fully deep and fertile, and vary in color from black to dark chocolate and red. These latter soils are admirably adapted for cereals, lucerne, maize, grasses, &c., &c. There are other forest lands of a sandy nature, which, though poor in quality, are often, by their proximity to markets, rendered profitable both for grazing and agricultural purposes, while the indigenous timber yields a handsome return for labor, independent of the increased value of the land from its being cleared.

Of the agricultural capabilities of the inland plains of the far west very little experience has been obtained. They consist of two descriptious of soil-a clay on which grows luxuriant and fattening herbage, and a soil of a much inferior nature upon which the useless grass termed spinifex grows.

The success which has attended the water boring operations of the Hydraulic Department will, by encouraging irrigation upon the first of the above soils, make much of this fertile land available for the use of the agriculturist.

The other varieties of soil met with are those of the table lands, Silurian Hills, Roma Sand, and Sandy Sea shore. The first of these is wonderfully fertile, and is of a deep red or chocolate color, and originally covered by thick scrub, whose decaying vegetation adds to the richness of the soil. At Roma the sandy loam has been proved to be unsurpassed for the growth of the vine, and latterly cereals of excellent quality have been produced upon it. The third of the soils under consideration is perhaps the poorest found in the coastal districts, and consists of a thin film of loam covering poor gravel, often with silurian rock near the surface. This soil, however, trenched and manured, grows fruit and ornamental trees luxuriantly, while in the flats or gullies in their neighbourhood the soils are much used for market gardening purposes. In the tropical portions of the colony the sandy seashore soils will provide cocoanuts, pineapples, and the mango, in great profusion, and several plantations for the growth of these now exist.

The Darling Downs district to the west of Brisbane is the centre of arable farming, and here the soil is of a volcanic origin, black, chocolate, or red in color, and generally of a clayey nature on the plains, but crumbling with the action of the sun after rains. Here wheat, oats, barley, and rye are grown. Sown from April to June, they are reaped from September to November.

The "rust" fungus is the great trouble to the wheat grower here, and so far no remedy has been discovered which will eradicate this pest. Experiments have been made with varieties of wheat obtained from India, America and elsewhere, but hitherto with but partial success.

For green crops lucerne is found most suitable, and this thrives well on any of the deep rich soils, where also root crops, such as turnips, mangolds and potatoes, produce heavy yields.

In the coastal, scrub land districts, maize takes the place of wheat, and yields enormous crops. Harvests of this crop vary

from 40 to 80 bushels to the acre, while the land on which it is grown is often merely "tickled with the hoe"-maize generally being the first crop grown by the new settler--and in the Northern districts two crops of it can be produced in one year.

The sweet potatoe is another most useful plant, either as food for man or beast, both root and tops contributing to its universal use the latter for table use being as good as spinach. In the North two crops of this plant can be cultivated yearly, a yield of from 8 to 20 tons of roots and an equal weight of tops, being produced per acre.

Millet and Sorghum are also produced, but to a more limited extent, and are used for seed and fodder, which they produce in great quantity, while maturing in three to four months.

In the southern portions of the colony arrowroot grows readily upon scrub lands, and also upon arable lands when well tilled. Pure water is necessary for the manufacture of the farina, but the machinery required is of a simple and inexpensive character.

Among the admirable series of pamphlets published by the Lands Department, that on " Arrowroot," by Mr. Samuel Grimes, one of the pioneers of this industry, affords an ample guide to the growth and manufacture of this useful food,

The

Tobacco of capital quality grows in every part of the colony, but requires considerable labour for picking and curing the leaves. There is great demand for the leaf, which finds a ready sale. labour of children is much utilized in the growth of this article, which is chiefly carried on by the German farmer. The same remarks apply also to cotton, which grows easily and produces in abundance.

Rice is another prolific crop more especially in the north— where it is the product of excellent quality. Queensland has been proved to be, in its soil and climate, admirably suited for the growth of coffee--more especially on the scrub soil hills. The cultivation of the tea plant has also been experimentally conducted with success.

The Acclimatization Society of Brisbane has done much to introduce and to disseminate information upon the cultivation of many plants of economic value-and with the increase of population and greater knowledge of the adaptability of the soil and climate for the growth of these plants, the attention of our farmers will, no doubt, be given to their profitable production.

The bee keeping industry has, withing the last few years, been considerably extended in Queensland, and many of the establishments devoted to it are conducted upon the most improved and scientific methods. The Beekeepers' Association of Brisbane issues a monthly journal, and by papers and otherwise disseminates much useful knowledge as to the best systems, &c., adapted to the colony. The eucalyptus forest affords a perennial harvest for the bees, which need never be idle.

The Mulberry grows well in the colony, and being the staple food for the silk worm, the production of silk on a profitable scale is merely a question of time, as silk of best quality has been produced and manufactured, although only on a small

scale.

Dairy farming is another most profitable source of employment, and one which is constantly expanding. The price of butter is high, and the demand far in excess of the supply. The dairyman has only recently realised the importance of the proper and systematic conduct of the dairy, and many establishments are now turning out butter of first-class quality all the year round, and with the choice of fodder which the dairyman commands for winter feed, he has every facility for the production of a superior article, while by the continued addition to the population of the towns he has the advantage of an ever-increasing market. Very little has yet been done in the manufacture of cheese. There is no doubt, however, that a profitable industry could be established in this article.

Pigs are at present comparatively few in number, but breeding has occupied considerable attention, and ere long we may expect an immense increase, as suitable food is readily obtainable.

The extent of the capability of Queensland for horticultural purposes is as yet unknown, but from what has actually been accomplished in the acclimatization of the fruits, vegetables, and flowers of both temperate and tropical climes, there would seem to be hardly any limit to its range.

Most of the annual temperate horticultural products can be grown in the southern districts of the colony, and most successfully so in Darling Downs. There are seen all the fruits, vegetables, and flowers, which are such favorites with the English speaking people, as reminiscent of the old country, and with irrigation, there is undoubtedly an immense field for their most profitable growth.

Among fruits are found apple, pear, plum, peach, apricot, nectarine medlar, mulberry, grape, fig. almond, quince, cherry, chestnut, walnut, filbert, olive, passion fruit, granadilla, pomegranate, persimmon, loquat, lemon, orange, lime and shaddock. &c. &c.

Viticulture is most successfully pursued in this region, and wine making is an industry increasing yearly in importance, which, with greater knowledge of the requirements of soil and climate, may be anticipated to rank as one of the foremost sources of Queensland wealth.

All the British vegetables are successfully cultivated on the Downs, and although in the neigbourhood of the towns market gardening is almost monopolised by the Chinaman, it is merely a question of time for the Australian gardener to find in it a profitable and increasing source of income.

In flowers, Southern Queensland produces all the British favorites in every variety, the rose especially attaining to great perfection, but lilac, honeysuckle, holly, ivy, jasmine, pansies, violets, chrysanthemums, and of the others grow many luxuriantly.

In the sub-tropical portions and in the coastal districts the banana, pine apple, mango, orange, lime, lemon, are at home; while among vegetables the sweet potato, yams, and many others, afford variety for the table.

In the more northern districts there is a large extent of country in which all tropical fruits flourish to perfection, including the banana, cocoanut and date palms, pine apple, mango, Jack fruit, orange, custard apples, &c.

Ginger, pepper, nutmegs, &c., are indigenous, and the climate and soil are well suited for the growth of vanilla, cinnamon, allspice, &c. Many of these are already acclimatised, but in this region the cultivation of vegetables beyond sweet potatoes. yams, &c., is very limited. The flowers of Northern Queensland are gorgeous in their bloom and foliage. All plants which require protection in the south grow here in the open, while indigenous orchids are found in great variety.

For the agriculturist generally Queensland affords a field for attaining ease, and possibly even affluence within a limited term. The climate is genial and pleasant. The winter is sufficiently cool to make his work enjoyable. He is not debarred from work by frost or snow-flowers and fruits which elsewhere require the lasshouse to bring to perfection grow here in profusion to decorate and adorn his house. The settlement of a small yeomanry is encouraged by all parties. The farmer on his own. freehold is thus his own master, subject to no landlord. The facilities for educating his family enable him to bring them up intelligently, while its increase gives him no anxiety for the future. In short, Queensland may be described as very little short of an earthly paradise for the farmer.

VIII-Fauna and Flora.

In a brief sketch of this nature it would be impossible to do more than summarise the important nature of the Queensland flora and fauna, and indeed a large portion of the colony is as yet quite unexplored, both as regards the plant and the animal world, and in the rich scrubs especially the botanist and timber getter will find a rich harvest awaiting them.

The indigenous woods of Queensland are of great beauty, utility, and variety. In the Commissioner's collection are shown over 500 specimens, and did time and opportunity permit it would be possible to largely supplement this list, which Mr. F. M. Bailey, F.L.S., the Government botanist, and one of the Commissioners has, in the special catalogue published in connection with the exhibit, described in a popular manner.

As the indigenous woods are better known, the variety of purposes for which they can be utilized is more fully appreciated, and they are brought more and more into use by the builder and cabinet maker. The collection of woods shown at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition in London tended greatly to this end, and was much admired. It behoves the Legislature to adopt means to prevent the waste of the vast heritage which the colony possesses in her forests, and under the judicious regulations and fostering care of a Department of Forestry, an inexhaustible source of revenue will be found in this industry.

The barks of many of the Queensland trees and shrubs furnish excellent tanning material, particularly those of the gums Acacia. The fruits of many other trees contain oil in abundance, while the foliage of many are rich in essential oils of delightful fragrance and high medicinal virtue, similar properties being also found in the barks of several trees and in many herbaceous plants; and all of which are sought after by the druggist all over the world.

Large numbers of the native plants yield excellent fibres, whilst from others rich dyes of brilliant colour are obtained. The bee keeper finds the Queensland flora well suited to his occupation, our trees flowering all the year round, affording ample work for the bee and profit for the master.

No country has richer pasture than Queensland. Three-fourths of the grasses found in Australia occur in Queensland, and among them are found mixed a large number of nutritious herbs which in no small degree contribute to the excellence of the pasture, In the Queensland Court will be found a collection of some of the grasses of the colony, all of which are described in Mr. F. M. Bailey's catalogue of grasses.