode’s 
vineyard is on a limestone soil; and the wine made by him, although far too 
sweet to enable one to judge its qualities accurately, showed a jinesse of 
character promising a fine quality of dry wine in this district, if made pure 
and on scientific principles from a few well-chosen varieties of vines. 
T feel convinced that a wine of considerable merit could be made here; it would 
probably be of a claret or Burgundy type, not too heavy and possessed of 
bouquet and finesse if properly made and handled. An experiment in this 
direction with some of Mr. Goode’s grapes would be of interest. The vines 
recommended for wine-making are Mataro or Espar, Black Cluster, Hermitage, 
Gamay, a few Lenoir, Sweetwater, Verdeilho. A crop of two tons to the acre, 
or 450 gallons of wine, may be expected if the crop escapes rot from wet 
weather. 
For table purposes, all Huropean varieties may be planted, but, notwith- 
standing the dryness of the climate and freedom from fungus disease, sulphuring 
vines should not be neglected. 
CONCLUSIONS. 
rom what I have seen during my extended tour through the North, I 
feel assured that viticulture can, in many places, be engaged in successfully 
and profitably. It is a mistaken idea existing in the South that no grapes 
can be grown in the North of thecolony. On the coast, it is true, vignerons are 
not too successful, as they labour under many disadvantages, the principal being 
the want of a winter in the real sense of the word. The vine, vegetating until 
late in the autumn, has but little energy when the spring arrives to commence 
fresh growth, with the natural result of poor crops and unequal ripening. The 
latter defect may be due, to some extent, to the variety of vine planted, such 
as the Isabella, which is notorious for this defect. A mistaken system of 
pruning is also accountable for some of the trouble; too many spurs by farare 
allowed. More vigorous pruning may possibly assist In more equal ripening. 
On the other hand, there is a marked freedom, at present, from fungus disease, 
which is a matter of considerable importance. Some varieties of grapes are 
rrown free of oidium at Townsville aud Bowen which have had to be entirely 
~ abandoned at Maryborough and in districts further south. Butif the Northern 
yines are comparatively free from disease now, vignerons must not delude 
themselves with the belief that they will always be so, if they continue to 
neglect, as they do, the use of precautionary measures against its attacks. Tts 
introduction and acclimatisation are only a question of time, and bitterly will 
they subsequently repent their present apathy. I cannot too strongly urge 
