Mr. J. T. Coates, of Harveston, Rockhampton (Central Queensland), was formerly a mining engineer before he took up 327 acres on the bank of the Fitzroy River. He has 10 acres under fruits—1,100 papaws, 150 citrus (including oranges, limes, lemons, cumquots), 500 grape vines, 50 custard apples, 20 mangoes, also figs, bananas, apples, pears, peaches, quinces, persimmons, pineapples, granadillas, &c. There are also 30 acres under lucerne, 11 acres of Japanese millet, and 5 acres of sweet potatoes. White Leghorns and Black Orpingtons of pure strains are largely raised, the former by the thousands. Mr. Coates also pays much attention to dairying, and his herd of grade Shorthorns give good returns monthly. Although his fruit trees only started to bear last year his returns in this direction amounted to £150. From poultry and eggs he received £150, dairying £101, chaff £180, and miscellaneous £35. The total receipts from all sources were £616. Last year Mr. Coates paid away over £400 in wages.
Inexperience no Obstacle to Success.
Among the new settlers in the Stanwell district (Central Queensland) are quite a number who started with limited capital, and no previous experience in farming. Mr. T. P. Connor was a miner, and had £500. Not only is he dairying, growing crops, and raising pigs, but he is also breeding beef cattle and horses with much success. Messrs. J. Thomas (stockman) and J. Todman (miner) started with £250, and are now doing well out of general farming, dairying, pig-raising, &c. Portion of the farm is irrigated, the water being lifted by a pump from Neerkol Creek, and conveyed in galvanised iron piping to the cultivation areas. They estimate the cost to irrigate an acre at 8s., exclusive of their own labour. Mr. W. H. Teakel (a Victorian farmer) started with £400, and says that he is doing better than he did in Victoria. Every year he is getting good crops of maize, lucerne, wheat, pumpkins, potatoes, &c. He has a small herd of grade Ayrshires, and a few pigs.
The Plunkett family have been farming for three years, and are getting splendid returns from their farming operations. They have a fairly large area under maize, lucerne, potatoes, &c., milk 15 grade Ayrshires daily, and breed horses and pigs for market. Mr. Plunkett paid £1,400 for the farm of 411 acres as a going concern for his sons.
Had no Previous Agricultural Experience.
Mr. W. J. Barber selected 640 acres of dense vine scrub and brigalow country a few miles from Banana (Central Queensland) in 1913 at 10s. per acre. He came from Young (New South Wales), with £190, and had no previous experience of agricultural life. About 46 acres of the scrub have been cleared and planted with Rhodes grass and maize, the latter being sown with the aid of a hand planter. From 30 to 40 acres more scrub are being cleared, and will be put under cultivation when it is ready. The first year’s outlay on the farm amounted to about £190.
Made a Start with £150.
Mr. Peter Jensen started in the Banana district (Central Queensland) with £150 by taking up 880 acres, a little over a year ago, at 10s. per acre. The country comprises brigalow scrub and open downs. He has cleared 50 acres, and put in Rhodes grass and maize. A further 50 acres is to be cleared, and planted with Rhodes grass and maize. Mr. Jensen’s first crop of maize of 34 acres yielded 900 bushels.
On the High Road to Success.
Mr. Charles Roderick is one of the pioneers of the agricultural industry in the Banana district, Central Queensland. He has 1,280 acres of land, for which he paid 10s. per acre. In addition to raising crops, Mr. Roderick is engaging in dairying and pig raising. Last year he obtained 840 bushels of maize from 33 acres. This year he has 27 acres under maize, and 33 acres of Rhodes grass. Mr. Roderick was previously a publican.