At the present time there are hundreds of citrus trees
growing practically wild in different parts of the coastal country that
are in vigorous health and producing heavy crops of good fruit, even
though they are uncultivated, unpruned, unmanured, and have to hold
their own against a vigorous growth of native and introduced shrubs,
trees, and weeds. When the orange, lime, citron, or common lemon become
established under conditions that are favourable for their proper
development, they apparently become as hardy as the indigenous plants,
and are able to hold their own against them, thus showing how well the
climate and suitable soils of coastal Queensland are adapted for the
cultivation of citrus fruits. The commercial cultivation of citrus
fruits is at present practically confined to this coastal area, the most
important centres, starting from the South, being Nerang, Coomera,
Redland Bay, Brisbane, Enoggera, Gatton, Grantham, Toowoomba, North
Coast line from North Pine to Gympie including the Blackall Range and
Buderim Mountain; the Wide Bay district, including Maryborough, Tiaro,
Mount Bauple, Gayndah, Pialba, and Burrum; the Burnett district,
including Bundaberg and Mullet Creek; the Fitzroy district, including
Rockhampton and Yeppoon; Bowen, Cardwell, Murray River, Tully River,
Cairns and district, Port Douglas, and Cooktown. In addition to these
districts a few citrus fruits are grown at Mackay, Townsville, and
several other places. Citrus fruits are also grown further inland, but
their cultivation here is largely dependent on the ability to supply the
trees with suitable water for irrigation during dry spells. Frosts have
also to be taken into consideration, for, though the days are warm, the
temperature often falls considerably during the night, owing to the
great radiation, and citrus-trees in districts like Roma, Emerald, &c.,
are liable to injury thereby. West of Emerald, at Bogantungan,
Barcaldine, and other places, citrus fruits do very well with
irrigation. Some of the finest lemons, Washington Navel, and other
improved varieties of oranges are grown here to perfection, the lemons
especially being of high quality, and curing down equal to the imported
Italian or Californian article. The soil in many of the inland districts
is well suited to the culture of citrus fruits, and when the trees are
given the necessary water, and are uninjured by frost, they produce
excellent fruit. I stated, some short distance bac