t forms a splendid shelter
from the sun for both man and beast. So far, very little attention has
been given to its growth, few persons knowing how to fertilise the
flowers or even taking the trouble to see that they have plants of both
sexes. There is no reason why this should be so, as there would be a
good local demand for the properly-cured fruit, and I believe that, were
its culture carried out in a thorough business manner, it would become a
profitable industry, and one capable of supplying our Australian market.

[Illustration: Date Palms in fruit at Barcaldine.]

THE PECAN NUT.

Another little-known fruit which does well in this State. It belongs to
the hickory family, and closely resembles the walnut. There are trees
now growing in the Maryborough district that are some 15 inches in
diameter at the trunk, and from 40 to 50 feet in height, that bear
regular and heavy crops of nuts, and that have stood drought and been
under flood. For years the trees have received no cultivation, and they
have shown themselves to be as hardy as the adjacent indigenous trees.
The trees are easily raised from seed, and come into bearing in about
eight years. Like all nut fruits, it is advisable to set the nut where
the tree is to remain permanently, if it is possible to do so, as it
produces a very deep taproot, with few laterals, and is consequently
difficult to shift. The soil on which it does best is an alluvial loam,
and, if possible, it should not be more than 30 feet to water, as the
tree, being a very deep rooter, will penetrate a free soil to that
depth. It will do on other free loamy soils, but will not make the same
growth as when planted in free alluvials. It has been tested in several
parts of the State, and it is probable that it will be found to thrive
over a considerable area of the coastal and coastal tablelands
districts. It produces an olive or acorn shaped nut, having a thin
shell, and of a flavour closely resembling that of a good walnut, and
will be a valuable addition to our list of nut fruits once it becomes
better known.

[Illustration: Date Fruit (natural size).]

JAPANESE PLUMS.

All varieties of this fruit thrive well and bear heavily in the more
Southerly part of our coast country, as well as on the country
immediately adjacent to it, the coastal tablelands, and several other
parts of the State. The trees are rapid growers, come into bearing very
early, and often bear enormous cro