Several kinds of figs can be grown successfully in the Southern coast
districts, the first crop ripening before Christmas, but the second or
main crop is often a failure, owing to the fact that it ripens during
our wet season, and the fruit consequently sours and bursts. As one
recedes from the coast, the fruit does better, and is less liable to
injury from excessive wet. The coastal tablelands and the more Western
Downs grow it well, and the trees, when planted on soil of a rich
friable nature, grow to a large size and bear heavily. Many varieties
are grown, which are used fresh or converted into jam, but no attempt
has been made to dry them, though it is possible that this industry may
eventually be found profitable in the drier parts of the State, where
there is water available for the trees' use at certain periods of the
year, but not during the fruiting period, as it cannot well be too dry
then if a good quality of dried figs is to be turned out. This fruit is
easily grown, and is not at all subject to serious pests, so that anyone
who will take reasonable care can produce all that is required for home
use or local sale, as its softness renders it a difficult fruit to ship
long distances in a hot climate.