large size, full flavour, and handsome appearance. Wine
grapes also do well here, and some excellent wine has been made, both
dark and light, natural and fortified. I have no doubt that eventually
good rich port and the best of sherries will be produced in this
district, as the soil and climate are admirably adapted to the
production of these classes of wine. Our difficulty, so far, has been to
find out the exact kinds of grapes to grow for this purpose, but now I
am glad to say that we are on the right track, and the excellence of
Queensland ports and sherries will be a recognised thing before many
years are past. There is a big and good opening for up-to-date
viticulturists in this State. We have any amount of suitable land at low
rates, and, thanks to the generous sun heat of our interior, we can grow
grapes capable of producing wines equal to the best that can be turned
out by Spain, Portugal, or Madeira. In those districts that do not
possess such an extreme climate, such as the coastal downs and the
Stanthorpe districts, good wines of a lighter character can be produced,
and, as already stated, good wines are now being made on the coast.

It is only now that we are beginning to realise the value of the grape
to Queensland, as, until our production increased to such an extent that
our local markets were being over-supplied, our growers made no attempt
to supply outside markets. Now this is being done, and better means of
handling and packing the fruit, so as to enable it to be shipped long
distances, are now coming into vogue. With improved methods of handling
and packing, we have a greatly extended market, in which we will have no
local competition, hence will be able to secure good returns, so much so
that I consider that grape-growing in Queensland has a very promising
outlook for some years to come at any rate. In addition to growing
grapes to supply the fresh-fruit trade and for winemaking, our western
country is capable of producing good raisins and sultanas. So far, this
industry has not been entered into commercially, the fresh fruit
realising far too high a price for it to pay to convert it into raisins.
Still, with increased production, this will have to take place, and when
it does I am of opinion that we will be able to turn out a very saleable
article. The growing of grapes here certainly requires considerable
experience of a practical nature. This is not at all hard to obtain, and
there are no insurmou