416 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL, [1 Drc., 1902. 
In January of this year I visited the Southern States (New South Wales and 
Victoria) for the purpose of ascertaining how the Queensland product would be likely 
to fare, what were the requirements of these newly opened up markets, and other 
points in the interest of the industry in this State. The results of which visit as 
detailed in my report of March, 1902, may be summed up as follows:—That a large 
market exists at our doors; that prices can be obtained that allow a handsome margin 
to the producers; that the industry is capable of extension to nearly twenty times 
its present extent without exceeding the demand or consumption; that the greater 
demand is for high-grade coffees; but that good medium qualities are also appreciated, 
and that the Queensland product can compete favourably with the at present imported 
coffees. 
That attention must be given by the Queensland producers to the curing, 
grading, and general quality in growing the staple, in order to establish a reputation, 
was, bowever, very forcibly shown. 
With regard to prices it may be mentioned here also that the large stocks im- 
pane prior to the arrangement of the present universal tariff, prevented the immediate 
enefit therefrom being apparent. These stocks, which it was computed would last 
about a twelvemonth, wit not be exhausted for some months yet, but are already 
beginning to cause large purchasers to look round for a future source of supply. By 
the time, therefore, that the crops now coming in are harvested, prices may be expected 
to rise somewhat, or in other words, the effect of the tariff will be felt to the benefit 
of growers. {ndeed, purchasers or their representatives, have already made their 
appearance in North Queensland, with the object of ascertaining something of the 
quantity that may be obtainable in the coming season. 
With such prospects as these, and coffee being established on a fairly sound. 
basis from a cultural point of view, it can only be regretted that a larger area is not 
already under cultivation. 
Systematic and methodical work in the field, careful and judicious curing, 
grading, and cleaning, to suit the requirements ef the markets, remain the most im- 
portant factors in the cultivation of the product. Indeed, while Nature supplies so 
many advantages and essentials, these become the only factors, and are not diflicult 
of accomplishment to ensure individual success and collectively the establishment or 
extension of a profitable industry. The application of systematic field and store 
work to the immediate reduction of cost of production, without detriment to quality, 
must always be the aim of growers, rather than, as is regrettably too often the case, 
the agitation for prices to cover the enhanced cost of careless or faulty systems of 
production—a price that lias often to be a fancy one, and considerably above the real 
value of the article. 
Touring has been continued during the past year, and the practical demonstra- 
tion and local, and therefore directly applicable, information and advice made 
available, have given in nearly every case beneficial and gratifying results. Sixteen 
separate tours have been undertaken during the past year, occupying 179 days—an 
increase on last year. Eighty-six individual growers have been visited, but visits 
have only been paid to persons or districts that have applied for my services. The 
districts and places visited include Port Douglas, Kuranda (six times), Myola, 
Mantaka, Hambledon (twice), Lower Russell (twice), Mackay, Mount Jukes, 
Hampden, Mirani, Plane Creek, Eimeo, Rockhampton, Yeppoon, Byfield, Tungamull, 
Maryborough, Pialba, Mount Buderim, Daintree (twice), Atherton (twice). 
The places where coffee estates exist, which it was not found possible to visit this 
year, are Oaklands, Geraldton, Johnstone River, Townsville, Percy Island, Maroochy 
River, and Bloomfield River. " 
The work done by correspondence has included a number of reports on various 
matters affecting coffee cultivation, and on samples of coffee in all stages. The 
applications for information and advice by letter, as well as applications for visits, 
have been numerous. The replying to the former has been systematised and made 
easier, as well as much more satisfactory, by the method of record keeping possible 
by the use of the printed notebooks obtained last year. The incoming correspondence 
has increased somewhat this year, and the outgoing slightly decreased. Articles to 
the Agricultural Journal—(1) “Topping and Suckering,” No. 10, May, 1902; (2) 
“ Coffee Machinery,” June, 1902; (3) “Staking,” No. 11; (4) “ Cost of Production of 
Queensland Coffees,’ December, 1901. It is to be regretted that time did not admit 
of the writing of more of this series of articles. 
HOWARD NEWPORT, Instructor in Coffee Culture. 
