Charles Draper of Charnwood, Arthur’s Creek – Horticultural Pioneer
by Bruce Draper (2010)
Charles Draper (1825-1909), a versatile horticulturist, florist, pomologist, orchardist and viticulturist, was the first large scale fruit grower in the Arthur’s and Diamond Creek districts of Victoria. He became a member of the inaugural Board of Advice for the Management of the Horticultural Gardens at Burnley and it is thought that his collection of tuberous begonias contributed to Ballarat’s noted collection.
Born at Shepshed in the Charnwood Forest area of Leicestershire, in December 1852, Charles with his wife Catherine and their two small children, Maria aged 3 and Joseph Charles aged 1, left Liverpool in the ship Kate bound for Port Phillip. On 13 April 1853 they disembarked in Hobson’s Bay.
Getting Established
Charles was an experienced wheelwright and blacksmith accustomed to country work. Shortly after his arrival he established himself as a wheelwright at Plenty Bridge on the Plenty River near Eltham, where his skills were greatly in demand. Plenty Bridge (now Lower Plenty) was situated in the midst of a thriving agricultural district on the main road from Heidelberg through Eltham to Kangaroo Ground.
Catherine (nee Chester) was the daughter of a farmer and Charles a self taught gardener. ‘… who commenced the study of horticulture when a young man, in the florist department, … and practised it successfully during his leisure hours’.1 About 1856, the family established themselves as tenant farmers on the rich black soil of the Donaldson Square-Mile at Kangaroo Ground. Charles acted as an overseer for the Donaldsons, becoming an ‘enthusiastic fruit cultivator, who for many years … made pomology his constant study’.2
In 1862, Charles, with his friend John Ryder, wandered over the stringybark ranges to the north of Kangaroo Ground in search of ‘a piece of land on which to locate himself and family, and which he could call his own.’ Under the recently passed Duffy Land Act, Charles Draper selected land, with excellent shelter and running water suitable for fruit growing, along the Running Creek at Arthur’s Creek. He named his property Charnwood ‘after his home in the old country’. By repeated selections, he increased his holding to ‘320 acres in one block, besides 196 acres purchased at a short distance.’3
The homestead and original orchard were established on the western side of the Running Creek near the junction with the Deep Creek and Arthur’s Creek. Some of the first fruit trees, brought from Kangaroo Ground, grew with remarkable vigor in the fertile alluvial soil of the valleys.
The work of preparing the country for planting was ‘one of a gigantic nature’4 and newspaper reports described progress:
‘The first trees occupying only about two acres were planted in 1864. Then new sorts were procured from which to propagate, and the next planting took place in 1867, and has been continued yearly from that time.’5
‘While this was being done, dairying was carried on to provide the means of subsistence.’6
Horticultural Society of Victoria
In July 1871, Charles was elected to the Practical Committee of the Horticultural Society of Victoria, which in 1885 became the Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria. He was a member of the Fruit Committee and was appointed a Trustee of the Society’s Experimental Gardens at Richmond. A regular exhibitor at Monthly Meetings and Horticultural Exhibitions, Charles Draper became a Vice-President and Fellow of the Society.
At the Second Intercolonial Exhibition held in Sydney in 1873, ‘The fruits exhibited by the Horticultural Society of Victoria and by Mr. Charles Draper of Hazel Glen, made a very fine display, set out, as they were, with great taste in a prominent position in the building, and on a table devoted to them alone.’7 A silver medal was awarded to the society and a bronze to Charles Draper.
The Horticultural Society played a prominent part in the development of the fruit export trade. Charles was one of the first Victorians to export apples, which were included in the shipment arranged by Mr. John Carson of Kew for display at the Vienna International Exhibition in 1873. This was the first time fresh fruit had been exported from Victoria to Europe. Prior to this fruits modelled in wax were sent overseas for display.
In 1876, apples and pears from Charnwood were sent for display at the [American] Centennial Exhibition, Philadelphia. Ninety-seven varieties of pears were sent in the S.S. Zealandia as ordinary cargo without a cool chamber, and only three specimens went bad.
Importing
Charles Draper imported many varieties of fruit trees into the colony from America and Europe to be proved at Charnwood and then grown for sale. One such early variety was the Jonathan apple, first introduced into Victoria from America under the name of Marston’s Red Winter.
Fruit from Charnwood was included in the display from the Australian colonies at the Paris Exhibition of 1878, and a contemporary report stated that ‘ [it] appears to have attracted a considerable amount of attention. The idea also appears to be gaining ground that a good market may be found in England for Australian fruit.’8
In 1878 Charles was appointed a Justice of the Peace and acted as a magistrate in the Eltham and Whittlesea Shires, sitting at Eltham, Queenstown (now St Andrews), and Whittlesea Courts.
International Exhibition Melbourne
At the International Exhibition Melbourne 1880-81, Charles Draper was awarded a silver medal for his collection of fruits. ‘That one grower (Mr. Draper) tabled a collection of 199 varieties of apples and 49 varieties of pears is noteworthy, in being perhaps an incident that has no parallel in the history of Victorian shows.’ James Lang of Harcourt was awarded a special first prize for his exhibit of 30 apples that, ‘contained not a single inferior example.’9
Fruit from Charnwood was sent with the trial export to London of fruit and vegetables, partly for sale and partly for exhibition, at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, London 1886. A total of 136 fruit and vegetable growers and exhibitors participated in the experiment. The Victorian Commission administered the sale of fruit. A diploma and medal were awarded to each exhibitor.10
In February 1888, Charles Draper was a member of the party that accompanied Alfred Deakin, Chief Secretary of Victoria and Minister of Water Supply on a visit to Tatura, Mooroopna and Shepparton. At Mooroopna Alfred Deakin delivered a lecture on irrigation in which he advocated the judicious use of irrigation for farming and fruit growing. Deakin drew attention to the success of ‘one gentleman who grew a large variety of fruit within a few miles of Melbourne’ … stating that. ‘Fruit growing required a great deal of judgment in selecting the best kind of fruit suitable for the land, and the best kind for the market.’11
At this time Charles Draper was ‘well known as one of the largest fruit growers in Victoria’. He acted as a judge at many horticultural exhibitions throughout the colony and was awarded a bronze medal for services as a juror at the Centennial International Exhibition, Melbourne, 1888.
Centennial Horticultural Exhibition
At the Centennial Horticultural Exhibition held at Richmond Park in March 1889, Charles was awarded first prize for 50 and 24 varieties of apples, and also for 50 and 24 varieties of pears. ‘Apples and pears especially were remarkably fine, the effects of irrigation being visible in the great size attained by some of them, particularly the pears, which however were not improved in colour, some of them being very pale. It was also distinctly proved that fruit capable of taking a high place at an exhibition can be grown without irrigation, as in the case of Mr. Draper’s apples, which gained first prize for 50 and 24 varieties.’12
The Leader of January 25, 1890, in an article headed Charnwood, noted that, ”Mr. Draper has planted a few vines by way of experiment, which are doing well, and he is of the opinion that the whole of the hills might be advantageously covered with wine grapes”. …
”Of the kinds of fruit now grown, Apples occupy the largest area. Of these Mr. Draper has got together from Europe and America, about 700 varieties, besides seedlings raised by himself and others in the colony. The whole of these are under cultivation, but only the most approved sorts are propagated”…
”The ornamental portion of the grounds is quite as interesting or even more so than the orchards. … But we have left to the last Mr. Draper’s special favourites, tuberous Begonias, … a gentleman who has recently returned from England, and who visited Laing’s and some of the other great growers, declares that some of the varieties are superior to any he saw there, whether for size, form or colour”.13
”His begonias at Charnwood were for many years the finest to be seen in Victoria”, …14
”Mr. W.L. Hartland of Creswick, officer in charge of the State nursery”, and a champion begonia grower, 15 purchased the begonia collection from the Charnwood estate in June 1909. The Hartland collection, including the Charnwood collection, is reputed to have been a significant addition to the Ballarat collection.
In May 1890, Charles Draper was one of the fruit and vine growing experts who accompanied the first Parliamentary Visit to Mildura, at the joint invitation of the Mildura Shire Council and the firm of Chaffey Brothers Limited. Charles Draper advocated ‘the establishment of an experimental plantation, on which the growth of new and old varieties might be carried out on a small scale, so that the settlers might learn both what to cultivate and what to avoid, and also the best method of culture.’ Further, he expressed his confidence ‘that Mildura will develop into a large and important settlement.’16
Arthur’s Creek Fruit Growers’ Association
On May 12, 1890, the Arthur’s Creek Fruit Growers’ Association was formed with Charles Draper as President, P.W.J. Murphy, Secretary and J. Herbert as Treasurer. Charles Draper was to serve as President for the next 14 years. The early efforts of the Arthur’s Creek Fruit Growers’ Association and the Diamond Creek Horticultural Society, formed in September 1884, provided the foundations for the advancement of the fruit growing industry in those districts.
In May 1890, the committee of the Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria, after considerable discussion of the financial position of the society, proposed to place the society’s experimental gardens at the disposal of the Government for the purpose of establishing a school of horticulture.
The Minister of Agriculture visited the gardens in October 1890, accompanied by George Graham MLA and Charles Draper, Vice-presidents of the Society, and David Martin, Secretary for Agriculture. ‘The gardens were found to be in good order’ and ‘the Minister agreed to take over the gardens from the trustees’.17
At a meeting of the Society in January 1891, ‘The treasurer announced that the Agricultural department had taken charge of the gardens and paid over the sum of 1400 pounds, the amount arranged for between the society and the Government. This covers the debentures and liabilities of the society.’18 Messrs. William Anderson, Charles Draper and Henry Boyce were nominated to the Board of Advice for Management of the Horticultural Gardens. The Government appointees were David Martin, Secretary for Agriculture, Chairman, Joseph Harris and James Lang. George Neilson was appointed Curator. The Board of Advice was appointed on 16 February 1891. In May 1891, the first School of Horticulture in Australia came into existence.
Charnwood
The name of Charnwood and its owner became well known throughout Victoria and the neighbouring colonies and the property welcomed many visitors. By the 1890s there were 200 acres of fruit trees. The mode of pruning attracted attention as well as the practice of keeping apples in store and ‘camps.’18 Mr. Draper’s axiom is to shape the tree into its proper habit prior to maturing then the necessity for pruning is minimised.’19
Nuts also found a place at Charnwood and at the second conference of Australasian Fruitgrowers held in Hobart during April 1895, Charles Draper ‘gave his experience in growing filbert and other nuts.’20 An Intercolonial Fruit Show was held in conjunction with the conference. ‘Where Tasmania, Victoria and New Zealand came into competition was in the section open to all Australasia for collections of apples. Mr. C. Draper, Hazel Glen, Yan Yean, Victoria, took first honours. The judges awarded it to him for the large number of varieties, the excellence of the exhibits, and the correctness of the nomenclature.’21
Local Service
Charles Draper always took an active part in local affairs. He was a member of the Whittlesea Agricultural Society Show Committee, a Trustee of the Arthur’s Creek Mechanics Institute and Free Library, and a Trustee of the Linton (Arthur’s Creek) Cemetery for close to 42 years following the inception of the Trust in 1867. In 1896 he was elected a Councillor for the Whittlesea Riding of the Shire of Whittlesea. He served as Shire President in 1900 and 1903, and from 1905 to 1907 was a Councillor for the Yan Yean Riding.
In December 1902, The Garden Gazette in an article headed ‘A Visit to Charnwood’ reported that : ‘After dinner our next move was across the creek and up the opposite slope, … to the vineyard, and through the vines, which were looking lusty and vigorous with promise of a good crop, after which we naturally adjourned to the wine cellar, for Mr. Draper, in addition to being a skilled horticulturist … , is also his own wine maker, producing a sound, dry white of excellent character.’22
The end of an era came in 1903, when the Charnwood estate was subdivided into 4 orchard and grazing allotments of from 50 to 90 acres for sale by auction at Kirk’s Bazaar, Melbourne. Charles Draper was now 78 years old and there were no successors available to carry on the management of the orchards. The original homestead block was retained, and is still held within the family as a grazing property.
At the Diamond Creek Horticultural Society’s Show Luncheon in March 1908, Mr. Richard Wadeson acknowledged ‘Mr. Chas. Draper, who up to last year, when he was unavoidably prevented from so doing, had judged continuously for 22 years, ….’ Mr. William Murphy ‘asked permission to propose the health of Mr. Chas. Draper. Mr. Wadeson had referred to the number of years he had officiated as a judge and he (Mr. Murphy) thought that as Mr. Draper was not present it would be an act of courtesy to propose the health of one who was undoubtedly the father of the fruit growing in the district.’23
The following year Charles Draper died at Charnwood, at the age of 84 years, on 23 April 1909. The Hon, George Graham M.L.A. Minister for Agriculture, stated that he ‘was a household word among fruit growers who regarded him as an authority on the orchard,’’ while The Australasian lamented that ‘His burly form and genial face will be much missed at our flower and fruit shows.’24
Photo: Charles Draper, aged 80 from Fay Thomas Collection, Yarra Plenty Regional Library
