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Pear Trees 30 Years Old in Blossom, Mr Smith's Orchard, Broadwater, Stanthorpe

Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

Pears are from the rosaceae family, close cousins to apples and quinces, and also related to almonds, a simpatico familial member. They’re an ancient fruit with references in Greek mythology, linked to Venus the Roman goddess of love, were one of the first fruits to be cultivated in Britain, and were grown in Australia upon the arrival of the First Fleet.

They are a diverse group, with many types of sub-species, but the main distinction is between the European and Asian pears. It’s thought that both developed along parallel time lines but in different parts of the world. European pears tend to have an elongated shape and are usually buttery, soft fleshed, sweet and subtle. Asian pears, including nashis, are often more rounded in shape, with a crunchy texture and a sweetness that’s balanced with a hint of tart acidity; they also have a different cell

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Picking Black Diamond Plums, Ballandean

Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

Rich in vitamins A, C and E and a great source of dietary fibre and potassium, Australian peaches, nectarines, plums and apricots are some of the world’s best eating fruit thanks to Australia’s leading horticultural practices.

Australia’s warm climate and hot, dry summers promote sweeter, juicier summer stonefruit, and its proximity to Asia enables lower freight costs and better access to fresh markets in the region.

Plums are far more diverse than their stonefruit relatives coming in a wider range of shapes, sizes, skin colours and tastes which vary from extremely sweet to quite tart. As a result of the wide range of colours it is quite difficult to know exactly which fruit to select. Some cultivars will become dull and soft as they ripen and lose their acid flavour. other varieties will remain firm as they ripen and will be very high in sugar straight from

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Fruit Orchard, Ballandean, Stanthorpe District

Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

Stanthorpe Orchards.

The season of mellow fruitfulness is in full swing at Stanthorpe, and the orchards are well worth a visit (writes a correpsondent). It is not many years since this district was condemned by agriculturists for its sterility, yet now the landscape is diversified by orchards in all stages of development.
The transformation has been almost magical in its rapidity. The early apples and peaches are now ready, and are being despatched daily in large quantities to the markets. One morning last week six and a half tons of fruit were sent from Ballandean siding to Brisbane, one orchardist accounting for more than 300 cases.
It is gratifying to know that the crop is unusually prolific, and that there is an entire absence of the fruit fly. A stroll through an orchard at this season cannot fail to be absorbing – to the palate. If

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