Fruits of Queensland

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26552

Title

Fruits of Queensland

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Albert H. Benson's 1914 guide promotes Queensland as a fertile haven for fruit cultivation, contrasting its healthy climate and abundant resources with the overcrowded, difficult conditions of older nations. Targeted at potential settlers, the text outlines profitable opportunities in growing diverse tropical and temperate fruits, emphasizing a life of honest work, natural freedom, and economic stability for families seeking a new home in Australia.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in 1914 by Albert H. Benson, Director of Agriculture in Hobart, Tasmania, 'Fruits of Queensland' serves as both an agricultural manual and a persuasive invitation for emigration to Australia. The text argues that Queensland's greatest need is population to develop its vast natural resources, specifically its soil and climate, which are capable of producing almost every commercial fruit with high perfection. Benson contrasts the 'congested towns' of the Old and New Worlds, where employment is scarce and life is difficult, with Queensland's open country, which offers a healthy climate, cheap land, and a life free from the artificiality and severe cold of northern latitudes. The book details the specific advantages of fruit-growing in Queensland, noting that tree life grows rapidly and trees come into bearing much sooner than in colder climates. Benson categorizes suitable soils and climates for various regions: the Eastern Seaboard for tropical fruits like the banana, pineapple, mango, and mangosteen; the Coastal Tablelands for deciduous fruits; and the Central Tablelands for grapes, dates, and citrus. He describes the cultivation methods, soil requirements, and characteristics of numerous species, including the papaw (noted for its digestive enzyme papain), the cocoa-nut palm (profitable on sandy coastal soils), granadilla, passion fruit, custard apples, and various citrus varieties. Benson also addresses temperate fruits, explaining how frost protection and specific soil conditions allow for the successful cultivation of apples, pears, plums, apricots, cherries, and almonds in the coastal tableland districts. He highlights the rapid advancement of grape culture, noting that Queensland's early ripening allows growers to secure early markets before competition from the Southern States. The text includes a comprehensive list of fruits and vegetables grown in the state, ranging from native species like the Queensland nut to introduced varieties like the Davidsonia plum. Throughout the work, Benson emphasizes the social and economic benefits of settling in Queensland. He describes the people as natural, generous, and hospitable, noting that life is easier with less necessity for expensive clothing or housing. He asserts that while big profits are not guaranteed, a comfortable living is achievable through up-to-date, business-like industry. The book concludes by offering practical advice to beginners, pointing them toward the Queensland Agricultural Department for expert guidance on soil suitability and cultivation techniques, ensuring settlers start on the right lines to avoid common mistakes and achieve success in this 'country that has not been advertised or puffed up' but possesses natural advantages that cannot be excelled elsewhere.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Fiction
• Science