Queensland is almost outside the limit of the successful growth of this
fruit, but not quite, as we produce the first fruit to ripen in
Australia, which realises a high price on account of its earliness. Many
varieties have been tested, but, so far, no one variety can be said to
be a complete success in our climate, nor do the trees grow to the large
size or produce as heavily as they do in the Southern States, where the
winters are more clearly defined than they are in Queensland. Another
drawback to the growth of this fruit is that the soils of our coldest
district are not the best of cherry soils. The cherry likes a deep,
moderately rich loam, whereas we are growing it mostly on sandy loams of
a granitic origin. What fruit we do grow is good, and pays well on
account of its earliness, but I do not consider that this State will
ever be able to compete with the South in the growth of the cherry.
[Illustration: Litchi, Mossman District.]