Laver, 1900.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 805 
ap On the higher levels, frost is occasionally met with; but with judicious 
Ction the parts liable to frost may be avoided. There is more frost 
| marenced in the valleys among the ranges than on the higher peaks on the 
ies or overlooking the plains; and in the same way in the southerly 
Nets on the plains rather than on the hills 200 to 500 feet higher. 
ii With regard to elevation, therefore, it is a mistaken idea to suppose that 
| « 8ecessary in Queensland to go to hill country to obtain the climate suitable 
coffee cultu Coff be ssfull wn on the plains at sea level 
| in the re. Coffee can be successfully grow plains at sez 
8 country, although in many countries it is found that the ranges are the 
po Places where its successful cultivation is possible. 
| the the effect of elevation on the product is to give a better quality of bean in 
| ath, gher levels with a high analytic value, but lower bearing capabilities, and 
| ( Wer levels to give a larger bean and more of it, but of a somewhat poorer 
tty 
| oti One of the strong points that Queensland has in its favour is the possibility 
ak ‘ producing, even at its low levels, a bean equal in quality to that produced 
1g m the high levels of most other countries, and it combines with this a fertility 
| “ol far in advance of most. 
“tak 4spect.—In this matter the direction of the prevailing winds has to be 
.;* into consideration. Wind affects the coffee tree in many ways; but 
thosel taking into consideration the direct injury to trees young or old, the 
Sed situation enhances the cost of the cultivation by their requiring staking, 
‘Vy earth mulching, and extra attention to trees, that an estate with a good 
: ey reduces to a minimum. Those who have estates old enough to require 
S| than and have had to do any staking, will appreciate the remark, perhaps, more 
| isi for whom the article is written—i.e., those who are still able to 
= | oe 1s well, therefore, to choose an aspect protected from wind. As a 
7 roi rule in North Queensland, it would appear that the prevailing winds are 
qi ap “east. or easterly; therefore a westerly or north-westerly aspect would 
a Pear generally to be the better. 
T tate \ must be remembered, however, that aspect is a matter that ditfers very 
7 Selly in different districts, and is affeeted by a high hill in the vicinity, 
| ound to seaboard, &e.; and frequently, where the soil is volcanic, it will be 
Tw that coffee, in one district, will grow luxuriously on one slope while it 
i line, Ae on the opposite facing of a valley, matters being reversed in the 
TCT, 
T he. Again, a mountain range will so affect the direction of the wind as to 
fepently bring it in almost full force into a clearing from quite an opposite 
102 to that from which it is blowing on the top of the peak. 
‘ny ube general rough-and-ready way of deciding on an aspect is to note the 
“Tadieg  orowiNE onthe land. If cold and bleak, the nature of the timber will 
W ate it ; if windy, the straggling upper branches and the tops of the trees 
th Ow sions not only of wind, but the usual direction of it. Hven the stems 
Aide, trees will show a tighter and close-grained bark on the cold or windward 
tn Having decided on a piece protected from wind, which is perhaps the most 
myn point to be considered, the amount of sunshine the block will have 
4g cleared must next be taken into consideration. An easterly or north- 
tetas aspect is frequently advised, on account of the morning sun. It is 
“an aed a good thing to avoid the fierce blaze of the sun for the whole day ; 
‘tin tere the climate is humid, the rainfall heavy and the elevation low, the 
ig, 2 sun is better than either all day sun or afternoon sun. This, however, 
of Hho means the only point to be considered; in higher elevations the effect 
ae is by no means to be ignored. It is not the actual low temperature of 
Vandy Mate that does the harm to the coffee, but the too rapid thawing after- 
bays "A frost-bitten tree will show no signs of damage even on the tenderest 
* before the sun rises after the night of frost, and, if the direct sunshine 
key aly be kept off the trees long enough, no harm would ensue from several 
_~~*S of frost. 
