Another Successful Sugar-cane Grower.
One of the most successful growers in the Johnstone River district (North Queensland), is Mr. David Hunter, of Goondi. Prior to starting cane-growing eight years ago, he was overseer of labour for the Colonial Sugar Refining Company at Goondi. He started with very little capital, but the terms on which the Colonial Sugar Refining Company sold him land were so reasonable that he had no difficulty in not only meeting his engagements, but also making a profit out of his labours. Good cultivation and manuring with mill refuse were the reasons for his success. His first season’s crop in 1906 yielded 1,820 tons, the net profit therefrom, after paying all liabilities, being 3s. 4d. per ton. In 1907 he cut 1,910 tons, and realised a net profit of 8s. per ton; in 1908, 1,861 tons, net profit, 10s. 11d. per ton; in 1909, 2,134 tons, net profit 11s. 6d. per ton; in 1910, 92 acres yielded 2,832 tons, net profit 12s. 5d. per ton. His average yield per acre for six years was 28 tons. In addition to mill refuse, he used green and dry manures to fertilise his land. He paid his permanent field workers 30s. per week and found. Yields for 1911–12:—1911: 90 acres, 2,423 tons; 1912: 64 acres, 1,365 tons. The best yields per acre were 43 tons in 1910 and 40 tons in 1911.