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152 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Jury, 1901, 
orange-trees; these were planted 20 feet by 20 feet; this will work out at 120 to the 
acre, thus giving a total of 40,716 trees. ‘he average yield per acre was 344} dozeng 
and the total output for the year 129,801 dozens. r 
In view of the immense amount of trees which are being planted every year, also 
the large number which are annually newly bearing, and further the greater cropping 
capacity of the old trees, I think it may safely be said that the figures I have jus¢ 
quoted will in each instance be doubled in the course of a very few years. 
THE WANT OF AN OUTSIDE MARKET. 
Owing to the extraordinary area now under trees, the profits for the past 
year or two have not been considered perfectly satisfactory. ‘This is due in y 
measure no doubt to the want of an outside market, but with the advent of a foreign 
outlet. and better facilities for the exportation of the fruit, it may certainly be 
looked upon as one of the State’s principal items of cultivation, and more satisfactory 
profit to the grower. 
The want of an outside market has been felt very keenly for several seasons, 
chiefly owing to the the reason I have just stated—viz., the young trees bearing anq 
larger crops being taken off the old ones. Consequently there has been a glut on the 
colonial markets, thus causing a great falling off in the prices previously realised. It 
the trees are only given proper care and attention the crops taken off must certainly 
be profitable, as the demand will assuredly continue, and successful and general 
exportation may be expected in the very near future, and will have the desired effect 
of raising the present low prices. 7 
It is not at all uncommon to realise £2 and upwards off a fully matured tree, and 
in many instances even more. This will go a long way to show what profit there is in 
the crop if the trees are only bestowed with the attention they require. 
SUITABLE KINDS OF TREES TO PLANT WITH A VIEW TO THE FUTURE. 
Having arrived so far, we will now consider which are the best kinds of trees to. 
slant. As the tendency of the industry points to the exportation of the fruit, the 
<inds which are necessary for this purpose should have the preference above all 
others. 
First, we will discuss the class of orange which will be suitable for this purpose, 
with respect to size, skin, flavour, crops, and profits. This opens up a very large 
question, and one which has of late been much discussed. 
T have had much experience myself in connection with the orange trade on the 
English market, and the solution to my mind is not at all difficult to find. 
The Washington Navel is a remarkably fine orange, and grows wonderfully well 
in this district, and answers to the principal characters required. It is possessed 
with a good firm skin, its flesh is solid, has a nice flavour, a fairly good cropper, and 
is of an extraordinary size; but herein is its only drawback, for on the general English 
market this is not required, but, as a novelty for high class shops and for decorative 
purposes, it would find a ready sale, and, I have not the slightest doubt, would pay 
remarkably well, but it must be thoroughly understood a quantity of this class of 
orange is not required. 
Other varieties which have been known to carry well are the Sabina, which 
carried to London in 1887; the Mediterranean Sweet, Siletta, and the Valencia Late, 
which were tested last year, and proved satisfactory; but of those I have named 
preference should be given to the Mediterranean Sweet. Its qualities are all that 
could be desired, and it is indeed the very orange for the English market, both with 
regard to size and quality, and accordingly its respective commercial value; and I 
think no one need be dubious about its carrying satisfactorily, for its flesh is solid, 
and it possesses a firm and at the same time pliable skin. In addition to all these 
good qualities, it is also a good cropper. ; 
Another very useful variety will be found in that known as the Federal, an orange 
of the Siletta type. This is not so well known as the others I have mentioned, but it 
is a really good orange, and possesses the characteristics required for exportation, and 
for that purpose I am inclined to think it will prove very satisfactory. fr 
Another variety which must not be overlooked is the Valencia Late; this is a most 
useful orange, as it comes in when most other varieties are off the trees, and prices 
are naturally ruling high. Tt would thus be equally satisfactory on the English market, 
as it would arrive just before those from Spain could be put upon the market. 
Now, a few words for our particular friends the hybrids of the St. Michael type. 
This is the class of orange which has made the district what it now is. It is a grand 
fruit in many ways, and recommends itself by its wonderful cropping capacity, and 
in many instances phenomenal crops have been known. ‘This class of orange would 
