r, 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