190 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Mar., 1902. 
Light non-calcareous soils are invariably deficient in phosphoric acid, con- 
sequently heavier doses of phosphate manures should be used than on other 
class of soils. 
Generally speaking heavy caleareous soils have an abundance of potash, 
and on these the potash manures could be diminished in quantity ; but nitrogen 
should be increased. Always take note of the subsoil, sata frequently differs 
considerably from the surface soil; so that possibly the one may supply a 
deficiency in the other. 
The best time for putting in the manure depends upon the kind that is 
being used. Dried blood, refuse of hide, wool, &c., sulphate of ammonia, 
kainit, Australian potash, Thomas’ phosphate, and bonemeal should be 
ploughed in at the first winter ploughing ; nitrate of soda and superphosphates 
at the second ploughing or first spring cultivation. 
One principle which the vignerons should keep in mind is, that it is better 
to fertilise frequently with smaller quantities of manures than manure at 
longer intervals with larger quantities. In the case of droughts or exception- 
ally heavy rains there will be less loss, and the vine will respond better to it. 
He must also bear in mind that the benefit of manuring is only apparent in 
the year following its application, and should not be disappointed therefore if 
there is no great increase of crop the year it is applied. 
BRANDY DISTILLATION IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA. 
By A, DESPEISSIS. 
Several inquiries have of late been made to me regarding the probable 
rofits to be derived from the distillation of brandy in Western Australia, and 
m the following notes I have assumed that a vineyard established for that 
purpose be located on a stretch of deep, free, and moist soil, such as is commonly 
met with in the belt of country running along the coast of Western Australia, 
from the latitude of Perth and Fremantle to Cape Naturaliste to the south- 
ward. My calculations are based on average figures. The cost of clearing may 
in some localities exceed that given in these notes, while in others it is some- 
times under that estimated. Considerable fluctuations also occur in the yield of 
vineyards, but all those who are familiar with the heavy producing grapes from 
which wine is made for the purpose of distilling brandy will recognise that my 
valuation is very reasonable. Indeed, along the stretch of Tuart gum country, 
which runs parallel with the coastal line of Western Australia, many isolated 
vineyards occur, which for many years have yielded annually five to eight tons 
of grapes to the acre. That our Tuart gum country is destined to be one of 
the most profitable belts of vineland in Australia, the results achieved give us 
every reason to believe. 
Before discussing the profits to be made in this country in distilling brandy, 
it is necessary to review some of the facts on which the following estimates have 
been based :— 
Import oF Sprrirs. 
These returns have been taken from the “ Blue Book,” and show that the 
amount of spirit imported is rapidly increasing. The population of the State 
was in— 
1894 ... ont con ROA 1897 ... on: 161,924 
1895... x «. 101,285 1898 ... ex Pee LG28129 
1896... on ... 137,946 1899 .. 171,032 
The male population, from which the spirit consumers are chiefly counted, 
- constitutes about one-half of the general population. 
