106 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Fes., 1902. 
for chutney-making. The other great chutney fruit, the tamarind, also grows 
remarkably well, and, judging from the trees I saw in bearing, is a very heavy 
cropper. Green ginger, pepper, and the other accessories of mango chutney 
can be grown in the district. I see no reason why the manufacture of chutneys 
on a commercial scale should not turn out a profitable industry, especially now 
that the markets of Australia are open to our produce. 
Papaws do well when free from frost. Custard apples do well, though the 
soursop is rather too delicate for the district. The bulk of the custard apples 
own are of poor quality, being the small-leafed, very seedy, sweet-sop, which 
owever, bears heavily. Some of our southern raised custard apples, such as 
those grown by Mr. L. G. Corrie and Mr. J. Collins, of Redland. Bay, would 
be a great acquisition to the district. Pines should do well, especially if planted 
on light, well-drained soils, but no one should undertake their culture on a 
large scale unless able to give them plenty of farm manure, as this will be found 
necessary once the plants come into bearing, if pines ot large size and good 
quality are to be produced, and, needless to say, no others are of commercial 
value, either for export or canning. 
The latter industry could be established in conjunction with a chutney 
factory, and to these a marmalade plant could be added, as the Seville orange 
will, in my opinion, do well in the district. 
Bananas are not grown to any great extent, their cultivation being almost 
entirely inthe hands of Chinese gardeners. ‘Ihe plantations Isaw were by no means 
first-class, and did not compare favourably with either Northern or Southern 
plantations when planted on the right soil and in suitable locations. The long, 
dry spring is not conducive to the vigorous growth of bananas, and, although 
they would be greatly benefited by irrigation, I do not consider that they can be 
produced as cheaply or of as good quality as those grown at Cairns or 
Geraldton ; hence there is not much reason to expect any great increase in the 
production of this particular fruit. 
Vegetables of all kinds do well when well watered and properly looked 
after, and, given a good system of irrigation, should be produced in sufficient 
uantities to supply not only the local market, but those of Townsville and 
harters Towers. Early vegetables, such as tomatoes and cucumbers, could 
also be grown for the Southern markets, but would require special packages 
for their successful carriage, similar to those used by the southern States of 
America for the supply of vegetables to the northern market during the winter 
‘months. The question of getting such vegetables into our Southern markets 
is one of care in handling and packing, and the use of suitable cans or crates. 
What I have just stated with respect to the handling and packing of 
vegetables applies with even greater force to fruit, as this is one line in which 
the Bowen growers have a great deal to learn. As previously stated, the fruit, 
especially citrus, is of very high quality, being of medium to large size, very 
juicy, and having a very fine skin. Fruit of this character requires special 
care if itis to carry properly, but once given that care it will carry equally as 
well as if not better than a thicker-skinned and coarser fruit. In the first 
place, much greater care must be taken in the handling of the fruit. It must 
be cut from the trees, not pulled ; it must on no account be bruised, but should 
be handled as carefully as eggs, for a bruised fruit is a spoilt fruit, which will 
peorenly rot on the journey, and not only that, but it will cause other fruit 
rought in contact with it to decay. It is not at all an uncommon thing to find 
10 to 20 per cent. of loss in the fruit when sent to Brisbane, and this loss is 
entirely due to careless handling that can be obviated by the exercise of proper 
care. : 
When first gathered from the tree, the skin of the fruit is very tender, 
brittle, and full of water, and before it is in a condition to ship this surplus of 
moisture must be sweated or dried out of the skin, which then becomes tough 
and leathery, and will not easily bruise, so that it will carry in good condition 
