or healthier climate in any other country of equal area. Our
climate has its disadvantages, no doubt, particularly our dry spells,
but show me the country that has a perfect climate. We have
disadvantages, but, at the same time, we have great advantages;
advantages that, in my opinion, outweigh our disadvantages.

Our eastern seaboard, extending from the New South Wales border in the
south, a few miles to the south of the 28th degree of south latitude, to
Cape York, some 20 miles north of the 11th degree of south latitude,
contains our best districts for the growth of tropical and semi-tropical
fruits. The coastal climate, however, varies considerably, and is
governed by the proximity or otherwise of the coast ranges. When they
approach the coast there is always more rainfall, and as they recede the
rainfall decreases. With one or two exceptions, where the coastal range
is a considerable distance inland, the eastern coastal districts have a
sufficient rainfall for the successful culture of most fruits, though
they are subject to a dry spell during winter and spring. During this
period of the year, the weather is extremely enjoyable; in fact, it is
hard to better it, even in our extreme North. But as summer approaches,
thunderstorms become prevalent, and are accompanied by more or less
humid conditions, which, though good for fruit-development, are not
quite so enjoyable as the drier months. Summer is our rainy season, and
the rainfalls are occasionally very heavy. The weather is warm and
oppressive, particularly in the more tropical districts; but these very
conditions are those that are best suited to the production of tropical
fruits. The climate of those districts having the heaviest summer
rainfall is somewhat trying to Europeans, particularly women, but it is
by no means unhealthy, and in the hottest parts, having the coast range
nearly on the coast, there is, within a few miles, a tableland of from
2,000 to 4,000 feet elevation, where the climate is cool and bracing,
and where the jaded man or woman can soon throw off the feeling of
lassitude brought about by the heat and humidity of the seaboard. In
autumn the weather soon cools off, drier conditions supervene, and
living again becomes a pleasure in one of the best and healthiest
climates to be met with anywhere. Practically all the district under
review has a sufficient rainfall for the growth of all fruits suitable
to the climate, though there are occasionally d