ntable 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