2 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. {1 Jan., 1902. 
Fruit culture is extending in all parts of the State. Coffee and rice 
growing are making rapid strides in the North and South respectively, and in a 
very few years this State will be quite able to supply its own requirements of 
these two staples. Would that we could add that cotton-growing has again 
been added to our industries. As we have frequently pointed out, there is no 
reason why cotton-growing should not pay as wellas or much better indeed 
than wheat, maize, or many other crops now mainly grown by the farmers. If 
locally-grown cotton were to be obtained in sufficient quantities to keep a mill 
going, an incentive would be provided to once more establish the manufacture 
of cotton goods in Ipswich. 
Then we have the dairying industry, which is yearly increasing, and is no 
longer conducted on the slipshod plan of bygone years. Factories and 
creameries have sprung up in all directions. Cold storage is provided on at 
least two of the coastal steamers, thanks to the persistent efforts of the Depart- 
ment of Agriculture, backed by the assistance of the butter producers and 
shippers. Queensland butter more than holds its own in the British markets, 
as is testified by a comparison between the product of Denmark and the 
Australasian States. 
The opportunity afforded to intending settlers by the throwing open of the 
rich lands repurchased from the squatters has been availed of to such an extent 
that all these lands, devoted not long since to the raising of sheep and cattle, 
now constitute the homes of hundreds of thriving farmers. 
We would that we could congratulate the Western pastoralists on a final 
breakup of the disastrous drought, which has wrought such dire ruin in many 
parts of Queensland. Unhappily, the wished-for consummation has not yet 
come to pass; and even when luxuriant grass and herbs ouce more cover the 
plains of the Warrego and elsewhere in the West, a long time must elapse 
before the flocks and herds are made up to their original numbers. 
Meanwhile we can but rejoice at the success which has attended the labours 
of one portion of the rural community, and extend our sympathy to those who 
are still struggling with adverse circumstances, heartily trusting that the coming 
year may be fraught with bounteous rains, plentiful crops, and sure markets. 
