332 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Nov., 1902. 
The Orchard. 
THE CENTRAL DISTRICT. 
By 8S. C. VOLLER. 
Under the heading of ‘“ Producing Interests,” and in connection with the 
question of the practicability of irrigation in Queensland, the Brisbane Courier, 
of 12th July, had an interesting article by “ Koradji. ” 
The part most interesting to me was that referring to irrigation in Central 
Queensland, and reporting a conversation with Mr. W. H. Campbell, of 
Barcaldine. I was glad to read this, because there is a lot of important truth 
wrapped up in it, and because behind it are possibilities that many folks in this 
country do not dream of. 
Mr. Campbell has done well to once more direct public attention to the 
Central district and its capabilities. Since that date further articles have 
appeared in the Courter and Queenslander making reference to the development 
of this work on several places visited by their contributor. 
Three years ago the writer of this article had the pleasant duty of working 
in the Barcaldine district in connection with fruit culture and: general 
agriculture, and in the Journal for November, 1899, in an article intitled 
“Notes on Rockhampton and Central District,’ I gave some of the impres- 
sions gained during that visit. Reference was then made to the Alice River 
Settlement, Mr. Campbell’s place, Mr. Cronin’s, and Mr. Hannay’s, on all of 
which I found much to interest me very keenly, and much which convinced me 
then of the great potentialities of the district. 
I trust I may be pardoned for trying to stir up still further an intelligent 
interest in this part of our State, for I have been all along sure that great 
things can, and some day will, be done there. 
We are all tolerably familiar with the old saying, “Settle the people on 
the land,” and, though most of our country is under the hard grip of a merciless 
drought at present, and many folk may be inclined to shrug their shoulders 
and express the opinion that the land is the last place they would think of, I 
still hold the idea most firmly that itis the best thing that can be done for 
both people and land. 
We want population! We want population that will produce! We want 
people to come and take hold of the resources and capabilities of this State, 
and turn them to effect. 
We have frequently heard of the boundless resources of our country, and 
more now than ever has it become recognised that our primary industries must 
be developed. This is true, because here lies the very source of wealth. 
“But,” some may say, “would you take people out into that drought- 
striken desert, and tell them to go ahead, with the idea of making a living and 
a home?” Yes, I would; and I would expect to see highly satisfactory 
results, too. 
Let us glance back a moment at my ‘“ Notes” of 1899, and look at the 
country out that way as I saw it then. This is what I wrote then: “ Now for 
Barcaldine—reached by a long run in the train through desert country, with 
its reddish sand, stunted-looking gidya scrub, and spinifex and turkey-bush, 
presenting an appearance to the eye of the uninitiated and inexperienced 
traveller just about calculated to produce a fit of the ‘blues.’ A curious, dry- 
looking, thirsty, merciless sort of country to some folks, but toa man who 
knows a few things very apt to start him thinking, and wishing to try a thing 
or two. I don’t profess to be a very wise individual, but I got thinking and 
speculating in my own mind as we weut along through it, and I came to certain 
conclusions, which I had a good opportunity to test later on, very much to my 
satisfaction.” 
