When we think of Proserpine and agriculture, we think primarily of fields of sugar cane however primary industry has been varied since 1862 when Bode first selected land in the O’Connell area. Many small crops/livestock were commercially “grown” during the ensuing years - horse, sheep, beef and dairy cattle, coffee, tobacco, bananas, tomatoes, and citrus are just some of these.
Tobacco was first grown in Kelsey Creek and Banana Pocket. Another area that was briefly mentioned in newspaper records was Strathdickie, an area of flat land farmed Japanese settlers.
Initially, Kelsey Creek developed as both a cane and tobacco growing area, the tobacco crop being mainly cigar leaf. In May 1920, a letter was received by a local grower at Silver Creek, Kelsey Creek, from a buyer in Sydney and Brisbane stating that the quality of the tobacco from this area was one of the best received from Queensland.
In earlier days, Kelsey Creek was a stopover on what was then the highway between Bowen and Mackay but even so, lack of a tramline was a disadvantage for farmers desiring to transport their crops. The farmers in the Banana Pocket area were also greatly disadvantaged as they had to cart their produce all the way into Proserpine because the rail link from the south on the North Coast Railway was deemed by the Government to be unnecessary at that time. Even a line to the cane siding would have benefited the settlers, as a portable line could be used the remainder of the journey of five miles.
On Lascelles’ property at Lethebrook, an old tobacco shed was located near the first school (Banana Pocket Provisional School) and became a favourite play spot for school children. It was also used for parties, Church Service and Sunday School. Tobacco leaves still hung from the rafters for many years after the industry had folded.
On April 20 1920, “Proserpine Guardian” reported on the formation of the Bowen-Proserpine Tobacco Association. This group was only for tobacco growers, was non-political and was designed to look after the interests of members to help them obtain better value for their product.
Apart from transport problems, these early growers faced mixed fortunes. A hail storm in 1918 significantly impacted the Kelsey Creek crop. In 1921, the district crop was not as good as expected but a maize crop was established with about 40 bushels/ acre and this was some compensation for growers.
On February 6 1948, the “Proserpine Guardian” stated that there were reports of about nine growers in the district. The Blair Bros grew tobacco on their Gregory River property and harvested a variety called Nicotiana Rustica which they railed to Brisbane. This was a coarse tobacco which was unsuitable for smoking but carried a high nicotine content suitable for extraction and use in the manufacture of nicotina sulphate known as Black Leaf 40, an effective pesticide. In late January, they harvested 1 ton 18 cwt 2 qrs from one acre of their property, for which it is estimated they would receive 11d/lb or £180. Other growers included Mr A T Casey of the O’Connell River and Mr W T Richardson of CannonValley.
Tobacco as a crop requires skill, patience and constant care. Fertile soil and a good shed are essential. Unless it is properly housed, bulked and cured, the result is a dry tasteless weed. Suitable fittings, facilities for exclusion of bad weather, proper ventilation and admission of proper light are vital. These were all important considerations for early growers.
At the time, tobacco was considered “an excellent way to supplement the cane cheque.” Hats off to these early pioneers in diversification!
Story and photo courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum
