No work on fruit-growing in Queensland, however small, would be complete
without due reference being made to the vine, the last but by no means
the least important of our many fruits. Although the cultivation of this
most useful and popular fruit has not reached to anything like the
dimensions that vine culture has attained in the Southern States,
particularly in the production of wine, there is no reason why it should
not do so at no very distant future. We have many advantages not
possessed by our Southern neighbours in the culture of the grape, the
first and most important of which is that our crop ripens so much
earlier than that of the South that we can secure the whole of the early
markets without fear of any serious opposition. Until quite recently,
grape culture was in a very backward state in Queensland, the grapes
grown on the coast being nearly all American varieties, which are by no
means the best wine or table sorts. A few grapes of European origin were
grown on the Downs and in the Roma district, but their cultivation was
practically confined thereto. Now, however, things have altered very
much for the better. Many good varieties of European grapes have been
proved suitable to the coastal climate of the Southern half of the
State, and many inland districts other than Roma and the Downs have also
proved that they, too, can and do grow first-class fruit both for table
and wine.
[Illustration: Grosse Koelner Vine in Fruit, Roma District (Gros
Colman).]
[Illustration: Picking Grapes, Roma.]
Now the culture of the grape extends over a great part of the State,
from the coast to the interior; in the latter, its successful growth
depending on the necessary suitable water for irrigation, and on the
coast to our knowledge of how to keep fungus pests, such as anthracnose,
in check by winter treatment and spring spraying.
In the Brisbane district many kinds of excellent table grapes are now
grown, which meet with a ready sale, such as the well-known Black
Hamburgh of English vineries, the Sweetwater, Snow's Muscat Hamburgh,
Royal Ascot, &c., as well as all the better kinds of American grapes,
such as Iona, Goethe, Wilder, &c. A little wine is made, but more
attention is given to table fruit.
[Illustration: A Grape Vine in Fruit, Stanthorpe District.]
[Illustration: Madresfield Court Grape.]
In the Maryborough, Gympie, and Bundaberg districts, similar grapes are
also grown, and do well, ripening somewhat earlier than they do in
Brisbane; and in the Rockhampton district, right on the tropic of
Capricorn, some of the best table grapes I have seen in the State are
produced. Further north a few grapes are grown, but not in any great
quantities, and I consider that the profitable cultivation of good table
grapes on the coast extends from our Southern border to a short distance
north of the tropic of Capricorn and inland to all districts where there
is either a sufficient rainfall or a supply of water from artesian
bores, or otherwise, to enable them to be grown. Grapes here, as in
other parts of the world, like moderately rich, free, loamy soils of
good depth, free sandy loams, and free alluvial loams. In such soils
they make a vigorous growth, and are heavy bearers. The granitic soils
of the Stanthorpe district, that produce such good peaches, plums, and
apples, grow excellent grapes, which ripen late. They are of large size,
and conspicuous for their fine colour. The sandy soils of Roma and the
Maranoa country generally grow excellent wine and table grapes, the
latter being of large size, full flavour, and handsome appearance. Wine
grapes also do well here, and some excellent wine has been made, both
dark and light, natural and fortified. I have no doubt that eventually
good rich port and the best of sherries will be produced in this
district, as the soil and climate are admirably adapted to the
production of these classes of wine. Our difficulty, so far, has been to
find out the exact kinds of grapes to grow for this purpose, but now I
am glad to say that we are on the right track, and the excellence of
Queensland ports and sherries will be a recognised thing before many
years are past. There is a big and good opening for up-to-date
viticulturists in this State. We have any amount of suitable land at low
rates, and, thanks to the generous sun heat of our interior, we can grow
grapes capable of producing wines equal to the best that can be turned
out by Spain, Portugal, or Madeira. In those districts that do not
possess such an extreme climate, such as the coastal downs and the
Stanthorpe districts, good wines of a lighter character can be produced,
and, as already stated, good wines are now being made on the coast.
It is only now that we are beginning to realise the value of the grape
to Queensland, as, until our production increased to such an extent that
our local markets were being over-supplied, our growers made no attempt
to supply outside markets. Now this is being done, and better means of
handling and packing the fruit, so as to enable it to be shipped long
distances, are now coming into vogue. With improved methods of handling
and packing, we have a greatly extended market, in which we will have no
local competition, hence will be able to secure good returns, so much so
that I consider that grape-growing in Queensland has a very promising
outlook for some years to come at any rate. In addition to growing
grapes to supply the fresh-fruit trade and for winemaking, our western
country is capable of producing good raisins and sultanas. So far, this
industry has not been entered into commercially, the fresh fruit
realising far too high a price for it to pay to convert it into raisins.
Still, with increased production, this will have to take place, and when
it does I am of opinion that we will be able to turn out a very saleable
article. The growing of grapes here certainly requires considerable
experience of a practical nature. This is not at all hard to obtain, and
there are no insurmountable difficulties to the beginner, once he has
learnt how to work his land so as to cause it to retain moisture during
a dry spell, and to plant and prune his vines. These are matters in
which any beginner can obtain practical advice from the Queensland
Agricultural Department, as the Government of Queensland, recognising
the importance of fruit-growing, grape-growing, and general agriculture
to the State, have devoted considerable sums of money to the
establishment of experiment farms, orchards, and vineyards in different
parts of the State. All these Government institutions are under the
control of thoroughly qualified managers, who are willing at all times
to give any assistance to beginners, thereby enabling the latter to keep
free from mistakes, and to obtain the best returns as the result of
their labour. Instructors, thoroughly conversant with the State as a
whole, are also available for giving practical advice, so that there is
no necessity for a beginner, through lack of experience, to waste any
time in finding out for himself what his soil and climate are suited
for. He can start on the right lines from the beginning, and keep to
right lines if he will only take advantage of the advice, based on
practical experience, that is given him. Queensland is a good land for
the intending fruit-grower. We offer you good soil, a choice of
climates, suitable for the growing of practically every kind of
commercial fruit, a healthy climate to live in, cheap land, free
education for your children, and free advice from competent experts for
yourselves. This is a country that has not been advertised or puffed up;
that is, in consequence, not by any means well known; but it is a
country that, taken all in all, will take a lot of beating when one is
looking out for a home. Its natural advantages and the other inducements
it offers to intending settlers, particularly those interested in fruit
culture, cannot, in my opinion, be equalled, and certainly not excelled,
elsewhere; and, as I stated in the beginning of this paper, my opinion
is based on practical experience gained in various parts of the
fruit-producing parts of the world.
[Illustration: Black Mammoth Grape.]
[Illustration: Cinsaut Grape.]
List of Fruits Grown in Queensland.
Almonds, several varieties
Almond, Fiji
Apples, many varieties
Apricots, many varieties
Averrhoa
Avocada Pear
Bael Fruit
Banana, several varieties
Barberry
Blackberry
Brazilian Cherry
Bread Fruit
Burdekin Plum
Carob Bean
Chalta
Cherries, several varieties
Chestnut--Spanish
Chestnut--Japanese
Chinese Raisin
Citrons, several varieties
Cocoa-nut, many varieties
Custard Apples (Cherimoyers)
Dates
Davidsonia Plum
Figs, several varieties
Gooseberries--Cape
Gooseberries--Otaheitan
Granadillas
Grapes, many varieties
Guavas, many varieties
Jujube
Kai Apple
Kumquat
Litchi
Longan
Lemons, several varieties
Limes, several varieties
Loquats
Mandarins, several varieties
Mangoes, many varieties
Mangosteen--Sour or Coochin York
Medlars
Melons, many varieties
Monstera
Mulberries, several varieties
Natal Plum
Nectarines, several varieties
Olives, several varieties
Oranges, many varieties
Papaw, several types
Passion Fruit, several types
Peaches--Persian, many varieties
Peaches--China, several varieties
Peaches--Ceylon, several varieties
Pears, many varieties
Pecan Nut
Persimmons, several varieties
Pineapples, several varieties
Pistachio Nut
Plums--European, several varieties
Plums--Japanese, several varieties
Plums--American, several varieties
Pomegranate
Quince--European, several varieties
Quince--Japanese
Queensland Nut
Raspberries, several types
Rosellas
Rose Apple
Sapodilla Plum
Shaddock or Pomelo, several types
Star Apple
Strawberries, many varieties
Tamarinds
Tree Tomato
Vi Apple
Walnut
Whampee
List of Vegetables Grown in Queensland.
Artichokes--Jerusalem and Globe
Asparagus
Beans of all kinds
Beetroot
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Cabbage--Chinese
Capsicums
Cardoons
Carrots
Cassava
Cauliflowers
Celery
Chicory
Chokos
Cress
Cucumbers
Earth Nuts (Peanuts)
Egg Plant
Endive
Eschalots
Garlic
Herbs--all kinds
Horseradish
Kohl-rabi
Leeks
Lettuce
Mushrooms
Mustard
Nasturtiums
Ockra
Onions
Peas
Potatoes--English and Sweet
Pumpkins
Radishes
Rhubarb
Salsify
Seakale
Spinach
Squashes
Sweet Corn
Swedes
Taro
Tomatoes
Turnips
Vegetable Marrows
Yams
By Authority: ANTHONY JAMES CUMMING, Government Printer, Brisbane.