34 IMtESENT AND FUTURE PROSPECTS OF 



purchase at the termination of the lease at £12 per acre, 

 and with the necessary supply of water practically 

 guaranteed. This seems a promising starting-point for 

 the project which, I believe, would prove so advan- 

 tageous to Tasmania if pro])erly carried out. This 

 establishment should, in my opinion, provide for three 

 sections at the outset ; others can follow as the under- 

 taking succeeds. 



1st. Forest Section. — This would include importation 

 of desirable seeds from different parts of the world, as 

 well as collection of native seeds. Growth and distribu- 

 tion of nursery stock, particularly of trees likely to 

 benefit materially and physically Tasmania, such as firs 

 of all description, and walnut, to replace your black- 

 wood, and bird's-eye maple your Huon pine ; beech^ 

 birch, &c. Practical teaching, with ocular demonstra- 

 tion, of the art of forestry to those desiring it. 



2nd. Orchard Section. — Treating of typical fruit- 

 trees, to w^hich the many heterogeneous growths could 

 be compared and named. The various principles of 

 planting, pruning, thinning, manuring, treatment of pests, 

 best mixtures to enhance quantity and quality of crops, 

 to be taught in a practical manner. 



3rd. Cereal and Grass Section, — Dealing with the 

 proper production of cereals ; experiments in fertilisa- 

 tion and pest eradication ; analysis of soils and of 

 manures, and practical instruction in ploughing, sowing, 

 planting, management, &c. 



I have been told that the initial cost of such an estab- 

 lishment, including the building of a small house, clear- 

 ing of several acres, and salary of a permanent resident 

 gardener, besides cost of imported seeds, would be about 

 £500, and that an annual subsidy of about £250 would 

 suffice to keep it going. I am not in a position to verify 

 the exactness of this statement ; indeed, I fear the 

 initial expense should be much higher if the establish- 

 ment is to be of real service ; still, if the necessity of 

 such an institution was in principle acknowledged, these 

 details could be settled afterwards. I believe, if properly 

 organised and practically worked, such a school would 

 soon become self-supporting, as so many similar ones 

 on the Continent are at the present day. For one 



