1872 .

-f

VICTORIA. [v=l.

70

NOVEL INDUSTEIES, FOEESTS, & EUEAL INSTEUCTION.

SECOND PROGRESS REPORT

OF THE

ROYAL COMMISSION

FOREIGN INDUSTRIES AND EORESTS,

INCLUDING A

SUMMARY OF THE ANSWERS TO A CIRCULAR LETTER SENT OUT BY THE
COMMISSION DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 187J.

PKESKNTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF rARUAMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY’S COMMAND,

No, 16.

Bg Sutgontj):

JOHN FERRES, GOVERNMENT PKINTER, MELBOURNE.

ArPHOXIMATK COST OF

IMCroilT.

Preparation — Not given.
Printing (850 copice)

SECOND PEOGEESS EEPOET,

To His Excellency the Right Honorable John Henry Thomas Viscount
Canxerrury, K.C.B ., Governor and Commander-in- Chief in and
over the Colony of Victoria^ Syc., Sfc., ^-c.

May it please Your Excellency —

1. We, the undersigned Commissioners— appointed by letters patent of the
18th July 1871, to inquire how far it may he practicable to introduce into this
country branches of industry known to be common and profital)le amono- the farmiu"
population of Continental Europe ; to specify which of such industries are most
suitable to our soil, pinnate, and circumstances; to report on the best means for their
introduction into Victoria, and how far the labor of persons at the disposal of the
State may he advantageously used for that purpose ; and to further consider and
lepoit on the best means ol promoting' the culture, extension, and preservation of
State torests in V letoria, and the introduction of such foreign trees as may he suitable
for the climate and useful for industrial purposes — have now the honor to submit tliis
our Second Progress Report.

Eirst Report we touched liriefly on some of the rural industries
oi Europe believed to he suitable for this country, more especially the production of
oli\e oil, sillv, dried fruits, flax, hemp and other fibres, beet-root sugar, as ■well as
others of less importance from a commercial point of vicAr, and much additional
intormation on such subjects has been since obtained. The advantao-es likelv to
proper employment of children, and other persons at the disposal
ot the State, in the practical introduction of such industries, has also been inquired
into, with results to be more fully detailed hereafter. Nor has the present state of
the forests in \ ictoria licen overlooked. Some time has been devoted to aseertainino'
the wants of different parts of the country in regard to timber, more particularlv those
including the principal goldfields, and the supply within a convenient distance is'failino-
so rapidly, that the question as to how this can be maintained is becoming daily more
momentous. The formation of forest nurseries and test plantations was alluded to in
our former Report, and further suggestions will he made on this subject. This serious
diminution of the supply of timber is directing public attention more and more to
the necessity for stringent regulations in the management of the State forests, and
lor better means of enforcing these than exist at present. Many valuable suggestions
for the furtherance of these objects have been gladly received and fullv discussed,
and the Commissioners, having considered the subject in many of its hearings, hope
to receive still further information to assist them in preparing a scheme of general

SeXtfirS^Le^^p^^^^ ^ country and at the Sejme time acceptable to

“meetings held by the Commission has amounted to forty-
1 ne, in addition to those held by the several committees appointed from time to

and the Inisiness has been of a varied character. Several
witnesses have attended to give evidence on the facilities for introducing new industries
Lnd suitaluhty of the soil and climate of this country for the olive, the mullicrrv’

on the improvement of the forests, ami

desiV bfo tn P^'oviding against the now reckless waste of timber. It will he

lablc to examine many more witnesses before the conclusion of our labors and
the mam evidence of all will be attached to our final Report. ’

"" r' ^^eport mention was made of tlie olive trees on the

aecfaiecl to be in perfect health, although exposed to the full foiW nf

f tho,l,ay. “This i^ „„t rfalahlel'l?, cln if
ind, and if, with such an aspect, and absolutely no shelter

First Rrogress
Report.

Meetings.

Olive trees on
the Model Farm.

4

from the violent winds which blow here at times, the olive can thrive and bear
fruit within so few years after being planted, there is an absolute certainty of this
tree being highly productive in more favorable situations. This, indeed, has been
proved at several different places within a few miles round Melbourne, and with trees
older than those at the Eoyal Park. It may be stated, also, that tfie fruit ripened
perfectly, and at the usual season, so that the seeds were fully developed and fertile.
Olivos iiiaiitcd in ^ b. Wliilo on tlic subjcct of olives it is right to mention that, in order to give
niul other place*. an impetus to the culture of this tree, cuttings of additional varieties were kindly
forwarded by the Hon. Sam. Davenport from South Australia, to be planted at the
Botanic Garden, and rendered available for distribution ; and to the Bev. Dr. Bleasdale
was entrusted the experimental task of planting, on the Acclimatisation Society’s land,
in the Boyal Park, as many truncheons and cuttings as could be got into tlie ground
with a fair chance of growing at the rather late period of the year at which the
work was commenced. The number then planted was 1600— many of these large
truncheons prepared according to the Portuguese method; and the majority of both
cuttings and truncheons have already made a strong growth, although only limited
attention was bestowed on them since they were first put in. They were thus left
almost to nature, to prove how easily the olive tree can be propagated to any desired
extent. Prom suggestions made to the Commission, it was considered advisable to
apply at once to the Chief Secretary for permission— readily granted— to take the
steps alluded to, and the result has been to secure the growth of many hundred
young trees for future use. The varieties already here, obtained in the first instance
from South Australia and New South Wales, are apparently good, and Baron von
Mueller has an additional selection of the best varieties from various parts of Southern
Europe, so that there may be scope for choice in planting diflerent named sorts in
the situations and soil for which they answer best.

PanipUleL on the 6. A report on the Portuguese mode adopted in ifianting the olive cuttino-s

n«rb.v and truncheons in the E.oyal Park, together with a short treatise on the SpaniSi
i>r. moastaie. chcstiiut, has been published in pamphlet form by the llev. Dr, Bleasdale. These
were first given to the public in the columns of a weekly newsj)aper of large circula-
tion, and w^ere, no doubt, widely read. The pamphlet also contains directions for
the drying of figs, Avith a description of the kinds principally grown for that purpose
in the south of Europe.

The .luUana 7 . Through the kindness of Mr. McEwan, of South Australia, 200 cuttino-s of

the sultana grape vine liai’e been received for distribution, with such cuttings as
could be spared from the Botanic Garden, and these ha\'e been gii'en to vineyard
OAvners in suitable parts of the colony. The gentleman named, as Avell as Mr. Thos.
Hardy and other residents in South Australia Avho are becoming skilled in fruit-
drying, _ have promised samples of the fruits prepared by them, together Avith
instructions in the several processes Avhich their experience leads them to adopt,
iiop-growiag. 8. Although liop-gi'owing may be neither a noA'el nor a foreign industry, it has

been considered by us as one of great importance, and has commanded our attention.
The first planters of hops in this colony Avere not acquainted Avith the practices elsewhere,
and printed instructions AA-ere not easily to be had, if Ave except the few articles on the
subject Avhich have appeared in the Aveekly papers from time to time. Thus the pioneers
in this branch of rural industry have had to acquire experimentally, as it were, their
knoAAdedge ; but they have proA^ed parts of the colony to be eminently adapted for the
groAvth of hops, as may be learned from the summary of ansAvers to the queries farther
on. Labor Avas scarce and dear at picking time, and the casting part of the Avork Avas
not understood, so that the pecuniary returns Avere at first disappointing ; but experience
has convinced the growers that further knoAvledge is alone required to render tlieir hop
gardens highly remunerative. To supply this, in part, Mr. Howitt obtained, from Kent,
plans of the most approA'cd kilns or oasts, Avhich he has kindly placed at the disposal
of the Commission. And it may be encouraging to say, that in Gippsland very
simple kilns have this season been erected, of rough materials and at moderate
cost, Avith which complete success has been achieved. But this result Avas not
obtained by the means before alluded to, but by the skill of an experienced hop-curer,
who Avas engaged at other Avork until he learned, from the published reports of our
proceedings, that practical knowledge of the kind Avas needed by the growers of hops
in a part ot the country with AAdiich he Avas not previously acquainted.

9. The subject of flax-groAving requires much more attention than it has
yet received from the Commission. Among the samples of common flax, one

Elax and other
fibres.

5

forwarded from Portland, and grown by Mr. E. Plenty’s gardener, is of fair
quality. Well-prepared samples of “New Zealand phormium,” as it is for the
future to be called in commercial circles, have been also forwarded to the Com-
mission. These were obtained from plants grown in Victoria, and, as the cultiva-
tion is easy and, moreover, the plant perennial, it was thought desirable to
learn if any of the former difficulties in the way of preparing the fibre for
market had been removed by the late inquiries iu New Zealand. The Central
Government was therefore communicated Avith, and, in answer to direct questions
on the more important points of practice with regard to chemical agents and
machinery, forwarded copies of the reports from two Iloyal Commissions appointed
specially to inquire into the cause of these difficulties and suggest means for their
removal. The first Commission did little beyond promote inquiry ; but the second
Commission, with Er. Hector as chairman, brought up a most exhaustive report,
towards the end of last year, supplemented since by an appendix containing the
results of experiments and analyses conducted by some of the first chemists in
Great Britain. This mass of valuable information is being reduced to practice at
the several fiax mills in New Zealand; and although there had previously been great
improvement in the mode of preparing the fibre for market, principally in conse-
quence of better machinery being employed, the improvement is likely to be more
rapid now ; and it will be advisable to note the results, for the phormium can be
grown Avell on land not readily available for other p\irposes. The subject of fibre
plants generally is one of vast importance, and will require further attention.

10. A very useful illustrated table, published at the Government Printing
Office, Sydney, translated from the Italian of Giuseppe Yallardi, and illustrating the
development of the Bornbyx Mori^ was obtained by l)r. Thos. Black, President of the
Acclimatisation Society, at the instance of Dr. Bennett, It depicts the silkworm at
every stage of its growth, life size; and gives also clear directions for the feeding and
management of the worms through every change. So trifling is the cost that a framed
copy should be fixed on the walls of every schoolroom in the country, and the
Commission have procured many copies for distribution. A knowledge of the silk-
worm and its habits would be thus insensibly imbibed by every child with a taste
for pursuits of this kind. The desire for keeping a feAv worms Avould as surely folloAV,
and this could be gratified by planting the mulberry near each schoolhouse; facilities
for which have indeed been already afforded by the annual distribution of this useful
tree from the Botanic Garden.

11. The Honorable the Chief Secretary was pleased, on the recommendation of
the Commission, to procure some copies of “The Porcst Trees Planting Encourage-
ment Act ” of New Zealand. This was passed in November last, and provides that,
wherever the Act is declared to be in operation, two acres of rural land shall be
granted for every acre ■ planted successfully with forest trees. The conditions are,
that the Crown grant for the additional land so allowed is not to issue until the
trees on the planted land shall have been kept in a vigorous and grooving state for
two years. The land so planted must be securely fenced against both cattle and
sheep, and devoted solely to plantation purposes. The requisite number of trees
to the acre will be defined from time to time by regulations of tlie Governor in
Council, and no claim Avill be allowed for less than 20 or more than 250 acres.
Persons Avho have, however, less than 10 acres of trees planted can claim 20 acres
of land by paying the difference in cash.

12. Many letters have been received dii’ecting the attention of the Commission
to the needless waste and destruction of timber in almost every part of the colony,
more particularly near the principal goldfields. These letters only seem to give
force to the statements made and the opinions expressed further on in the body of the
Beport. That urgent action in reference to this subject is needed, becomes daily
more evident.

13. In submitting again merely a Progress Report, and reserving the con-
sideration of many of the questions before us for a future and more full Report,
we have been mainly actuated by a desire that our present recommendations may
afford timely aid in any measures concerning industrial instruction, new branches
of husbandry, ‘and forest management, for the promotion of whicli the Govern-
ment may see reason to provide administrative and pecuniary means during
the new financial year. We have therefore deemed it of urgent importance to
delay no further our representations in reference to the foregoing subjects, and also

The silkworm.

Plr.nting Act of
New Zoahuid.

Wjt5lc "f timber.

Necessity for
early mea-
sures.

6

in regard to raising timber trees on the railway lines and on other Government
grounds, inasmuch as the time has arrived when the needful selection of nursery
space should be made in all the various localities at which such reservation is required,
in order that, during the cooler months of the year, the necessary sowing and planting
may be effected; otherwise no proper advantage could betaken of the coming season,
or it might be altogether lost for these purposes.

l^Pferring more pai’ticularly to the objects with which tlie Commission was
appointed, much information on these has been collected. In connection with tlie first,
the introduction of such of tlie rural industries of Europe ns may be suited to our
soil, climate, or ]ieculiar circumstances otherwise, many products liave been named.
Tlie plants to yield these have been fully specified in the appended summary of evidence
and form a vciy long list — but not too long, considering the wide diversity of soil
and climate within the boundaries of Victoria. Of immediate importance is the
white beet. In 1870 Ave paid away for sugar alone £958,597, and, if the European
system of sugar-making can be introduced here Avith profit, not only may this amount
be saved, but the general mode of farming must at the same time be vastly improved.
The gain to those countries Avhich now obtain their supplies of sugar from this root is
greater from the indirect advantages than from the keeping Avithin their OAvn confines
of the sums expended on riin article so largely consumed. The groAving of licet
successfully means good general fanning — more corn and meat off tlie same extent of
ground, with the sugar as an extra profit on the first outlay in ]ire])aring the ground
by tilling it deeply. If for no other object than tlie inijirovement of our general
system of husbandi-y, the exjieriment of groAving the beet for sugar-making ought to
be freely encouraged. We are glad to find that commercial enterprise has responded
to the action of Earliament in offering a premium for the first large quantity of sugar
made from beet. As employment for men, and as affording a variety of oops
and resources for farmers and country residents, over and above the ordinary products
noAv too much run iqion here, vegetable oils, fibres, tobacco, and ho]>s arc named, and
ample twidence is afforded of the facilities Avith Avhich the plants in connection with
them can be groAvn ; Avhile to occupy the time of the children and youths ]nofitably
there are silks, dried and preserAod fruits, medicinal herbs, and dye stuffs, floAro'S for
the jierfumers, and perhaps tea in certain parts of the country. Not only would such
things amount to a considerable money Amine in the Avhole, hut the variety of
interesting and hopeful pursuits thus afforded would have the best effect in creating
habits of industry in children iioav groAving up Avithout profitable occupation all over
the colony. However, there can be little hope for a change in this respect until aa'c
have established among us that \mriety of minor as Avell as more important industries
Avhich afford such constant occupation to the country children of Erance, Germany,
SAvitzerland, or Belgium.

Information on 15. This Avant is fully admitted, but it Avill be no easA" task to cause a scattered

inhstrS. country population to become acquainted Avith Avhat they ought for their OAvn l)enefit
to knoAv. Nearly all the rural industries of the warmer parts of Euro])e are suited to
different portions of Victoria, if the peoi)le could be brought to understand them. When
asked for 0 })inions on this branch of the subject, our correspondents could offer but fcAV
suggestions, but these Avill suffice if acted on Avith jirudonce and foresight. It is recom-
mended that premiums should be offered for the raAv products and their utilization ; that
information in connection Avith them should be freely distributed amongst the residents
in the country, of all classes ; and, lastly, that the required seeds and plants should be
rendered readily available. But the information must clearly be siqiplied first ; then a
demand for }>lants Avill arise ; Avhen the offer of premiums for the products may be
expected to promote the cidtiA'ation of these plants on an extended scale. Amongst the
suggestions of our correspondents in regard to country schools are several bearing on
this vieAv of the case. It is pointed out that there might he a collection of specimens,
either natural or artificial, illustrated cards, pam})hlcts Avith plates of machinerv, and
other appliances or models, to be Aised by the teachers in affording instruction on such
industries as are deemed or proved the most suitable for this country. But to perform
this ])ortion of their duty in an efficient manner the teachers in country schools should
be required to have a certain amount of actual knowledge of such subjects, this sjx'cial
prej)aration of teachers foj- country schools having been long a' ])art of the
National School system of Ireland. And, to give practical force to the theoretic
teaching, each school might have a piece of ground Avith groAving specimens
of the more important plants. Nothing can be more desirable. This idea has been

7

enlarged upon, and a very comjilete system of imparting infonnation has l)een
indicated piecemeal by the several writers, to finisli with a University training
for young men who are to become scientific agriculturists. But the first consideration
ought plainly to be how best to l)ring home to the people at large a practical
acquaintance with such of the minor industries as can be commenced without
the outlay of much money, and are calculated to increase their comfort, or in
time to add materially to their income. While the children are becoming gradually
acquainted with these at the schools, the parents should be induced to read about them
in the tracts and pamphlets whicli we have, from the commencement of our inquiry,
declared to be so much needed. The parents and children will thus be enabled to
aid each other in the pursuit of knowledge, and the family discussions will end in
experiment, if the means, in the form of seeds and plants, be rendered easily
accessible. ^ The last stage of the process will be to create emulation, by the
local societies offering ])rizes for such products as are adapted to the peculiar circum-
stances of their several districts.

16. hor the introduction of the more important new ci'ops, and improvement
in the treatment of such as are not generally understood yet, informatioji of an

. advanced kind must be imparted by means of sjiecially prepared treatises or judiciouslv
conceiv'ed lectures. Ihe proposal of some of our agricultural correspondents, that
theie should oe lecturei’s ti’avelling about among them, jminting out the peculiarities
of soil, or suggesting clumges of crop or system, ought not to be overlooked. The
uunieis as a class ^\aut leading*, and even one ([ualified person might effect a vast
deal of good, travelling from district to district, mixing freely among them, now
lecturing to a few collected together and encouraging discussion, or walking ov^er
their grounds with individual farmers, and taking notes for future publication. A
description of any district written in a conciliatory spirit would be read bv every
resident within it, as well as by the farmers elsewhere, and might be made the means
of conveying many useful suggestions. Besides, a well-qualified lecturer, acquainted,
as he ought to be, with at least the first principles of geology, would be able to point
to spots where mineral manures would prol)ably be found - and these are becomin«-
urgejitly required under our present exhaustive mode of farming. Lastly, the
biinging of the farmers together and they av’ow themselves ready to attend lectures
freely — would materially aici in the formation of Fanners’ Clubs; and we need scarcely
repeat the statement, that, if the farmers wish to make anv' real progress, they must
meet more fiequentlv, and discuss the merits of new crops, new manure.s, new
sj stems, and nevv industries, and impart to their neighbors the results of any e.xjreri-
inents they may be induced to try. In making these suggestions, we do not overlook
the fact that much valuable information is diffused through the countrv by means of
newspapers devoting a portion of their space to agricultural and ruraf sulnects, but
these can never entir-ely supply the special information needed.

17. Example farms and gardens have been suggested as efficient means fori
practical teaching. The word “example” is used in preference to “model,” because the
object here is not to lay down any particular plan, either in farming or gardenino-, for
imitation, but to prov’^e on a sufficiently large scale whether each new plant or tree is
likely to lead to a profit or loss on its culture. Carefullv prepared annual returns would
show the cost of sowing an acre of flax or hemp, or'of jilanting an acre of olives ov
muloerries, with the yield year by year ; and persons interested in such things could
learn the mode of treatment by oliservation, and see them at every stao-e of o-rowth.
Ihen from these farms and gardens might be obtained large quantities of sudi seeds
and cuttings as itvvould be_ advisable to distrilmte widely. Great benefit has lieen
derived in Americii from raising and testing new plants in this way at first, and then
giving to the jiractical farmers the seeds of all such as apiiear to be adaiited to the
comitry Ami we have the. testimony of several residents in this colonv that the\-
Wi ghidly aid m experiments of the sort, by carefully tending any new seeds or plants
vvuth which tiiey may lie sujiplied.

-1 1 1 I'egard to the second abject of the Commission, the inquiry as to how i

the labor of persons at the disposal of the State may be most advantaa-eousl > used
in piomoting^ tie intioductiou of novel industries, the opinions expressed arc verv
decided. It is shown that there is prison lalior whidi may be emploved in a much
more varied way than at present ; and many of the children at ‘the Industrial
yhoqls, young as they are, might lie beneficially engaged for a portion of their
time in the lighter work, such as tending young plants, weeding, or gatherino-

I'he more im-
portant crops
and industries.

ixample farms
and gardens.

abor at tin-
disposal of the

state.

8

The forests.

A sub-JepArt-
mcnt of rural
Industries and
agriculture.

and preparing tlie products to be raised on the suggested farms or gardens. The
Industrial School at Suubury exhibits nothing like an example, and is, in fact, we
believe, a well-conducted Infant Poor House, instead of being an Industrial School.
In this institution there are no boys fit to work at any I'ural employment, while in the
Nelson training ship there are, and the great anomaly presents itself that while the
demand for apprentices for sea purposes is not moi’e than ten per cent., and the demand
for land purposes is ninety per cent., the ninety per cent, are habitually trained for
purposes for Avhich they are not required, and are never taught anything connected
wdth rural industries, in which direction their training is required. A few of these boys
are now employed at the Botanic Gardens, and would thus have an opportunity of
becoming skilled in a most useful occupation, but they are not allowed to remain long
enough to become experienced in any branch of garden work. This surely does not
deserve the name of industrial training. But, judiciously used, the labor at the disposal
of the State might be turned to valuable account, in establishing among us those
rural industries which ought to be encouraged both 1)y precept and example.

19. The urgency of the appeals for a more strict preservation of our native
forests proves with how much alarm the residents in many districts now view the rapid
decrease in their available supplies of tunber. The cpiantity consumed as fuel by the.
steam-engines on the goldfields is becoming very large, and is every winter obtained
with greater difficulty, and, of course, at increased expense. Thousands of miners are
now depending for their bread on the working of these engines, and it has already
happened that, during an unusually wet winter, several could not be supplied with fuel
at a rate low enough to allow of work being continued. The stopping of the engine
is of course followed by a reduced demand for labor, so that full employment for the
miners, as well as the maintenance of the yield of gold, has become intimately
involved with the forest question. Then the timber supports — technically, the props —
whicli are required in deep sinking, have to be cai’ted a long distance already in
many of the most thickly populated districts, and are becoming so scarce in others
that the supply must soon cease unless measures be taken to protect the young
saplings. The Board of Land and Works has issued regulations with this object, and
vdth a view of checking the i-eckless waste and destruction of timber, which has become
a habit owing to the profusion with which we found it supplied by nature ; but in many
of the forests these regulations cannot at present be enforced. It has, therefore, been
suggested tliat the State forests should be placed under the charge of local boards of
management. However, although as a people we have been slow to avail ourselves of
the warnings from other countiies, the threatened failure of the supply is now causing
the preservation of the forests to become a cpiestion of very genei’al interest.

20. Seeing then the great advantages to be derived from the establishment
among us of the rural industries of Europe, the Commission desires earnestly to express
tlieir liigli approval of the proposed agricultural sub-department, under the super-
vision of the Minister of Lands. The knowledge to be imparted must emanate from
a well matured and comprehensive system, containing both the scientific and practical
elements. The wants and peculiar circumstances of this country must be studied, and
information already at our disposal applied to these. And, with regard to providing
the sort of knowledge specially bearing on these rural industries, much remains to
be done. For their successful prosecution they rec[uire besides a greater amount of
care and attention to the crops on which they depend than prevails here Avitli our rough
and injudicious mode of farming ; therefore they must lead to, or, more correctly
speaking, be the result of an imjn-oved general system of husbandly. To bring about
this improvement, we would respectfully call your attention to the Agricultural
Department of the United States of America, established in 1862. The reports of
the Commissioner of Agriculture, published yearly, contain information obtained from
all parts of the States, as well as from all parts of the world. The value of this
system is best shown by the following resolution adopted by the House of
Eepresentatives ; the Senate concurring : — “ That there be printed of the annual
report of tlie Commission of Agriculture for 1869, two hundred and twenty-five
thousand extra co])ies, one hundred and eighty thousand of which shall be for the
use of the House, twenty thousand for the use of the Senate, and twenty-five thousand
for distribution by the Commissioner of Agriculture.” The founding of agricultural
schools and colleges is also proceeding rapidly there. In Euro])e these have been
the first consideration. Here, pi’obably, it will be found advantageous to follow more
immediately the American example, and make it the fii’st object of the proposed sub-

9

department to supply the people throughout the country on an extended scale
with useful ]3uhlications, and seeds and plants for experunent; other means must he
added by degrees, and, as has happened in America, so we may hope to see this
sub-department expand in a few yeai’s into a fully developed institution, cherished
and supported by all classes and sections of the community.

21. As a remedy for the anomaly of training boys for the sea when most of xho Model f*™
them are required on land and for rural pursuits, we would recommend that buildings i>ark“‘°

be erected at the Model Farm in the Royal Park for as many as can be employed there
under proper supervision, or at some other more suitable jilace. The advantages of the
farm ai-e that the land is conveniently divided, and in good condition for the
growth of crops of any sort. There is also a large garden containing fruit trees and
vines of many kinds, as well as olives and mulberries, so that tillage and experi-
ments miglit be commenced without the expense and delay unavoidable v/ith a new
establishment. On this farm the well-behaved boys from the Nelson might be profit-
ably occupied, and so initiate a more consistent system of training — the vessel named
to be used strictly as a reformatory school.

22. ^ Returning to the timber question, we consider this of such vital importance Forest manage-
to the mining, industrial, and rural prosperity of the colony, that we strongly recom-

mend the formation, at an early date, of a Central Forest Board. But the planting
and care of trees is so intimately connected with the introduction of new industries,
and should become so much a part of the ordinary farmer’s employment, that
agriculture, horticulture, and forest management might be advantageously lu’ought
into close relation under one head, and the business connected with them transacted
through one Minister. The new industries will bring the two first named into very
close communion, and, when State niu’series are established, forest trees will have to
be grown together with the olive, mulberry, sumach, tea, or other jfiants of a horti-
cultural character. And in connection with the subject of State nursei’ies we would
recommend that the project of forming one near the Macedon railway station, first
broached some years since by the Assistant-Commissioner of Lands and Survey, with
the object of raising useful timber trees for distribution to selectors, and for the
planting of reserves denuded of indigenous timber, be now carried out, and a com-
mencement thus made in this direction. The feeling of the rural portion of the
colonists has been strongly expressed in favor of such nurseries, and they would assist
materially in promoting the objects of this Commission.

SAMUEL H. BINDOK.
GEORGE WARD COLE.

R. C. HOPE.

ROBERT RAMSAY.

J. F. LEVIEN.

T. M. B. PHILIPPS.
WILLIAM WITT.

FERD. VON MUELLER.
THOS. BLACK.

JOHN I. BLEASDALE, D.D.
PAUL DE CASTELLA.
CLEMENT HODGKINSON.
R. BROUGH SMYTH.

(l.s.)

(l.s.)

(l.s.)

(l.s.)

(l.s.)

(l.s.)

(l.s.)

(l.s.)

(l.s.)

(l.s.)

(l.s.)

(l.s.)

(l.s.)

Mr. Hood had sailed for England before this Report rvas ready for signature.

(:

N >. 1

f

•.'S

SUMMARY OF THE AMSWEES TO QUERIES CIRCULATED BY THE
COMMISSION DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 1871,

( Prepared hy the Secretary for the use of the Oommission.)

In sending out the circular asking for information and advice on these several subjects, the object was, of
course, to have it placed in the hands of those persons best able, from their experience in this or other
countries, to answer the queries therein. Therefore, copies for distribution were sent in the first instance to
all the representative bodies throughout the country, namely, the shire, district, and borough councils, as well
as to the principal agricultural societies — amounting to about 170 in all. Single copies were also sent to
gentlemen known to be capable of furthering the objects of the Commission. The editors of many of the
nevvspapers did good service besides by publishing the circular in full, and directing attention to it in
their leading or other columns, so that the circulation of the queries may well be considered to have been
complete throughout the colony. Over 800 copies were thus distributed, and a fair proportion of these
were returned fully, and in some cases elaborately answered. The answers contain a mass of useful
information, as well as the opinions of many gentlemen qualified, from their long residence and practical
participation in the several pursuits of the colony, to judge truly of its wants and capabilities. Valuable aid
has also been afforded by a few gentlemen now residents in Victoria, but natives of different European
countries. One lady has also assisted in this inquiry by furnishing practical suggestions for the teaching
and employment of girls at the public institutions.

Before proceeding to collate and summarise the information and opinions contained in the answers, I
may bo permitted to point out that the mere circulation of the queries has been of use. By reading them the
attention of many persons has been directed to the possibility of introducing branches of industry not
thought of before, and inquiry will lead to experiments which ■would not otherwise have been undertaken.
And with the spirit of inquiry once aroused, it may be easily kept alive by the dissemination of printed
instructions, and the distribution of a fetv' seeds or plants of a novel character, with detailed accounts of
experiments conducted at State establishment.^.

Ihe number of queries issued was fifteen, and for the sake of couspicuity it will be needful to take
them in rotation.

Thus—

Novel Industries.

Query 1. What 7invel or special rural industry might, in your opinion, he established or largely
extended in your locality, with a prospect of proving remunerative tinder the present circum-
stances of the country 'i

The answeis to this and the following question did not, in many instances, distinguish the industry
from the plants to supply material for it. I find, however, certain industries, or branches of industry,
stiongly lecommended. Ihcso arc principally sugar-making, the preparation of fibre and vegetable oils, the
manufactuie of staich and arrowroot, of potash from native shrubs and the branches and leaves of certain
frees, of acetic acid from waste timber, the making of baskets and of straw plait by children, the production
of silk of different sorts, the drying and preserving of fruits, the making of brandy and citler, the growth
and preparation of medicinal herbs and of plants for dye-stuffs, the growth and manufacture of tobacco,
fiower-farming, or the collection of cultivated and native flowers for perfumery, the growtii often, the more
extended cultivation of hops, and the collection of the various descriptions of gum and resins produced bv
native trees. ^ •'

SUGAR-MAKING.

As thm is the first-named of the several new industries, so it may ultimately prove one of the most
important. The value of the sugar now imported annually is not far short of a million of money, and there
18 , according to the answers, a wide extent of land in the colony suitable for growing the sorts of beet from
w Itch sugar IS so profitably manufactured in Europe. In the answ'ers from the districts around Gcelono'
and through the rich lands to the westward, by Colac and Camperdown, as far as Belfast and Portlaiuf-
roiii ffallarat and the rich country around it, extending along the ranges eastward even to Mansfield-
amt from b-ippslaiid and wherever there is a tract of good land under a comparatively cool climate, the
^gar-beet is insisted on as a crop easily to bo reared as soon as a market for it oilers. The district around
Warrnambool has long been famous for its root crops, and we are told that there are, within a few miles of
that town, 30,000 acres especially adapted for beet-growiiig. Not only is the soil adapted for it, but there is
so much moisture in the atmosphere along the southern coast, that crops of this sort are alrao,st independent of

B 2

12

rain. Then, regarding the coxintry near Mansfield, a resident of much experience says — “The soil and
climate of this district are admirably adapted for the growtli of sngar-boet and sorghum. The soil has one
of the great essentials for the growth of sugar-making plants : it is full of lime, and totally free from salt
(chloride of soda), which, I am told, is most important.” The presence of such salts in portions of the
colony it is said will prove a difficulty in the way of sugar-making, but the two districts specially alluded to
may be taken as samples of many others in which calcareous and volcanic soils predominate. Grown on these,
the juice of the beet will always be free from the saline matters which give the sugar makers so much
trouble. A large part of Gippsland is also very suitable for the growth of this root, and consequently ior
the making of sugar. In the warmer portions of the colony, where beet would be an uncertain croji, some
of the many varieties of sorghum or imphee, of the Chinese or African sugar-cane, may be grown with
facility. It is said also that sugar is now made with advantage, both in Europe and America, from melons
and pumpkins. If such is the case, these can, of course, be readily grown in any quantity where the
climate is too warm for beet.

But, while pointing out the facilities we enjoy for raising sugar-yielding plants, the correspondents
of the Commission have not overlooked the real difficulty — that of finding a market or sale for the raw
material. The proprietors of manufactories will be the only purchasers, and how can capitalists be induced
to erect these in anticipation of a supply of the raw material on which to operate ? The farmers may not
have capital to spare to allow of their erecting machinery on the co-operative principle, and men of business
will scarcely be induced to speculate in this direction, unless the factory to be erected near Geelong
should be a pecuniary success.

FIBRES.

The demand having been so great of late years, as a matter of course not an important plant known
to be capable of producing fibre valuable to the manufacturer has been overlooked. But, as in sugar-
making, so the difficulty is to show how the preparation for market can bo encouraged. It is suggested
that there are many persons in the colony skilled in the growth of flax, for instance; but it is also said
that they want some special inducements here to return to an occupation which they followed with
advantage in their native country. In the opinion of a few of the respondents, (he erection of scutching-
mills would be sufficient to lead to the growth and preparation of flax on an extended scale in some parts
of the country, while the majority believe that nothing short of a high bonus will suffice. As was done
ill Queensland with cotton, a certain sum might be offered for each bale of marketable fibre up to a given
number, or for the fii’st ton, and the industry thus stimulated into existence would bo carried on if found
to be profitable. Beyond this the suggestions do not go ; but it would seem from the tenor of the evidence
that, if the preparation of vegetable fibres is to become an important industry here, there must be a division
of labor — in the growing of the plants, and the preparation of these for market.

VEGETABLE OILS.

The most important of these is probably olive oil, and that in time will be produced most advan-
tageously here. The Commission is already in possession of excellent samples produced near Melbourne
and Geelong and the growers of the tree at Bontherambo, near Wangaratta, say — “ We have about twelve
acres of olives, which have grown and bear remarkably well. We have made forty or fifty gallons of good
marketable oil, but have hitherto found the cost of gathering the fruit too expensive to allow' cf the
manufacture being profitable.” At Adelaide Ihc gathering has been c.ffectod cheaply by children. Accounts
of the olive grow’ing and bearing wwll have been received from almost nil parts of the colony ; and wdicro
tire tree thrives means wdll be found of preparing the oil with jiront. For ex.ample, in Italy (he fruit of
the olive is mostly allowed to become so ripe that it can be shaken off into cloths placed beneath the
trees, wdien the cost of gathering becomes a mere trifle. 'I'he item of expense, so formidable to the
gentleman at Wangaratta, can thus bo almost entirely obviated, and the oil yet obtained of good quality.
In France, Spain, and Portugal, the system is generally to pick or beat off the fruit before it is quite
ripe; Imt the average of Italian oil is quite as good as (hat produced in the countries named, and why should
not the Italian system amswer here, if we get the right varieties of olive for it ? The almond also is
mentioned as a tree from wliich oil may bo expected in large quantities^ It grows w ith the greatest facility,
and comes into bearing more quickly than the olive. Whatever doubt there may be about the grow'th of flax
for fibre being profitable, there seems to bo none about the seed paying; and we m.ay quickly produce all the
linseed oil wo require, if only mills be erected for pressing this out. Two correspondents of the Commission
have gained experience in America in the preparation of oil from the castor-oil bean and the seeds of the
sunflower, and say that these oils can be produced w'ith profit here. The item of Labor would bo no higher,
and in other respects our advantages are at least equal. Then the poppy and different jilants bearing small
seeds have been mentioned as likely to be desirable for oil-making purposes ; but the chief difficulty plainly
is to introduce first the manufacture of oils better known and more largely used.

STARCH AND ARROW'ROOT.

The want of a starch factory is said to bo seriously felt in more than one district, to turn to account
much agricultural produce now w'asted ; but this is no novel industry, for starch of every kind has been
made here at different times. Arrowroot has been suggested as a product likely to bo profitable.

POTASH AND ACETIC ACID.

A considerable quantity of potash is now used hero, and it is a question if that could not be added
to the list of colonial products with benefit. The scrub in the Capo Otway forests, as well as in other
parts of the colony, has been suggested as a source whence all we require might be obtained for many
years to come, and if the potash could be saved with 2>i'ofit, the destruction of the scrub would be a twofold
gain. Acetic acid is another product mentioned, and in the large forests there is much timber of an
inferior kind, which might bo well devoted to the purpose, if the consumption would bo sufficient to allow
of erecting the necessary works.

13

BASKET-MAKING.

The making of baskets has been mentioned by many residents in the country as a petty industry
which ought to be greatly extended. The finer and medium sorts are becoming at length jilcntiful enough
in the towns, but strong, coarsely made baskets of ditferent sizes would bo very much more used on farms
and in gardens and orchards if they could bo obtained at low prices. This is a kind of work suitable for
boys at public institutions ; and osiers can be grown in any quantity along the river banks, and on islands
and spots of ground fit for nothing else.

STRAW I'LAIT.

The preparation of straw for plait, and the making up of hats and bonnets, has been recommended
by a^ lady at Fitzroy as a branch of industry worthy of encouragement. This lady has been
practically engaged in it for somo years past, and has succeeded in tho face of serious difficulties, one of the
greatest of which is the obtaining of raw material in a suifablo form. Kyo is grown here largely, but tho
straw requii’es to bo saved in a special manner for this purpose. Wo can also grow the .‘several grasses
and the kinds of willow used for hat-makiug in Italy and elsewhere; and as 30,000 persons, of all ages,
are said to find employment at this industry in Great Britain alone, and as we certainly import very largely
for our own use, straw-plait-making would appear to be deserving of more notice than it has yet received.

SILKS.

This stands next on the list, and (here appears to be no reason why tho production of silk should not
be profitable here. An Italian gentleman, of Daylesford, says— “ The' growth of tho mulberry tree for
silk wi b I behove, be one of the most pioductive industries in tho colony, and in a shorter time than what
le public think, as I consider this climate just lit for it.” And in this opinion many of this gentleman’s
countrymen agree. All varieties of tho mulberry are grown and increased wiih tho greatest facility, and
there are in the colony localities to bo found suitable, in regard to climate, to every variety of the silk-
worm. Ihe only cogent objection is the cost of labor; but on the other hand it is pointed out that the
work of tending the worms is almost entirely done by women and children, who without this occupation
would be earning little or nothing. The partial failures in the limited experiments made as yet have
arisen principality from want of the best varieties of worm to commence with, and even these were
m the hands of learners. But better stocks are now obtainable, and skill in the management will
be torthcomiug when there is really a demand for it. Besides the true silk, the coarser sorts may also
e raised in any desirable quantity, for the ailantus and ricinus may be grown and increased with even
greater tacihty than the mulberry, and the worms which feed upon these plants like a warm dry climate : —

unless, indeed, there may be a difficulty in protecting from our insect-eating birds the worms which live
on the trees.

DRYING AND PRESERVING FRUIT.

c c "'^’■“'br parts of the colony suggestions have been received as to the drying and proserviiw

ot Iruits— the drying more especially, as this does not involve any expenditure for sugar. Bottlino- has
a so been recommended as a convenient way of saving the surplus of some sorts of fruit; but that” can
scarcely be called a novel branch of industry. Grapes ai-e, of course, tho fruit to which attention has been
princiiially directed, and the Commission has been supplied with samples of very fair raisins, to show what
may bo done with little skill, and without very much trouble. The preparation of raisins for market has
scarcely been attempted here yet; but not a few of our vignerons and settlers are iioiv getting into the habit
ot drying a few grapes each year for domestic use, e.specially north of the Dividing Kange, where the dry
and lyarm climate renders the process an easy one. Tho fruit of the Corinth grape has also been dried,
showing that currants” may be prepared even more easily than raisins. Prunes, apricots, peaches,
apples, and figs are also mentioned in the category of dried fruits ; hut experiments with these have been
limited, seeing that fruits of the sort have been superabundant in but few places as yet.

BRANDT.

Strong remonstrances have been received against the present illiberal distillation laws, which are said
to cause a great waste of inferior grapes, inferior wine, and refuse material on the vineyards, capable of beiu<r
converted into brandy. 'Ihese law's thus militate seriously against the success of an industry not so pros”
perous or promising as it ought to be. *

CIDER AND TERRY.

_ The making of cider and perry is recommended, but orchards will scarcely he planted with Ibis
object alone A commencemout has, however, been made in the desired direction, for apples were so
abundant last season, that a large surplus had to be dispo.sed of without going to market, and much of this

advantage. Pears promise to be more abundant in future than apples, and
thev^-. I Ihe same way. Both cider and perry ought to meet with a ready market here, as

weather correspondents to be better than wine for snstaining tho strength in hot

MEDICINAL PLANTS.

here on\°Hmifcr/r?,lf " K clruggist, doubtle.ss several plants may eventually be grown

record as et In ’ll i, only one in relation to which any sueceL has been

„v, 1 4 ?^^' ^ ^ cooler parts of the colony this grows with groat certainty and yields an

aJail!lbk° " of children has been

onn-iim c iJanch of industry has, therefore, been recommended from different quarters as one

Stle ™. *» talk » 10 of fcS

and frosts • hurev proved to grow freely in places sheltered from hot winds

them hav; bln P“ited as yet. Other products, and the plants yiehlino-

character caJ be stateT *' ^^^^^ ^^ excepting the one first mentioned, little of a positive

14

DTE STUFFS.

The foregoing remarks will very nearly apply to this section also, for, with the exception of madder,
few plants yielding dye stuffs have been tried. This has been grown here occasionally, and without
difficulty, but never on a scale sufficiently large to prove whether it will be a commercially profitable
product or not. Indigo is recommended for the warmer parts of the colony, and there can be little doubt
that it would grow well in such.

TOBACCO.

The growth and preparation of tobacco for market is pointed out by many of your correspondents
as a branch of industry capable of great and profitable extension. When this Avas commenced a few
years since, expectations Avere too highly raised. It was supposed that money must needs flow freely into the
pockets of either the groAA'er or manufacturer, or both. But the .skill had in too many cases to bo obtained
by the usual costly e.xpcrience, and with the inevitable result. 'I'here Avas some profit, and much loss ;
and it has been learned, here as elseAvlicre, that tobacco is only to be grown successfully with much care,
and that it only grows of superior quality on certain limited tracts of land. The reason for this has yet
to be discoAmred, but Avill be fotmd probably by a minute analysis of soils in comparison with the produce of
each. Otherwise the requisite kuoAvledge is here both for groAving and manufacturing, and Avith a Avider
dissemination of thi.s, and the addition of a little more chemical knowledge, the supply of enough for our
own consumption at least may, in the opinion of your correspondents, be soon provided.

FI.OAVER-FAKMING,

In connection Avitli the industries of the south of Europe, flower-farming was naturally suggested to
many minds as an employment for children, if not for adults. Even in some parts of the south of England,
land devoted to flower-growing for the perfumers gives a larger return than under any crop that can be
raised in the same space of time, or with the same outlay of money, and Avhy should it not do so here,
Avhero so many more highly-sceutcd A’arieties of floAvers can be raised easily without special care or protec-
tion ? This question can only be answered by practical experiment, Avith the guidance of such information
as any moderately skilled gardener possesses. With floAver-farming may be connected the groAvth of aromatic
plants, for essential oils required by others than perfumers.

TEA.

Since this plant was first grown at the Botanic Gardens here, it has been tried in different parts of
the colony, and tea has been recommended as a commercial product by several of your correspondents ;
but the Chinese say that it will not pay at the present I'ate of labor. They haA’e no doubt about the plant
thriving in many localities ; but even Avhen offered land and plants free, and whatever profit they could make
of it, as they Avere by one of your correspondents, they would not give up gold-digging in favor of
tea-groAA’ing. Baron Von Mueller formerly recommended the use of rollers heated and Avorked by steam
for the preparation of the tea.

HOPS.

Wherever beer is made, hops form a serious item of expenditure, and it is plain that, within a very
few years, this may be reserved Avholly for the benefit of the colony. Hop gardens have been made in
Gippsland and in the Ovens district, and the plant tried successfully in many other parts of the colony. Of
the prospects of tliis branch of industry in North Gippsland a settler near Bairnsdale says — “Hop-
growing . — The writer has expended a large sum of money in this direction ; soil and climate admirably
adapted, but labor scarce and dear at picking time. With cheap labor this industry may bo extended almost
indefinitely in the valley of the IMitchell. Hop plants, tAvo years old, produced last year 11 cwt. to the acre
and upwards Avithin half a mile of Bairnsdale.” Did space allow I could add the testimony of many other
growers of hops in Gippsland. A gentleman residing near Oxley Avrites to say that he has eleven acres
of hops, Avhich will be in full bearing this year, and look Amry promising. These have since yielded upwards of
half a ton to the acre. The only difficulty experienced in Gipissland is the picking and drying ; but proper
kilns have been erected this year, and as properly saved colonial hops always fetch the highest prices, they
will admit for a time of a somewhat extra cost for picking.

NATIA'E GUM.

The collection of this, and of a few other products of our forests has been pointed out as a source of
employment for a limited number of people.

Objectors to the introduction of new industries, and the extension of those which promise well
othenvise, say that no satisfactory progress can be made while capital is so scarce and labor so dear.
Agricultural banks are recommended as a cure for the former evil ; but that is not a phase of the subject
with which the Commission has to deal. The labor question is no doubt a serious one, commercially
speaking, but there is every year a greater available amount of labor amongst the small settlers noAV
becoming so thickly scattered over the country. Even though no immediate pecuniary return should be
insured for this, a large proportion of it might be most beneficially expended on some of the aboA’e-named
industries, calculated either to increase domestic comfort at once, or give pecuniary returns at a future
day. In regard to dried fruits, for instance, it is suggested that if children Avere taught that the produce
of a few extra vines, or apricot or apple trees, would afford materiak for better fare all the year round,
they AA’Ould be likely to take some trouble to have these, and dry the fruit afterwards; or, to rear
mulberries, if shown that every mulberry cutting put in and sufficiently protected would, in three or four
years, give them leaves worth a shilling annually for feeding silk-Avorms. Such inducements may suffice
to have all the petty industries thoroughly tested, if full information be supplied to the bulk of
the small settlers, and the more important ones named wdll be tried by the commercial test of profit
and loss. But for all, the advantages of soil and climate are manifestly Amry great. On this point

15

there is no difference of opinion. It is agreed that they may be easily naturalized and extended here.
The only question is, will they give a pecuniary return for the cost of fostering them for a time? And
the laissez faire objectors are not in the proportion of one to ten, as compared with those who write
strongly in favor of their encouragement, even if this has to be effected by the outlay ot a considerable sum
of public money for a few years. The ultimate gain to the State is to arise from the more full and
profitable employment of a rural population, now scarcely able to earn a bare subsistence by ordinary
farming, more especially where the holdings are limited in extent.

Plants foe different Districts.

Query 2. What •particular plants would you recommend as eligible in your neighborhood
for industrial and commercial purposes, and as deserving of prominent attention^

In disposing of the answers to this question the colony must bo divided, in a general way, according
to its climates. On the northern slope of the Dividing Pange, and between that and the Murray, the
climate is warm and dry ; on the southern slope much cooler, with shelter from the direct action of the
hot winds. The plains towards the sea again are hot, but not so hot as those further north ; and near the
sea the air is more tempered with moisture, and the range of the thermometer is not so wide. Gippsland
has not only the benefit of the air from the sea, but is almost entirely sheltered from the ill effects of the
hot winds from the north and north-west.

plants for tdf. warmf.st parts of the colont.

Taking the warmer parts of the colony first — there are recommended for them the mulberry, olive,
almond, fig, orange, ricinus or castor-oil plant, some of the varieties of maranta and other plants for airowroot,
ginger, sorghum, indigo, and the sorts of vines suitable for producing currants and raisins. To show that
these plants are not mentioned at random or without some little experience ot them, part of the answei
to this question, forwarded by a gentleman residing near Swan Hill, may be given. After expressing his
opinion that with irrigation, easily to be applied, the rich land of the Lower Murray would grow to j)Ci-
fection nearly every tree and plant not strictly tropical, as well as many from colder climates, this gentleman
continues — “I have tried the sorghum saccharatum and find that it grows to the greatest perfection. I am
therefore of opinion that the variety known as ‘planter’s friend’ would thrive equally well, and if cultivated
for the production of sugar would prove highly remunerative — the cost of carriage to market being small
compared with the value of the article. This industry might therefore be most profitably establi.shed in
this district. *♦***• I have also tried Indigo fera tinctoria, the common indigo plant of India, as
well as Ricinus communis, the castor-oil plant, both from seed procured from India, and find that they
also thrive well. I am of opinion that they also could bo made highly profitable if cultivated in the
district. Oranges also grow here to the greatest perfection. I haveabout one hundred trees planted, mostly
now bearing fruit. From one tree, six years planted, I have taken one hundred and eighty oranges of the
finest description, but I consider that this fruit would not pay for production on a large scale, the cost of
carriage to market being so great.” Other extracts might be given in support of the opinion that the plants
named could be cultivated advantageously in the warmer parts of the colony ; but this vvill suffice to
indicate the practical character of the answers to the invitation for aid in the present inquiry.

PLANTS FOR THE MEDIUM CLIMATE.

The plants or trees known or supposed to be suitable for the portions of Victoria enjoying what may
be called a medium climate, form a very long list. These are the mulberry, olive, orange, lemon, almond,
fig, raisin vines, prune, peach, apricot, apple, pear, jujube tree, ricinus, sunflower, millet, tobacco, flax, hemp,
phormiura tenax, bochmeria nivea, rape for oil, poppy, the willow for osiers, the cork-oak, the hop, sumach,
cinchona, walnut, Spanish chestnut, tea, sugar-beet, chicory, caper, liquorice, Turkey and Chinese rhubarb,
various species of acacia for bark and tannic acid, madder, tho smilax for sarsaparilla, and some otheis
of less importance. The almond is especially mentioned as a tree of easy propagation and quick growth,
coming into bearing early, and therefore well calculated for tho production ot oil. Some of the other trees
are named with a view to the drying of fruit either for home use or exportation. Although many peisons
who tried tobacco for a time have ceased to grow it, others, who cither had sufficient skill or took the
trouble to learn, have found it as profitable a crop as they can grow. On this point, as well as in
relation to two other plants, your correspondent from Oxley says — “ I have cultivated tobacco almost
exclusively for the last eight years and found it to pay a fair profit. I have also eleven acres of hops,
which will be in full bearing this year, and at present look very promising. From what 1 have observed
of tho castor-oil plant in America, as compared with plants grown here, I think the making of this oil would
be a very profitable industry.” The hop finds a place in the above list and is favorably spoken of by a
few of the residents under what has been called our medium climate, but it can be only exjiected to yield
with any degree of certainty or profit when completely sheltered from the direct action of the north winds ;
and the same may be said of a few other plants enumerated, which, although liking a tolerably high degree
of average heat, yet wither up before our hottest north winds as they would before a blast from a furnace.
Of the fibre plants, flax is recommended for nearly all parts of the colony, as a native and good-looking,
though perennial variety, is found wherever the soil is of superior quality, llenqi has been tried in different
places and grows readily, as might be expected. The boehmeria nivea, or Chinese grasscloth plant, is less
generally known; but of this a gentleman residing near Berwick, and supplied from the Botanic Gardens,
says — “ About four or five years ago I obtained a plant of it. I planted it on dry sandy soil ; it grew from
two to three feet the first season, four or five the next, and between five and six and a half the third
season. It has not grown beyond that since. It has grown altogether from twelve to fifteen stems at a
time. 1 think it would have groitm much better if I had known the proper time to cut it, and could
be easily made to yield two crops in the year. It is now (26th September) nearly three feet high, and
cuttings planted last winter are nearly two feet high. I believe this would be a most profitable plant to
cultivate but for the difficulty of extracting the fibre economically.” Of the cinchona, the same gentleman
says — “About four years ago I received a plant of the cinchona. After growing nearly two years it
was accidentally broken off close to the ground. It is now about two feet high again, and growing

16

vigorously. It is sheltered from the north winds only. Last summer the hail, on one occasion, lay
around it an inch deep without doing it any injury. Last .autumn I planted out sever.al in different places
without any protection whatever, but the strong north winds shattered the foliage very much. The
stems are now (26th September) all budding out afresh, and they look very healthy and strong. The
aspect is open to the north and south-west, which I think injurious on account of exposure to the strong
winds. I am of opinion that a hill-side facing the e.ast will bo found the best. We have very light frosts
heie, in fact wo had none Last rvinter.” Of liquorice, the report is that, after some failures from want of
knowledge as to how it should be cultivated, the roots last season were nine feet in length, and of nearly
equal thickness from end to end, with side roots measuring three feet in length. This gentleman h.as also
tiled the poppy — “In 1865 Isow'ed seeds of the opium-poppy, intending to dispose of the heads to the
“•'iggisfs ; but I found, when the season came round, that there was scarcely any demand for these, and the
few druggists I asked seemed very doubtful about taking the opium even if I did collect it. The Jlel-
bourne seedsmen refused to purchase the seed, so the plants were neglected ; next year a splendid crop
came up from the self-.sown seed — the plants grew six or seven feet high.” These few instances out of
many may be taken as a proof that the spirit of inquiry and experiment is alive amongst our country
icsidents ; and tho following extract shows clearly how a vast amount of useful iiiform.ation may bo
cheaply obtained concerning new plants generally. After describing his success or failure with some of
the plants named in tho circular, a settler near Korong concludes his answer to query 2 thus — “The rest
have not been tried, but I am willing, with others, to incur the expense of experiments on being supplied
with plants and information as to the soil each plant requires.”

PLANTS FOK THE COOLER CLIJfATE OP VICTORIA.

As enjoying a cooler climate, without the extreme vicissitudes of temperature amongst the mountains,
the districts near the sea to the westward, around Portland, Belfast, .and Warrnambool, as well as t!io whole
of the lower portions of Gipp.sland, may be instanced. And for such a climate the plants recommended
are tho mulberry, olive, lemon, almond, apples for cider, pears for perry, the cork-oak, Spanish chestnut,
sugar-beet, opium-poppy, millet, flax, hemp, phormium, tobacco, hop, tea, and the pea-nut, together with
certain seeds for oil. Under this range of climate the mulberry and the other trees named thrive admirably
wherever the soil is naturally dry or well drained. The few varieties of the olive in the colony appear mostly
to require a warm aspect to enable them to ripen their fruit with certainty where the climate is comparatively
cool. The cork-oak has been rather widely distributed from the Botanic Gardens ; although it grows slowly
on dry soil, it has thriven well on rich ground, not altogether without moisture. The Spanish chestnut, too,
seems rather hard to suit in regard to position, and requires shelter from the north wind. Over the tracts of
country named, the sugar-beet may be grown with the greatest facility, as may the poppy and the fibre
plants ; but it is a question if tobacco does not require rather more heat to bring it to the highest excellence
in regard to quality. Hero the hop grows to tho greatest perfection. Of it a resident of North Gippsland
says — “In reference to hops, which I cultivate, I sustained considerable loss last season from not having
tho necessary skill in drying and saving, and having no books on the subject to which I could refer. With
reference to my experience of their culture, I regard them as an unqualified success, pronounced by persons
able to judge as being equal in one year to a crop pl.anted three years in England ; and as a proof of their
extraordinary growth I may mention that they require poles several feet higher here. The varieties I
cultivate are tho grape and the golding. This year I h.ave extended my plantation, and purpose extending
it as my means permit.” The opinions of many cultivators of this plant in Gippsland have been furnished,
and all agree in saying that the hop is most easily reared, subject to no diseases as yet, and bears abundantly
at an early date. But all the growers have suffered more or less from tho same want of knowledge in drying
the cones and preparing them for market. As to seeds for oil, there is but one opinion also, namely, that
many kinds can be grown with ease as soon as there is a market for them ; but this there cannot be until
oil-mills are erected.

From the foregoing it is clear that we have in Victoria natural facilities for the growth of a wide
variety of plant*, ranging from those common in England to the natives of semi-tropical climates. Some of
these also yield products of great and extended value. And when wo find such a want of knowledge and
such a difficulty in obtaining information about the saving of a product like the hop, so common in portions of
our own country, it is not surprising that partial or even total failures have occurred with the plants or
jiroducts of other countries, requiring treatment so different from any with which the rural population of
Groat Britain is acquainted. In fact the successes are more to be wondered at ; and these are sufficiently
numerous to justify the most sanguine hopes of many of your correspondents.

The Introduction op New Plants.

Query 3. What would be the best means to effect an early and extensive introduction of such
useful plants as are not yet generally adopted in Victorian husbandry ?

The suggestions in answer to this question are almost confined to three modes, with, however,
some variations on each. These are — the offering of premiums, the furnishing of information, and the
supply of seeds or plants from public establishments.

PREMIUMS.

With regard to premiums, it is proposed that they should be offered either directly by tho Govern-
ment or through the medium of agricultural societies, and that they should bo for new and useful products,
for the best varieties of neiv jilants, or for a certain extent of ground planted with any such as may be
deemed desirable. It is said tho premiums sliould be large, and that the agricultural societies should
bo induced to offer them only for the plants or products specially suited to the locality which each
repre.sents. Still larger premiums might bo offered in tho shape of a bonus to the first, second, or third
producer of any given quantity of the .article desired. There is nothing novel in these suggestions, the
only difference of opinion being as to whether the growing plant or the marketable product should be placed
first in order for encouragement.

17

BOOKS AND OTHER MEANS OF INFORMATION.

Many seem to believe that tlic dissemination of books and pamphlets would be the quickest means of
gaining the desired end. These should, it is pointed out, bo eminently practical, affording reliable information
as to the nature, habits, and mo.lc.i of culture of the new plants, as well as on the preparation of their
products for market, with csiirnates of the cost and profits. They should be sold at a low price also, or
given away, to ensure a wide circulation. It is also suggested that such books, and others of a
more costly character, should be supplied to every mechanics’ institute. Another proposal is, that
there should be frequent reports from recognized authorities, describing the plants suited to various
localities, as well as their products and the prices of these from time to time. Then, besides information
for immediate and practical use, it is stated plainly in some of the communications that the youth
of the colony must be taught the value of such things, and brought up in habits of industry,

before any products other than those the result of ordinary farming can bo procured to any extent

in short that, besides teaching for men and women, a new sort of education is required for the young, if
we are to enjoy the full advantages of our soil and climate. The introduction of skilled labor is also
mentioned, to prove by example what may be done ; but this is only a part of the whole question of
teaching, and it is not shown that the expense of supporting foreign families all over the country would not
bo very great.

SUPPLY OP SEEDS AND PLANTS FROM PUBLIC ESTABLISHMENTS.

In explaining how this idea may be carried out, there is room for much variety in detail. In the first
place, it is said that the Government may open up communication with all parts of the world, either through
ordinary agents or the agricultural departments of other Governments, and thus obtain all the seeds or
plants needed, either for money or exchanges, payment in kind. But then comes the question as to how
such things should be distributed or utilized. One plan is that everything should be first tested or grown
on experimental farms in ditforent parts of the colony, and the plants and seeds afterwards distributed from
these, with full instructions for their use and application. On such farms, or in example or test
gardens, the novel crops could bo seen at all stages of their growth. Others recommend that the seeds
and plants should bo distributed at once on arrival to residents in different parts of the colony, requiring
from each person a report as to his success or failure. Others, again, are in favor of a union of both plans,
either wholly or in part, the testing of everything on Government establishments, and after-distribution to
private individuals for further trial. Some of your correspondents would have the seeds and plants given away,
while others would have them sold for at least sufficient to cover the cost of growth and distribution. Then
forest nurseries are pointed out as suitable places for testing most of such things, the after-distribution
to bo effected through the forest boards or agricultural societies. This idea has received other modifications,
but the upshot of the whole is, that the Government should be looked to in the first instance for the
introduction and distribution of new plants, if this is to be done within any moderate space of time.

Establishment of Factories.

Query 4 . Can you afford advice as to the establishment of factories, or the introduction
of simple maehinery for the utilization of any raio produets which could he most
speedily and remuneratively brought about either in your district or in other localities
of this colony with which you may be acquainted^

The answers to this question are neither numerous nor highly suggestive. The difficulty of
affording practical advice as to the establishment of factories of the kind required in the country districts, is
very generally admitted. The want of them is forcibly shown by a resident at Ballarat, in his answer,
when he says — “I think it is not to the credit of a colony like Victoria, which can already almost
claim a place among nations, so far as her wealth and resources go, and which produces immense
quantities of the finest wools in the world, that so little has been done to encourage their conversion
into fabrics, by which manufacture easy and constant employment would be provided for thousands of
young people and women, who at present find none. The supply of woollen goods, such as broadcloths,
tweeds, meltons, waterproof tweeds, flannels and blankets, required by this colony annually, would keep
from thirty to forty mills always going, each mill to be equal to that of the Victoria Company at
Geelong. The establishment of a beet-sugar factory in each agricultural district would be of great
advantage to the farmers, as affording them increased facilities for the proper cleaning and re-invigoration
of their land, and for the feeding of stock. # « * j believe that olive oil should soon become an

article of export, and that its manufacture should be encouraged.” The manufacture of woollen goods
does not come, strictly speaking, within the scope of the inquiries of your Commission ; but this affords a
palpable instance of private enterprise not being sufficient to meet the wants of a new country. Another
gentleman, likewise of long experience in the colony, residing near Cranbourne, writes on this subject — “ So
very much depends on circumstances, it is not possible to tell whether any factory will prove remunerative
or not. My experience of factories and new industries in this colony is unfavorable to success. Machinery
introduced into this district over ten years ago is mostly all rusting and unused, and its introduction has
resulted in loss.” Factories for the manufacture of sugar from beet seem to be those most required just
now in the agricultural districts ; but it is not shown how any special encouragement for their erection
can be afforded, otherwise than by offering premiums for certain quantities of sugar when made. Factories
on a smaller scale for the drying, bottling, and preserving of fruit, and for the preparation of mustard
and starch, are also recommended ; but the only suggestion in connection with them is, that the Government
should offer premiums for plans and specifications of buildings and machinery suitable for such purposes, and
have the best of these published, together with other requisite information. Places are pointed out where
water-power can bo rendered available for any reasonable number of mills ; but these unfortunately are,
in most cases, where population is least dense. The only remaining suggestion, at all feasible or to the
point, is that Government should have plans of simple labor-saving machineiy (driven by cheap motive
power, such as wind and water, and the several modes of applying these) printed off and widely distributed,
especially, through the medium of mechanics’ institutes, agricultural societies, and farmers’ clubs. In
this way it is supposed that mechanical ideas and desires might be fostered.

18

Forests.

lyuery 5. Can you point out any locality hi your district as specially adapted for forest
reservation, or for forest nurseries, or for the raising of neio forests?

The consideration of another subject has now to bo entered on, one also of no trifling importance,
for firewood even is becoming scarce in many districts of the colony ; and without fuel little work is to
be got through in these mechanical times, leaving out of the question the requirements for domestic
use. As the natural forests disappear, it becomes a serious question how these are to be replaced. There
has been little heed for the future ; and even where there is a spontaneous growth of young trees, several
years must elapse before this can be of much utility. From most of the goldfields urgent intreaties have
been received for the strict reservation of all forest lands within an available distance, as well as for the
preservation of young timber. With a view to climatic influences, and the continuance of our present
rain-fall, several gentlemen interested in stock and agriculture, would have all timbered ranges reserved
from sale or occupation. To afford shelter soon, and timber at some future day, it is recommended that all
the three-chain roads be planted for two-thirds of their width, and that trees be planted at each side
of the narrower roads. In many districts, spots of more or less extent are pointed out as suitable for future
forests ; and one proposal is, that all worked-out auriferous laud should be I'eserved for this purpose, as
being altogether unfit for agriculture. But although bad land, in the ordinary acceptation of the term,
much of that which has been deeply stirred in tlie search for gold grows vines and fruit trees to perfection,
and is therefore suited for settlement. Great stress is laid on t\xQ jiermanent reservation of the forest
reserves, as it is alleged that very much forest land has been lately taken up by selectors solely for the
timber. Where the laud is of better quality, the selectors are destroying an immense number of trees by
ringing them ; and one instance is given of, a selector who barked 200 fine stringy-bark trees to cover in
a shed, worth, when finished, about fifty shillings. In some of the stringy-bark foresls, vast numbers
of trees have been killed by’ ringing, in the vain hope that the grass would grow for the selectors’ cattle.
The establishment of forest nurseries is recommended for almost eveiy thickly populated district; but there
is a difference of opinion as to whether the new forests planted therefrom should consist principally of
native or exotic trees. Whei-e trees have to be planted, this may remain an open question, and trees of every
sort set out to prove which is best. But it is plain that, where any great extent of land has to be covered with
timber, the spontaneous growth of native trees will have to bo indncipally depended on. In all old forests,
excepting where the land is rich, seedlings rise in great number.s, and the best, if allowed room, soon grow
into vigorous trees. The before-mentioned residents at Bontherambo state that a portion of their property
near Waugaratta, which was cultivated twenty years since, is again almost as heavily timbered as the waste
land — but, of eourso, with young trees only. Even in many’ parts of the colony now open, and far from any
forest, seedling trees of different sorts grow up if the land be ploughed and allowed to lie otherwise untilled
for a year or two. These facts point plainly to the source whence our forests must be renewed, as the young
trees raised in nurseries, and planted out, whether native or exotic, can go but a little way towards meeting
the future forest requirements of the colony.

Forest Boards.

Query 6. Are you of opinion that local forest boards should be constituted, subject to some
general regulations issued by Government ; or can you suggest any other efficient organi-
zation by which the forests of this colony could be better watched, enlarged, or restored,
and rendered productive to the utmost ?

This question resolves itself into two parts, the one relating to forest boards, and the other to the
preservation and rendering productive of the present forests. From all parts of the colony, where trees
are worth looking after or caring for, the ojsinion is in favor of local boards of management, with various
modifications. One recommendation is, that in addition to the members of local public bodies, so many of
whom are likely to be changed each year, a few non-official residents should be appointed, to allow of the
business being conducted with more, regularity and steadiness. Another is, that there should be an
Inspector-General of Forests, with a staff of conipetent men under him to advise or act with the local
boards. A third is, that there should be a Department of Agriculture, Woods, and Forests, presided
over by a Minister of Agriculture, and that all the rangers should be properly trained foresters. Different
constitutions have been proposed for the central body, but the opinion seems to be very general that there
should be something of the sort to provide for the proper training of foresters or forest rangers. On the
other hand, it has been stated that the experience of the management of Crown lands by local bodies has
been, on the whole, very unsatisfactory. About three millions of acres of lauds reserved for commons, parks,
and gardens in country districts have been under such local management, and the result of such management
has been that the funds available for local imju'ovements from agistment of commons have been exceedingly
small, and that, with a few remarkable exceptions, the trustees and committees of management of parks and
gardens in couutiy districts have either neglccteil arboriculture in such reserves or been very unsuccessful
in their planting operations, notwithstanding the aid derived from donations of money’ by the Board of Land
and Works, donations of plants from the Director of the Botanic Gardens, and funds obtained in many
instances from the letting of j)ortions of such reserves by the local boards in charge thereof. It has therefore
been suggested that the Board of Land and Works, being by law the custodian in its corporate capacity of
all reserves, and being empowered to frame for the care, protection, and management of such reserves
regulations, the violation of which would subject offenders to severe penalties, all State forests should bo
under the general control of such board, and that local boards should merely be boards of managers to carry
out the regulations from time to time made by the Board of Land and Works for the care, protection, and
management of the various State forests ; also that all the larger State forests should be under the immediate
supervision of such board and of its responsible otlicers.

THE CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF FORESTS.

The matter of fact view of the second part of the question is, that forests will pay well for being
taken care of. But the amount of care recommended depends on the exigencies of each district. Where
timber is becoming very scarce, it is proposed that the timber be treated strictly as the property of the

19

boards, and that it be felony to cut a tree until it has been sold by the ranger. According to this plan, the
trees for sale should all be marked in a certain way, and disposed of by auction at regular periods. \\ hei e
timber is rather more abundant, but still scarce, it is proposed that sawyers, splitters, mid wood-carters
be charo-ed hio-lier foes than at iiresent for licenses, ami that no tree bo cut until marked for falling by tho
ran<rer ° Tlie^granting of licenses to cut trees indiscriminately, and to uso only one length or two of the
trunk, is protested against as a piece of nccdle.ss and wasteful extrayagance, except in tho very large forests
away from the settled districts. Tho heads of such trees left scattered about to dry are also the cause of
forest fires being far moro fierce and destructive than they otherwise would be. It is therefore deemed
hi-rhly necessary that, wherever fire-wood is required, tho persons falling each tree should be obliged to cut
upland remove the head within a limited time. Tho present orders to that effect are seldom or never
oLyod. Where firewood is becoming scarce, it is proposed that the cutting down of living trees foi this
purpose should bo absolutely forbidden so long as there is any dead timber unused on the ground. 1
proLsses of rinn-ing and stripping off sheets of bark are so uuprofitably destructive of vahiable timber, it
fs considered tlmt, for tho future, both should be entirely forbidden on all Crown lands. Even in some of
the lar<m forcsis. straight free-splitting barrels are becoming scarce, and the sawyers have to go a lo"g
in for foo-s, because the best trees are those off which the bark is most easily strqiped, and so many have
been thus spoiled. Some glaring instances arc given of tho cutting of enormous quantities of saplings fo
Ses and S where props a?e urgently needed by the miners. A very few years of growth would
convert these saplings into valuable props, whereas they make poor fences. It is therefore consideied
that this use of voung timber should be entirely put a stop to also. It is alleged that in those distiicts
with scarce, the forests will far moro than pay for their maintenance and increase

if treated as they are in most parts of Germany or Switzerland, where each town or village has a foiest
or part of a forest for the use and benefit of its inhabitants. Further details are entered ^ ^

your correspondents, but it is of more consequence just now to securo tho recognition of piinciples alto^ethe
new here in regard to forest management.

Soi'PLY OF Native Timber.

Ouery 7. How long will the suppli/ of native timber probably last in your locality under existing
arrangements, bearing in view the likelihood of a continuous increase of the population t

Of course the answer to this question from several districts is, that the supply will last for an
indefinite period ; but it is quite otherwise in far too many places. Even where the country used to be
covered wfth timber this is now becoming scarce. Commencing near Melbourne, we

future for the wood-carters of Boroondara, as the estimates vary from only three to five years foi the
continuance of the supply, and the majority of the inhabitants of the district earn their living by selling
firewood in town. SoLo of these men cart it a long distance from Crown lands, but many have even now
to purchase by the load off private land, to sell again with little profit. I rom Greensborough the repoit
is that all the timber will have been removed in a very short time from Crown land within reach of those
who cart it into town, and that then all the firewood will have to bo purchased off private land.
Continuiu"- tho circuit round Melbourne, tho supply becomes more scanty until the plains aie reached,
where there is absolutely none left. Near Geelong, as there was more open country at first, the supply
is more completely exhausted. To both places the timber for building purposes has to be brought fiom
a ir^ disrnce pHncipally by water. In the neighborhood of Belfast no timber for such purposes is
Lw re brlmd wid.iu carting distance; all has to be imported from Tasmania. Around Cranbourne, in
tho midst of what was formerly a thickly timhered country, we are told that there is now no timbei fit foi
anythin- but fuel and the rouglLt of fencing. Within the last twenty-five years half the original timbei
has disappeared hy removal in clearing for cultivation, by barking, ringing, and the ravages of insects , and
it is SEcd tlmt in fifty years there will not be a living tree left, except the few that are being plan ed
From Berwick much nearei- to the ranges, the statement is that the supply will be equal to the demand, if
the youn- trees are allowed to live. Near Bacchus Marsh there is scarcely enough for firewood, e^eept on
private property, and the little there is the selectors arc rapidly destroying. All over the plains firewood
was scaree^from tho first, and of course the supply does not increase. Even at Campeidown it is said
that the -ood timber within twenty miles will not last for more than about the same number of ’.ears.
And takin- the whole county of Ileytesbury, containing a large portion of the great Cape Otway forest
it is eLimated that, if the preLt scale of destruction by splitting, ringing, barking, and burning is allowed
to continue, there will not be a tree left before the lapse of half a century.

TIMBER ON THE GOLDFIEI.DS.

The fore-oing estimates and statements m.ay bo taken as affording a fair average view of timbei
prospects over tlie country generally ; but when we come to the goldfields matters begin to assume a much
more serious aspect. Of Castlemaine, the town clerk writes— “ I he timber in this disti ict is disap-
pearin- very rapidly from the want of proper supervision ; tho saplings are cut down, the trees are not
Lin- replaced, the seedlings are destroyed by goats; the wood-cutters and others, now unrestricted, are
causfng tL most reckless destruction. In this borough about 30,000 tons are annually consumed foi fi.^
wood, besides large quantities used for mining plant and other purposes; herefore, unless some p otcctive
measures are enforced, the timber will be exhausted by the present population in a very few jVt

Sandhurst the state of affairs is similar. On this point one correspondent says- '
of timber is used, winter and summer, for the engines employed in quartz-crushing. is a a
winter before last many stopped crushing for want of firewood. Ihe timber had to be Carted so far, with
foe bush a mere swamp, that the horses couhl not bring it in.” On many of the engine claims fuel has
Ion- been a heavy item in the cost of obtaining gold, but now, as alluded to above, work has too frequently
to be stopped whL tho roads are very wet and bad, the extra expenditure on cart.ii^g then abreidung all
the profitb% About Daylesford it is said that there is fencing timber enough to last with care foi
twenty years, but that this is becoming scarce in places even now; and that, if enough forest land is pei-
mauently reserved, there will be a continuous supply of firewood, but that, if props are allowed to be cut as

20

they are at present in the State forests, in defiance of the regulations, there will bo none left in ten years.
From all the districts in which there is deep sinking, you have the same complaints about the props. Not
only is the distance from w-hich they have to be carted increasing every year, but the prospect is that, at the
present rate of use and destruction, there will soon be absolutely none left. From Creswick the statement is
that, if the present wasteful system is followed, the supply of any sort wall last but a few' years ; from Clunes,
that all timber, except firewood, has to be carted a distance of at least fifteen n)iles ; and from Newstcad
and other places around, that all the timber goes to Chines, and that it w'ill be all used in from five to ten
years. Even at Bungaree we are told that all the good trees are cut, and that only firewood is left. Young
trees are, however, growing up, and will make props if preserved long enough. From Smythesdalo the
report is that the useful timber is nearly exhausted now', and, that in tw’o years there will be none left outside
of the fences round private property and selected allotments. , It has been stated that the pow'er given by
the Mining Statute to any holder of a miners’ right to obtain on Crown lands wh.atcver timber or bark ho
requires for personal use, without being subjected to the conditions and restrictions imposed on holders of
wood licenses, has been greatly abused, and lias greatly tended to bring about the present scarcity of timber
on some of the goldfields. Such are fair samples of the reports from the dilFcrent districts; but some could
be adduced of a still more unfavorable character. One fact alluded to by some of your correspondents has
an important bearing on tho future supply of timber, and this is the dying off of some kinds of eucalyptus
over large tracts of country. The inferior sorts are those which have perished most generally ; but a resident
at Mount Battery says — “ Tw'enty years ago this estate, 20,000 acres, w'as covered with valuable red-gum
limber of excellent growth. This has been, I may say, entirely destroyed during the last ten years by a
parasitical disease. The leaf is covered with a smalt insect under a flat shell which destroys the foliage,
and in two or three years the tree perishes. There are no young ones S23ringing up in their place, and,
without planting, the land will be denuded in a few' years.” The objectionable insect is plainly a variety
of the coccus or scale, and is more probably a consequence rather than the cause of disease in this case, for
it is not present where other var-ictics of gum die over miles and miles of country'. The actual cause of
tho trees dying over these wide spaces ai)pears to be still a mystery, in many instances.

The Preseevatiox of Youno Trees.

Query 8. JVhat means would you recommend for preventing the destruction of young trees on
abandoned mining land, or elsewhere ?

'I'he suggestions for the protection of young trees are few in number, but very much to the point.
MThero the w'ant of timber is becoming most felt, it is recommended that tho cutting of seedlings and
saplings, or off-shoots, shall be absolutely prohibited except by the forest rangers and their assistants, and
that they shall only cut what ought to be removed in their periodical thinnings. As a rule, seedlings grow
much too thickly, and are the better for being judiciously thinned once or twice a year; but when carters
are allowed to help themselves they take the best, regardless of the future. So with off-shoots — if one or
two only are left to each stump, they become in a few years useful for jn-ops or firewood, but if too many
are left none attain any size. Where timber is loss scarce, it is ywoposed that no seedlings or saplings be
cut until they have reached a certain size, and that tho cutting take place as much as possible under
the inspection or direction of the rangers. The young growth should bo protected everywhere from
stock by secure fencing, and goats at large should be destroyed. License-holders are not allowed to keep
these animals according to tho terms of their licenses, but there are many men residing in, or close to the
boundaries of the forests, who are not licensed, and w'ho can therefore keep goats with impunity, to run
over the forest land and increase as they please. There are besides, in many places, flocks of half-wild
goats without owners, and these destroy numbers of 3 'oung trees. Everywhere close fencing is insisted on
for forest reserves, and protection, more or less stringent, for the young timber. This last is given as one of
the reasons why general regulations will only bo found applicable to certain localities, and why these should
be supplemented w'ith si)ecial regulations suitable to the requirements of each forest. Bush fires are
pointed out as one source of great danger to young trees, and the present regulations are intended to guard
partially against these, by requiring sawyers and splitters to cut up and stack the tops of tho trees felled
by them ; but, in the first jilace, there are not bailiffs or rangers enough to see that those rules are enforced ;
and even when the heads are cut up, the small branches, leave.s, and bark will be left on the ground to dry,
forming the sort of fuel especially calculated to spread the flames. These, as the Director of the Botanic
Gardens has iminted out, might be advantageously consumed for the yield of oil, tar, or jwtash. On nearly
all the old forest laud seedlings grow abundantly ; but it is suggested, where this happens not to bo the
case, that seeds, for sowing broadcast in the most appropriate places, should be obtained from other districts.

Begulations.

Query 9. What regulations or bye-laws would you recommend to be adopted in your district
for the disposal of timber on Croivri lands to supply existing wants ?

Tho urgent necessity for efldciently protecting young trees was before mentioned as one reason why
each district should have its own bye-laws, but many more are adduced in answer to this question. In some
districts the opinion is that no person whatever should be allowed to cut trees or saplings without a license,
the charge for this to vary in amount to farmers, wood-carters, sawyers, or splitters. Others, again, say that
every tree should he sold by auction before it is cut ; while, according to some, timber as it leaves the forest
should be paid for by the load — so much for straight timber and so much for crooked timber or firewood.
The revenue thus obtained would be in exact proportion to tho amount of timber taken, which it certainly
is not under the licensing system. As an instance of the income to be derived from the sale of firewood
alone, Castlemainc is mentioned. We are told that, if the carters had to jiay sixjience a load for the firewood
consumed in tho borough, the amount collected from this source alone would be £750 a year, and the
inhabitants would derive benefit for the slightly increased cost by the greater abundance at a future day,
if the income so derived were to be expended in economizing the present supp)lj', so as to make it last longer.
But such an income would not only allow of that, but also of very much increasing the supply for the future.

21

The revenue from tlie State forests, if thus raised by the actual sale of timber, where possible, would soon
become a very large one. Details are entered into as to the special requirements of different districts, with ^
regard to the preservation of certain kinds of timber now becoming scarce, the care of young trees, tlie
making of [)hmtatious, and so on; and it has been very generally suggested that each forest board should
have charge of the reserved forests within its own district, with power to raise a revenue therefrom, and
expend it as may be deemed most advantageous. Under such a system the Board of Land and Works
would only have to issue such general regulations as might be deemed advisable from time to time, reserving,
as a matter of course, the right to adopt or reject any sjrecial regulations submitted by each board.

The PtANTiNO OF Treks on Private Property.

Query 10. What measure of encouragement would you recommend to promote to the utmost
the growth of timber on private land?

For the promotion of this object the same idea, which has been lately carried out in New Zealand,
seems to have suggested itself to some of your correspondents, namely, the granting of land in proportion
to the extent successfully planted with exotic or native trees. The several proposals amount to tliis, that
land certificates be offered to every owner of five, ten, twenty, thirty, or more acres of healthy growing
trees, planted out three, or four, or five years, as may be deemed fit, the proportion of land to be so offered
varying with the fancy of the writer. Home propose acre for aero ; others, more liberal or better acquainted
with the cost of planting, would give five acres of bush land for every acre planted. Premiums of other
sorts arc also named, including prizes offered by agricultural societies ; but these last wmuld scarcely suffice
for inducement to plant, unless the ordinary amounts of such prizes are greatly increased. One suggestion
is, that tho young trees should bo raised at forest nurseries, under the care either of local boards or the
Inspector of Forests, and that money premiums should be offered to the successful growers of certain
numbers of these for five or seven years. The raising of such trees at public nurseries seems to bo a
favorite idea — these to be either given away or sold at cost price. It is stated that many owners of laud,
who cannot afford to pay the prices asked by nurserymen, would plant and take care of trees, if they
could obtain them at a low rate. And this view of the case is put in different forms. Some would not
only have the trees given away, but they require, in addition, full instructions for planting and tending
them, together with particulars as to the future value of the sorts recommended, at different periods of their
growth. Others more reasonably ask that information of this kind be first distributed through tho country,
and that the young trees be in due timo distributed, at cost price, to all such as may require them. Others,
again, ask for information and a free distribution of tho seeds of such trees as it may be desirable to grow,
whether native or exotic. It is pointed out that tho cost of collecting seeds here is not much, and as
these are so highly valued^ in other countries' — France, for instance — that we could obtain cheaply all tho
seeds wc would require to import by establishing a system of exchange. But this would have to be
conducted through a Government department, or entirely trustworthy agents. Then, as many farmers, who
cannot afford to buy them, would like~tohave young trees to plant out for shelter, it is suggested that
persons farming their own land might h.ave a certain number of trees from the forest nurseries, in propor-
tion to every acre cultivated. One idea is, that owners of land by tho side of wide roads should be allowed
to fence in a certain width of tho land reserved for tho road, if they would undertake to plant this. And
as to the roads generally, it is suggested by many of your correspondents, that the local managing bodies,
whether councils or forest boards, should bo compelled to plant trees along them every year, tho numbers
so planted to bo in proportion to their revenue from forests or other sources, the distance of the trees
apart to be regulated by some general rules. Common suggestions are, also, that plantations of anything
over an acre in extent should he exempt from r.ates or charges of any kind, and that trees planted by
selectors should be liberally estimated, when valuing their improvements. The bulk of (he recommenda-
tions are, however, to the effect that young trees of useful kinds should bo raised in large quantities in forest
nurseries, by competent men in the service of the State, or of local boards these to be afterwards planted
out according to the mode experiment may prove most desirable. If owners of land would not buy them,
they might be given away ; or, as was done in France once with mulberries, even a premium might bo
offered for successfully growing the sorts most valuable to the country. But the necessity for not sending
out the young trees until they have atiained to a good size is strongly insisted on. Tho sending out of
young trees of considerable size to distant localities is not only too expensive, but in many respects an
impossibility, especially as regards tho evergreen sorts. Hence the necessity for local nurseries.

Planting of L^vnd beside the Railways.

Query 11. Would you recommend the pla7iting of olives, figs, mulberries, cork-oaks, various
timber and fruit trees, or the rearing of suck other specially useful plants as are neither
readily inflammable nor of tall growth along securely fenced railway lines, where the
space is sufficiently wide ; and how could this be best accomplished?

The general opinion is in favor of planting tho vacant spaces beside tho railway lines, but
there is nothing like unanimity as to the kind of trees with which these should be planted. A few have
recommended that the European system be adopted — that of economizing the land to the utmost, by planting
it with low-growing and dwarf fruit trees. This would, in fact, necessitate the letting off, in small portions,
of this now unused land ; for fruit trees could only be planted to serve private interests. Were these to be
planted by the State, or by public bodies, the fruit would be an attraction to children when ripe, and
would possibly be the cause of accidents of a serious nature. The loss would be certain, and injury to life
or limb not improbable. Tho growing of fruits suitable for drying is part of a plan suggested for making
such strips of land useful in trying experiments with the aid of prison labor. The men might be con-
veyed by train to any portion of tho line, and then employed in digging or trenching the land ; this to bo
afterwards planted with olives, mulberries, raisin vines, figs, almonds, or such trees as would afford products

for the occupation of children. The children might ho conveyed to and fro likotvise, when tending the
trees or gathering the fruit. But the only saving to be thus ed'ected would be in the use of land already
fenced ; and where land is so plentiful, and the prisons and industrial schools not immediately on the lines
of railway, the loss of time would more than counterbalance any saving in the cost of fencing. Others
besides fruit trees are recommended, to be planted by prison labor, or whatever men may happen to bo
available from public establishments; the tending or other light work to bo done by the women and
children from these. Many portions of those strips of land would be highly suitable for the olive or the
mulberry, neither tree bearing fruit attractive to children, and the produce when needed could be taken by
rail to places suitable for the erection of mills or the keejiing of silk-worms. Various modifications of the
system of rendering pri.son or other State labor available for the planting of such strips of land have been
proposed. For instance, as before mentioned, the frees might bo planted, tended, and the produce afterwards
rendered marketable wholly by men, women, and children from .State establishments ; or the trees might be
planted and tended to a profitable age, and the plantations so established then let to tenants for a period of
years ; or the land might be merely trenched by prisoners, and then let to tenants, to be furnished also,
from State nurseries, with such young trees as it might be desirable to have the ground planted with.
Then a mixed system of gardening and railway repairing is suggested. Men competent to undertake the
ordinary repairs might be placed in charge of certain short portions of the lines, to be visited frequently,
while their extra lime might bo expended on the land at each side in gardening or planting trees. The
cork-oak and bitter almond arc pointed out by many as very suitable trees; but there is a direct opposition
of opinion amongst your correspondents as to whether the lines should be planted with deciduous or ever-
green trees. Tho former are recommended by some as afibrding shade in summer, and a free access of light
and air in winter ; while tho falling leaves are objected to by others as likely to increase the danger of fires.
There is, however, at certain seasons a considerable fall of leaves from evergreen trees. This danger of fire
is one to be carefully guarded .agaiust, and a proposed mode of doing so is to cause all the trees to grow
with high stems, to allow of cattle or shee|) grazing beneath the branches and eating the grass bare. It is
oven suggested that, whether trees are planted or not, no grass should be allowed to live, the ground being
covered with some strong-growing variety of raesembryauthemum, which would remain green throughout
the summer. Such and so many are the opinions in regard to planting the vacant land beside the railways ;
and although the schemes for rendering this available may be only partially feasible, tho fact remains that
there is, on tho wholo, a rather largo extent of fenced-in land of almost every quality ready for the trial
of experiments or tho formation of State nurseries.

Industrial Schools and other State Estarlishments.

Query 12. IIoxo could the labor available at State establishments, schools, hospitals, or atip
other public institutions be advantageously utilized for the furtherance of such new
industries as those beloio mentioned ?

One of your correspondents, a settler near Ballarat, taking a comprehensive view of this question,
has wisely written — “ I cousidor the subjects of query 12 of vastly more practical importance than all tho
rest on the paper, which may bo safely left to privato enterprise. That question must be considered and
determined by the statesman and ratepayer when they can deal with it wholly apart from political bias.”
That is to say, it will bo for the statesman to determine first, what sort of training for neglected children
and prisoners will be most beneficial for themselves and tho country, or what new industries are adapted
to its special requirements ; then for tlio ratepayer to say how much he is inclined to expend on converting
useless and detrimental into useful members of society, or on the introduction of new industries, affording
no immediate return, but likely at a future day to be the source of profitable employment to many people.
State establishments for farming aud such ordinary occupations are generally, and strictly speaking, failures
from a monetary point of view ; but children and prisoners have to be fed aud clothed, aud if the money returns
from their labor are small, they might, with most advantage, be einjiloyed on special industries calculated to
aflbrd valuable teaching to llieftiselvos and others. Therefore it is at Slate establishments that new industries
likely to be of use to tbo country ought, in tho opinion of your correspondents, to be first tried. Tho State
can obtain more completo information about these than private individuals, and the State has the land
and the labor of men, women, and children to carry out the experiments at little extra cost. Olivo
oil and silk are more particularly jininted out as two products requiring tho teaching and example of
tho State to make them popular within any reasonable spado of time. On this head gentlemen before
quoted say — “ \\ o strongly recommend extensive plantations of olives and mulberries in connection with
tho industrial schools ; oil manufactories and maguaneries to be of course in connection with these
plantations, otherwise the experiments would bo useless.” Much ground might be trenched and many
olive and mulberry trees planted each j'ear without adding materially to tho expense of our gaols.
When these come into bearing there are women and children to make use of tho products. Thus it is
recommended that there should be largo reserves of lands round every industrial school or other place
intended for the rece])tion of men, women, aud children to bo maiutuined by the State, in order that outdoor
occupation should bo' found for these, rather than work at tho ordinary indoor trades and occupations, so
liable to bo overstocked. Besides, it is thought by many that prison or State labor should not bo brought
into competition with that of private individuals; and new rural industries would have the advantage of not
causing any such competition, either in regard to tho products or the persons trained in them. Take, for
instance, the two articles already mentioned, olive oil and silk. Tho competition of the State can never
reduce the value of these, nor of opium, aud other minor products of a like kind, while the example and
tho opportunity of learning how to conduct these now industries would be most beneficial to tho coramunit}'.
Ihus, for many reasons, tlie introduction of now rural industries is commended to tbo care of tho State.
By means of several ot these, occupation can best bo found for many of tho children now at the schools
half idle, or, at tho best, only learning trades at which they have not teaching or piuctico enough to become
proficient. The nature of the work would be mostly of a kind suited to tho capacity and favorable to
tho health of children, and boys and girls old enough to go out lo service would easily obtain the best of
situations. 'Ihe now industries would be brought into extended operation firat bv tho most intelligent of
our settlers, and tho children becoming skilled in these at the industrial schools would bo eagerly employed
as teachers of others ; while as now, only half-taught, they are taken from the schools to bo put to tho

lowest drudgery. The two products named would only provide employment for a short time in each year,
but, with the addition of drying fruits, gathering ten, preparing medicinal herbs, and, ns has been suggested,
the steeping and scutching of flax, full employment for the twelvemonth could bo provided. With a
judicious choice of such occupations or branches of industry, those schools might be made in a few years,
to a great extent, if not entirely, self-supporting, and it would be not only advantageous to themselves but
to the State to keep the lads and girls until they had been fully instructed in the several now industries. As
soon as there were mulberry or ailautus trees of sufficient age, by the work of a few weeks in summer in
tending silk-worms, each child could earn enough to pay all its expenses for the year. And the same
might be said of opium, while this last has the advantage of being gathered within a few months of sowing
the seed. It is with a full knowledge of what may bo done by children in some of these, to us, novel
industries, that they are specially recommended by many of your correspondents for our State establish-
ments. But there is a difficulty, not overlooked cither, and that is to find persons competent to teach them.
There appears to bo no want of skill in the actual work needed, even in the colony, but few skilled workmen
are good teachers of children. The real difficulty, it is said, will be to find a person or persons with the
faculty of organizing such a system as will render the skilled workmen or workwomen and the children
of mutual advantage, each to the other.

Rdrai, Education.

Query 13. What means, heifond the facilities ahead;/ existing, might he chosen to diffuse
industrial and agricultural education through the colony ?

The want of education seems to be widely felt, for not one of the questions has boon so generally or
fully answered as this. Every possible mode of instruction is indicated as desirable for one or other section
of the rural population. Many of your correspondents are in favor of lectures, and, according to their widely
diverging ideas, these should vary from lectures of the very highest class, delivered in the halls of the
University by a professor of agriculture, to the homely teaching of a peripatetic lecturer at every farmer’s
fireside throughout the country. And as to schools, the range is equally wide, from an agricultural college
on the model of that at Cirencester to the evening school for boys and farm laborers, at which the teaching
should bo of a special kind and the payments very small. Nor has there been any omission of the means
for teaching adults, including agricultural and produce shows of every kind, farmers’ clubs, model farms or
gardens, and books, tracts, or pamphlets, specially prepared and published for use in the colony. In the
answers to this question agriculture seems to have almost entirely occupied tho minds of the writers, other
industries having been but lightly and rarely touched on.

AGUICULTURAL LECTURES.

Lectures are much in vogue nowaday-s, and many of your correspondents seem to consider, that in
this way information might be imparted most quickly and generally. Aware of the difficulty of finding men
qualified for this task, some suggest that lecturers, well acquainted with the wants and practice of the
colony, should bo sent to other countries, such as France, Germany, Italy, Algiers, or even China and
Japan, to pick up fresh ideas and useful plants for the benefit of agriculturalists here. And while learning
in these countries they might furnish valuable reports on the agricultural practice or rural industries likely
to be suitable for colonial adoption. When a few competent lecturers are either found or trained for tho
pui-pose, they might be employed partly in addressing to the members of agricultural societies or farmers’
clubs papers carefully prepared for publication, and for the remainder of their time in travelling through the
country. But on this j)oint it is best to give the opinions of some of your correspondents in their own words.
Thus, tho Ballarat gentleman before quoted .says, in answer to this question — “By the appointment of a few
Government agents or travellers, who should be always on the move through their respective districts. They
should bo men of ability and energy, with good ideas of agricultural and industrial pursuits : men of good
.and simple manners, who could associate with all classes of society, draw attention to defects in any system
of culture or manufacture, point out errors and remedies, recommend improvements and alterations ; and they
should report quarterly to some responsible head the various merits and demerits they had noted in their
respective districts, the rates of progress and improvement, together with their own suggestions — such reports
to bo published regularly and widely circulated.” An answer from Heathcoto is in a similar strain, viz. —
“ By lectures in the most central places, and expositions of the result of analyses of a few of the soils in eaeh
place, and also of the cereals and vegetables grown in such district. If such information and any other
considered useful were published in a cheap pamphlet form, I believe it would be of advantage to agricul-
turists.” Then, tho answer of a settlor near Harrow is : — “Lecturers skilled theoretically and practically
in scientific agriculture, as established by the chemical researches of Liebig and others, might be sent through
tho country, who should examine carefully the natural advantages and capabilities of each district, and
embody the results of their investigations in lectures to tho agriculturists ; pointing out to them in what w.ay
tho soil of their respective districts might bo most profitably cultivated. These lectures might be afterwards
printed and circulated amongst those interested.” One more from tho many answers in favor of lectures
will suffice. It is from tho president of tho Newstead Shire Council, showing how agricultural education
might bo diffused through the country by “the employment by the Government of a qualified practical
and scientific agriculturist, who would be capable of delivering and publishing lectures, these to bo
circulated amongst the various agricultural societies. They, in their turn, should supply information
on questions put, and furnish treatises on matters that may have come under their notice by practical
experience. I think, also, analyses of the different soils should be made.” It is pointed out that, as there
is a very general desire amongst tho farmers for information and improvement, lectures would bo well
attended ; but to come in contact with the bulk of that class lecturers would have to travel through every
district and bo content to address a few at a time. Set lectures, prepared for delivery to a picked audience,
and after-publication, would of course bo needed, but homely instruction of a less formal character is more
generally asked for and would, it is supposed, be likely to effect most good.

AGRICULTURAL SCHOOLS.

As before indicated, a few of your correspondents r.sk for an agricultural college, in which young men
could be thoroughly trained in practice and well grounded in all the requisite sciences; but the majority are
more moderate in their demands, asking for scliools of dillcrent grades. The difficulty of providing for

24

schools of a high class, specially adapted for imparting agricultural education, is plainly shown by one
writer, who says — “The number and means of the farmers arc not sufficient to support schools such as
■would bo calculated to improve much upon the knowledge ordinarily acquired by practice.” This difficulty
is so apparent and so generally recognized, that most of the suggestions are for the addition of agriculture
in some shape or form, or ol the branches of knowledge specially bearing on it, to the regular course of
teaching at the common and ordinary schools throughout the country districts. It is recommended, in the
first place, that there should be a good-sized piece of land attached to each school. The before quoted
resident near Mansfield is rather more ambitious than most of your correspondents on this subject, for
he says, in anstver to query l.'i — “By the establishment of agricultural schools in agricultural districts,
mining schools in mining districts, and technological schools in manufacturing districts — a small model
farm at our common school at Mansfield, the boys attending which are all intended to assist their parents
on their farms, and they can be taught to bo good farmers. A well-chosen and appropriate piece of
land is the first requisite, then an intelligent instructor, who, for four hours a day, ■n'ould teach the boys
.an improved ."ystem of farming practically, by working them in the v.arious parts of the farm and garden.
I he girls might also, at the same j)lace, be instructed in the parts of farm industry for which they are
adapted, and which would give them habits and tastes that would be of the greatest benefit and happiness
to them in after-life.”^ In support of this view as to the best mode of extending agricultural education,
the mayor of Sale adduces the following instance : — “ Increase the facilities for obtaining such knowledge
by affiliating classes for these studies. At Sale, a class for technological education has been very success-
fully carried on in connection with the common school for some time ]>ast.” Following up this view of
the question, we have the opinion of the mayor of Koroit, in the Warrnambool district, who writes —
“I think industrial schools might bo established with advantage. 'I bis mieht be gradually grafted on our
common school system ; say by attaching a few acres of land to one school in each district, where industrial
expoilments might be carried out. ’ Still another gentleman, the mayor of Portland, is of the same
opinion in regiird to the dii’cctiou teaching at the common schools should take, for he says — “Bv giving (he
teachers at the common schools an agricultural training, and granting to each country school sullicient land
say six or seven acres for experimental farming purposes — education of this kind would bo mch promoted.”
Again, the answer of a settler at the M immera to this qucsiion is — “By teaching the outlines of agriculture
in all the schools in the colony, each large school to have a museum ot <lricd specimens of .agricultural products,
bulb.s, and all usetul herbs, their uses to be explained to the schoiai’s.” A resident of Cranbournc v,*rites —
“In country schools tnerc shouhl be at least halt .an hour a day devoted to agricultural (caching, which
■would prove both recreative and instructive. Such instruction could be acquired from printed directions,
and would prove highly .attractive.” An innabitant of Geelong exjircssc.s bis opinion that “the upper
classes of our common schools shouhl be taught the rudiments of chemistry and physiology.” A resident at
Camperdown s.ays — “ I think public education shonid bo made compulsory, and technological education should
bo imp.arted in the common schools.” I could add m.any more iinswcrs of this kind, tegethor with suggestions
for giving the children a special interest in the teaching they would receive, such as allotting to each
of the older ones a portion of ground to crop as he pleased, with annual premiums for the most productive
piece or most valu.able crop ; allotting to each a garden, with annu.al premiums, and so on. But a
few of your correspondent.s take a wider view of th.^j question. For instance, gentleman at Bungareo
says — “ Ilavo a Minister of Agriculture ; .also, let one half-day in every week bo set apart in all common
schools throughout the colony for the purpose of teaching this p.articular branch. Make it a part of the
programme of a teacher’s qualifications.” Very similar is the opinion of a settler near Warrnambool—
“I think that, so far as agriculture is concerned, the interest is of sufficient importance for the .appointment
of a Minister of Agriculture, and that local societies should be established in the various districts. I think,
moreover, that, in the '.agricultural districts especially, children should bo given some practical knowledge
of farming and g.ardening at schools, .and the taste* once acquired in youth would never fail to exhibit
its good effects in after-life.” The adv.autages to be gained from the establishment of ■well-conducted
night-schools is clearly pointed out by a resident at Creswick— “ If night-schools were established
in the country districts, they might be so conducted as to diffuse a large amount of information
on agricultural subjects. Circulating libraries might bo connected with snch schools, the books
being chosen specially in reference to .agriculture and kindred subjects.” The quotations on this
branch of the subject may conclude with a recommendiition from the town clerk and surveyor at
Clunos, who says — “ I would suggest the prepar.ation of .a few cards for hanging in the various
country common schools, which would contain a few of the leading principles to bo observed in the
successful pr.actice of farming.” ffhis idea may be well extended, so as to include illustrated tables
like those lately obtained from the Government printing office at Sydney on the silkworm. In this
last, the insect is admir.ably depicted in every stage of its growth and every change, and the illustrations
are ^ accompanied by letter-press directions for feeding and general man.agement, translated from the
Italian. Ihus a vast amount of useful information might bo conveyed to the children at these schools,
more jiarticularly if the teachers would give a lecture occasionally in familiar terms on the subjects
illustrated. But the representations of insects, animals, produce, or machinery, should bo correct and
artistic, for early impressions last long, and care should bo taken to make these an aid rather than a bar
to improvement. The above quotations are but a few out of the many answers and suggestions received on
this branch of the subject of education ; still, they furnish material for a very complete system.

TEACIIIKG FOE ADULTS.

Lectures are of course adapted for the teaching of both old and young, and schools are for the young
alone ; but I now come to the means proposed for the teaching of adults. And the farmer especially has
need to be constantly learning. As long as scientific investigation lasts, so long will new truths be
discovered, and not only have these to be learned, but also the many fresh combinations of the old truths.
Then mechanical improvements never cease, and, with the competition of the present day, the farmer has
as much need of cheap power as the manufacturer. Thus the farmer must be a reading man now, and the
want most strongly insisted on is that of suitable books, or tr.acts or pamphlets, prepared for the special
requirements of the colony. It has been already seen that one of the chief advantages expected from

25

competent lecturers is the publication of their lectures for general dissemination throughout the country.
I could quote many answers in support of this view, but a few will suffice. Thus a gentleman of
Woodburii says — “I am of opinion that the State, in order to diffuse industrial and agricultural knowledge,
should collect and print at the expense of the State all information they can bearing on the modes of
cultivating different useful plants, thus forwarding all information they can procure to the various centres
of every kind of industry.” Again, a resident of Bacchus Marsh is of opinion “that there should
be an Agricultural and Industrial Department to collect information, and, when necessary, diffuse it through
the press and by means of pamphlets, also to collect and distribute seeds, and to collect information from
the growers thereof. A good agricultural chemist, to analyse soils, roots, and plants, to give lectures, &c.,
should also be under the control of the department.” Then a stockowner of the Wimmera says —
“A professor of agriculture might be appointed in the University. Lectures given in various places
throughout the colony, and published in newspapers and pamphlets, would assist this object.” There i*
also the following answer from Nunawading, viz.: — “The issuing of pamphlets on all matters concerning
the fostering of new industries would be an inducement to the farmers and gardeners to establish
agricultuial societies in the various country districts.” The Superintendent of the Botanic Gardens,
Castlemaine, believes that the spread of this special knowledge can be best promoted “by offering pre-
miums for the best essays on the culture and manufacture of certain articles not yet established in the
colony, and by maintaining in an efficient manner the botanic and horticultural gardens, where new plants
and f-uits should be tried and experimented on, and by taking respectable youths as apprentices into these
establishments.” This last is a good suggestion, although bearing little on the subject-matter im-
diately under notice — the providing of instructive publications, to be widely read. One correspondent
from Daylesford recommends — “ That the Government should annually give a substantial reward to either
one of the leading papers of the colony which should in the twelve months publish the best series of essays
on agriculture and new industries,” llowever the State is called upon to assist in promoting rural indus-
tries, old or new — whether by the formation of a department or otherwise — the collection and publication of
special information is one of the duties invariably insisted on.

LIBRARIES.

I have already noticed the suggestion that lending libraries should be established in connection wdth
evening schools, and it is recommended besides, that assistance should bo given to the formation of good
libraries of an agricultural character in connection with farmers’ clubs and rural societies of every kind.
Reading-rooms are also a country want ; but an agricultural population is so much scattered that, except in a
few districts, each room would have but few supporters.

farmers’ clubs.

Farmers’ clubs arc being formed slowly, owing to this difficulty in getting persons to meet for
their mutual benefit. But the good they might do is widely acknowledged, and various inducements are
suggested. One gentleman says that the spread of information would bo promoted by “ the organization
of farmers’ and gardeners’ mutual improvement societies and the establishment of experimental farms and
gardens.” By this gentleman it is supposed that the experimental farms and gardens would form a
nucleus for the improvement societies. And the following is the recommendation of a resident near
Ballarat ; — “Farmers’ clubs, which arc recently being established throughout the colony, should be
recognized by the Government by sending a thoroughly practical analytic chemist to deliver lectures
and to analyse the different soils.” According to another gentleman practically engaged in fanning, the
best teaching for farmers would be — “ 'i he encouragement of farmers’ Ibcieties and clubs in every district, as
the means most likely to benefit the husbandman. No one system of farming can be profitably followed in
Victoria. 1 have frequently observed the best cultivated fields yield the worst crops ; I therefore believe
that showing the practical results of success, and a description of failures by farmers, one to another, is
the agricultural education best adapted to the colony.” The word education is of course here used in a
limited sense, but very many believe, with the writer of the foregoing that practical farmers learn more in
discussions amongst themselves than in any other way. The answer of another practical farmer to the
question is — “Encourage pastoral and agricultural societies by liberally subsidizing only those which are
liberally supported by the communities in which they exist. Collect and make public the latest information
on such subjects. Encourage the establishment of farmers’ clubs in country districts.”

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.

The agricultural societies are frequently mentioned as vehicles for instruction, and one correspondent
believes that the endeavor to make our national society an imitation of the Royal Agricultural Society of
England would be worth all it would cost. But this would be a difficult task, for, in the first place, there
are not many men of means and leisure here to undertake the management of such a society with spirit,
and, in the next place, some of the country societies are too firmly established to tolerate any interrercnce
with them in their own districts. However, the Royal Society is only useful as a teacher bj' getting up
the best shows possible in the area within which its functions lie, and the same thing may be done
hero by our well-managed country societies. To enable them to do this, it is recommended that money
be placed at their disposal, to be offered in large prizes occasionally for such animals, or jiraduce, or
machinery, as their disiricts excel in. This principle was acted on by the laie Board of Agriculture, in
granting to one society, each year, a large sum of money in prizes for a national show ; and often, of late,
with a considerable degree of success. Certain it is, that, as pointed out, if agricultural shows are to be
looked on in their true light, and to be made valuable for instructing the practical farmers, every means
should be adopted to have them as good as they can be, and to prevent anything inferior from being
decorated with a prize ticket, owing to a want of competition. When public money is asked for, it is said
that the public have a right to demand that it be devoted to sound teaching, and that this should be the
main object of every agricultural society is allowed by including all suggestions for their improvement in
the answers to question 13.

No. 16.

C

26

EXPERIMENTAL FARMS AND GARDENS,

Experimental farms and gardens have been mentioned as a moans of teaching, and highly valuable
information can be gained at them if managed with judgment. One suggestion is that agricultural instruction
could be best promoted “by establishing model farms in the agricultural districts, from which the farmers
could get or buy plants or seeds.” But it has been pointed out by several farmers who have answered the
questions, as, for instance, the resident near Cranbourne before quoted, that there can bo no such thing as
model farming here, as no one system, not even one clearly defined mode of growing a single crop, can be
laid down as the best for all parts of the colony, or for the variable seasons here. Thus there can be no
model farm for imitation ; but every public farm should be for experiment, and every public g.ardon chiefly
for testing and growing plants, trees, or fruits, new or uncommon. Doubtless the practice at these institutious
should be worthy of imitation in regard to. deep tillage, the economic use of the best implements and
machinery, and soon ; but the great object, as pointed out by your most intelligent correspondents, should be
to fully prove at these farms and gardens every new plant or tree supposed to be a desirable addition to our
present stock, to increase and distribute through the country all wbicli prove suitable, and to report fully on
all tried, whether suitable or unsuitable. Every product required for novel industries might thus be raised,
as well as better varieties of our ordinary farm or garden crops. The quarterly or half-yeaily reports would
direct attention to these, and give the exact cost of everything raised, with the mode of treatment. Enquiry
w'ould thus be stimulated, and the new crops could be seen at every stage. It is thus public farms and
gardens would most efficiently perform the function of teaching, and if cverj' country school were to be supplied
with samples of the plants proved at the central establishments to be useful, the teaching might be made very
general. Teaching by direct example can be effected by establishing any of the w'ell-provcd industries of
other countries at the industrial schools, as, for instance, silk-producing, fruit-drying, or olive-oil -pressing ;
but with regard to these nothing neiy has to be learned — they have only to be naturalized. With farming,
in the extended sense of the word, it is very different. Such are, in a condensed form, the opinions of your
correspondents practically engaged in these pursuits.

Establishing of New Industries.

Query 14. Cun you offer any suggestions for the establishing of 7ieto indtistries in this colony,
through special immigration or otherwise ?

The answers to this question are few in number. One correspondent says — “ I believe there are
already men in this colony qualified to superintend almost any industry; and I would prefer a man with a
few years’ colonial, combined with old country experience, to a more active newly arrived immigrant, without
experience of the sudden and extreme changes of the climate.” Similarly another writes — “ I believe there
are competent men enough in this country for all branches of industry without special immigration, and
with a little fostering of the State new industries will sf)ring up and flourish.” A stockowner of the
Wimmera protests rather w'armly against the increase of the population for any such purpose as follows —
“ Do not mention immigration ; there are more people here now than can make a living. Last month I
accommodated and fed on an average about seventy men per night free. Those who chose to pay one
•shilling to the hospital got their victuals cooked. Out of 700 men, who came in a week or two, only seventy
paid tlie shilling.” On the other hand, a settler near Seymour says — “A few olive-oil makers and some
families from Cannes, and other places on the Mediterranean coast of France, where flower-farming and
scent-making are largely carried on, would, I believe, result favorably ; also silk growers and winders.”
Another gentleman gives it as his opinion that “a few skilled laborers in each industry would doubtless
be of great service in teaching the proper system of management;” and it is pointed out that men
skilled in the growing of hops and the preparation of flax and hemp are required ; but we are told
by all who acknowledge the want, except one or tw'O, that such skilled labor will prove to be in the
country as soon as the demand for it arises. Then the difficulty of inducing such people to come hither
is not overlooked. They are, for the most part, certain of constant employment in their own countries, if
deserving of this. A ivant of capital is referred to as likely to militate seriously against the establishment
of new iudustries. On another view of the question, a correspondent before quoted says — “ I make one
suggestion: when it is considered desirable to establish any new industry, offer through pastoral and
agricultural societies premiums for exhibits of certain quantities of its produce in the localities suitable for
carrying on such industry.” This inducement has been recommended in the answers to some of the
questions previously disposed of, and the principle has not been placed in any fresh aspect in connection
with this branch of the subject.

The Rearing and Education of Orphan Boys and Girls.

Query 15. What are your views as to the best method of apprenticing, or otherioise bringing up to
advantage, for industrial purposes, the destitute or neglected orphan fjjoys or girls who are
maintained at the expense of the Utate?

lu regard to this question opinions are divided as to the system of apprenticing. I may commence
with the arguments in favor of rearing neglected and destitute children at Government establishments.
First on this side comes the town clerk of Castlemaine, who says — “ Do not apprentice them to private
persons. Those who apply for friendless children arc frequently influenced by the knowledge that the
child is without a protector, and too frequently they are morally and physically neglected, .and prove
bad members of society. Presuming that it is the object of the Government to make the boys and
girls useful and industrious men and women, with an education in some labor, by which they may
obtain an honest livelihood, in lieu of being future criminals, they might be readily instructed in the
several branches of labor required in manufacturing wool into various fabrics of commercial value, a
great portion of the work requiring but little skill. The establishment of a factory for blankets, flannels,

27

linsey woolsey, serge, or other material of a coarse kind, could be effected at a moderate outlay, and
much work accomplished by children ranging from ten to sixteen years of age, also by adults who
are maintained by the State. * * * Educated agriculturalists are required. There are large

areas of Crown lands in this colony that might bo turned to a profit, if youths were employed in bringing it
under cultivation, either for sale, or for the supply of the different Government institutions with the produce.
Under a well-informed superintendent the colony would thus obtain some well-trained farmers, who, in after
life, would disseminate the effect of their training through every part of the colony. This also applies to
enclosing and cultivating orchards and vineyards.” Another correspondent who answers at length is a
gentleman of Sandhurst — “I am so impressed with the fearful responsibility the State has undertaken with
regard to the neglected children connected with the industrial schools : I am so fully alive to the advantages
that would bo derived from sotting apart largo reserves, entirely removed from the centres of population,
for the purpose of instructing them in planting, rearing, and afterwards manufactm-ing the products, that 1
trust the Commission will excuse the length of my opinion. Each reserve should be large enough for the
production of nearly everything that is requisite for the support of its community, and should include a
farm with the various manufactures I have elsewhere alluded to, viz., woollen goods, tobacco, basket-making,
drying fruit, oils of various kinds, sugar-beet, tailoring, shocmaking, furniture, &c., &c. I think Govern-
ment establishments for the above object might be made self-supporting. Private individuals are chary of
taking children whose parentage is doubtful. If the State would give the children an elementary instruc-
tion in the trades mentioned, they would, when they leave Government control, have the means of earning
their own living.” In one return, with.out a name attached, sent in by the Smythesdale Shire Council, it is
stilted that “there is an institution at Hamburg called the ‘ Rauhe Ilaus,’ where a great number of orphan
children have been brought up, aud have been made very useful members of society. 1 believe no Institution
of the sort has effected greater good than tho above-named. The Government might obtain from the
management of the above institution some valuable information.” Many express their belief strongly that, ivith
labor so valuable as it ought to be here, and land without cost, such industrial establishments ought in a few
years nearly, if not quite, to pay their expenses. But the necessity for a careful classification of tho children
is strongly insisted on, so that time may not be wasted in endeavoring to force on them oceupatious for
which they may be mentally or bodily unfit. And a resident of Belfast points out a fact not to be over-
looked, when he says — “Very strict rules should be kept at all these institutions. The native boys seem
to be, whether from climate, from robust habit, or from having more flesh diet, very precocious, obstre-
perous, and headstrong.” Whether to be taught and employed at Government establishments or apprenticed
out, it is a matter of great consequence that the natural inclinations of the children should be studied.
Your Wangaratta correspondents say — “ Orphan boys aud girls maintained at the expense of the State
should be taught useful trades, and their labor, as far as possible, utilized in testing the remunerative
capabilities of novel industries.” A gentleman of Nunawading gives it as his 02 )inion that “a largo number
might be employed in flower-farming, conducted on the same princij)le as the flower farms at Mitchem, in
Surrey. Poppy and other medical herbs could bo grown and jirepared in the colony.” Another gentle-
man from Nunawading suggests a somewhat different occupation for the boys — “I consider that the labor
of orjjhan boys may be largely utilized by employing them in the local forest nurseries under a sub-
inspector ; in fact, in a great mauy ways their labor might be used, in forest culture particularly.” The
defects of the present system is clearly pointed out by a correspondent from Geelong, as follows: — “ Many
objections are raised to taking children, male or female, from our public institutions, because of their
want of training to perform the most ordinary work. Every child over ten years of age should be
trained for some special object in the future, especially boys ; and no girl should bo unable to perform any
ordinary household work on leaving the institution, and proof of tho same should be given by the matron or
other person having charge.” The before quoted resident near Mansfield adds to tho question the words “ also
the convicts in our prisons,” and says that he would have them and the orphan boys and girls brought up to
advantage “by teaching them all to get their living by industry. This can be taught them in the industrial
schools and gaols by attaching to these institutions manufactories of all kinds. Make Pentridge a great
manufactory ; aud when your convicts come out, after seven or fourteen years’ labor, the habit of industry
will be acquired, which in most cases will not leave them. With reference to our industrial schools,
the earlier the children arc brought in contact with and taught the use of machinery of all kinds, the
more likely are they to gi'ow up intelligent and useful mechanics. They will acquire thereby a taste for
mechanics, and the ingenuity for saving labor, so remai’kable in our American cousins, will be developed.
I would recommend, therefoi'C, that large and powerful steam engines be erected at all the Govei'iimcnt
industrial schools, and machinery attached for manufacturing woollen goods, nails, -and all other articles for
which the services of boys are used in the factories of Birmingham, Sheffield, Wolverhampton, &c. Let the
day time of the boys at these establishments be divided into three parts — four hours labor, four hours
education, and four hours for recreation aud refreshment. I do not approve of the system of apprenticeship,
except for seafaring life, and we have here an excellent opportunity of forming the best seamen. We are in
the immediate vicinity of tho best whaling ground in the world, and every encouragement should be given
by the Government to promote this important industry, which would also offer a good school for training our
neglected youth to a seafaring life. Excepting, therefore, the apprenticeship to this, I should jirefer to work
the orphan boys and girls in Government factories, aud would recommend that a portion of their earnings be
saved for their own use and benefit, and expended, on the completion of their apjirenticeship, in the purchase
of tools, &c., necessary for their traele, and for providing for them during the first few months after they leave
the factory. The girls could be taught also the way to earn an honest livelihood, and their earnings given
to them on their day of marriage, or after they had proved that they were capable of supporting them-
selves by tho art or trade they had been taught. I am sorry that I have not time to enter more fully on these
important matters, but trust that the Commission will believe that I have no other object in view than
that of advancing their very laudable intentions.” With one more quotation I may close the arguments
in favor of Government establishments, and that is from a return sent in by tho Smythesdale Shire
Council — =“ With respect to destitute or neglected orphan boys or girls, who are maintained at the
expense of the State, I would suggest that they all be taught different trades at the institutions, and that
they be supplied with r.aw material, so that all clothing, boots and shoes, furniture, &c., used by the
Government be made at these institutions. By so doing, in a few years they would be a saving to the
State instead of an expense. I would have only ono trade in connection with each institution, as only one
competent tradesman would be then required at each, and this would not entail any great expense.”

THE APPRENTICING OF ORPHAN CHILDREN.

The apprenticing system is recommended apparently from the ratepayers’ point of vieiv, to save
expense, and there is less variety in the suggestions in favor, of it — in short, many of the answers are only
remarltahle for their brevity and simplicity. Thus, a colonist of many years’ standing at tlife Wiminera says —
'‘Bind them as appi'tentices after they have received a certain amouiit of. ccRication at the asylum.” And
a gentlem.'m of Creswick — “The boys might- be apprenticed after th.^mann^f adopted by the jiarish
authorities at home, to farmers or tradesmen. Five years would ^o a pr^er term here. The girls might
be dealt with in the same way, care being taken in eafth case that uiey shdnld^be properly taught the duties
they are .supposed to learn.” Again, from'TDelatite comfc the opinioiP — “Assign them to any responsible
persons willing to engage them for^ term of years, subject to the supervision of the inspector of police for"
the district, a certain portion of their wages to be paid into a Government Savings Bank to accuralilate for
file benefit of each boy or girl till a certain age.” It is suggested by auoflier ‘bf your correspondent^ that
the oflicer tlcting as inspector should visit every <;hild from time to time, and have power to caneel the inden-
tures if he found his or her education neglected. Another correspondent would foster a feeliug of self-respect
in the childr^. bfis recommendation is-*“ Bind them out to persons of good ehai’acter, from whom it may
be expeeted that tiiey would learn habits of industry and independence. To my mind the question of wages
should be secondary — name a® amount that \vould cover their necessary expenses, and I would impress upon
their minds that they paid.iby the labor of their hands for the necessaries so supplied.” A I’esident in the«
Bet-bet would have Uie children all jjrought up to a country life — “ Let them be placed under appren-
ticeship or agreement ^Vith re.spectable persons engaged in various branches of rural industry. The town
industHes are already glutted with labor — the rural famishing for it. Food and clotliing for the first two
years would be’ ample return ; after that, a small sum per week, increased amiually to the age of twenty-one ^
for hsys, and eighteen for girls. They would thus be accustomed to the plainness, simplicity, and industry
of rural life.” Your Western Port correspondent is in favor of a somewhat mixgd S 3 stem, for he recommends
bringing up “the street Arabs in blanket factories, to give a local market for long wool. The more
innocent and robust children, when fit to go out, to be drafted into the country districts to be apprenticed

or bound to farmers for a term of years. All ratepayers over £ per annum to be bound to take one or

more, or pay an extra tax ; local guardians to be appointed to see children properly placed and cared for.”

A writer from Ballarat goes somewhat more at length into the subject, and he would “ allow all respectable
tradesmen and tradeswomen, agricgilturlsts, or others, to select orphans or deserted children as apprentices
or servants, on giving bonds for their just and proper treatment, education and maintenance, and remune-
ration if required. No youug person to be .sent to any master or mistress, if reasonable objection be
shown. The desires of the children as to what they would prefer to learn to be consulted as far as practi-
cable. Complaints on either side to bo most impartially determined, and offences rigorously punished.
The terms of remuneration, of whatever degree, might be aiganged as I have before suggested in answering
question 12, and the relative capacities and inclinations of the youtlis should bo carefully studied. We
should not send a naturally dull sluggard to an occupation requiring great^activity and intelligence, nor a
keen, sharp, quick-witted boy to be a ploughman. In conclusion, I would take the liberty of suggesting,
that the curators of the different botanic gardens in the colony might be entrusted with the control and care
of some youths in order to train them as future useful men, and at the same time make them earn their keep ;
that, by this means, many interesting experiments might be economically carried out, and success in the
cultivation of plants for food, fibres, drugs, dyes, gums, oils, &e., be found.” A resident at Bacchus
Marsh points out a very serious difficulty, when-he says — “I could not recommend apprenticing boys to the
general farmers, as so few of these farm in a proper manner-; but they might be apprenticed to vignerons,
gardencr.s, and others engaged in special industries aud tra:des. As before stated, several industries and
different trades might be carried on and taught the boys and girls at the various establishments, employing
instruetors -when nece.ssaty.” I may conclude oh this branch of the subject with a couple of extracts
in favor of the family st'.'tem. Thus, the mayor of Portland says — “Break up these State establi.-ihinents
and adopt the family system as practised in England, but more particularly in Scotland, at the. present time.
This is held to be infinitely superior to the existing system of massing children in State establishments.”
And the views of a resident at Kingower are — “It appears bad policy to mix the destitute tvith the criminal
children ; and it is very improbable that, by crowding them together in large numbers, the}' will ever be
duly trained in industrious and good moral habits, 'i'hey are thus placed in an unnatural state, and the
more they pro removed from the. natural state, the more unfavorable it must bo for their moral and industrial
training. There is no doubt a dilficillty in carrying out such a scheme, but as to destitute and orphan
children, the more nearly they can be placed in a state similar to that in which they would have been had
their parents been living, the better it w'ould be for their education and trainiug, the persons with whom
they might be placed being of good reputation for moral and industrious habits, aud likely to treat them as
their own children.”

In conclusion, I may be allowed to point out how completely the chief objects of inquiry, foreign
indu.stries and forests, have merged into the one all-absorbing topic of instruction. “Teach us and train
the children properly ” has been the burden of the cry from all parts of the colony. Your correspondents
own their belief that they and their neighbors might be far more profitably employed could they only take
full advantage of our soil and climate, instead of ignorantly contending with nature, or were they more
fully instructed in the best modes of carrying on their ordinary occupations. And the folly of not training
children in the knowledge of such special agents as they will have to invoke the aid of in earning their
bread is now so generally allowed, that it need not be insisted on here. Novel industries cannot be b arued
without teaching and example. A knowledge of the value of timber even has to bo gained at the heavy
cost of experience ; but where this has been so paid for the le.sson has been fully learned, and forestry is
now deemed an art or business worth serving an apprenticeship to. Ignorance is deeply felt to be the
prevailing malady ; hence the earnest iutreaty for the one sole remedy — information; more information and
teaching for both old and young.

By Authority; Joun Febbjsb, Government Pripter, MeIbouia&