EUCALYPTUS TREES. 107 
-the greater part of the Australian continent, where- 
ever water supply could be commanded, the rice 
would luxuriate. I found it wild in Arnheim’s Land 
in 1855. Of sugar-cane the hardier varieties may 
within Victoria succeed in East Gipps Land and 
other warmer spots. Great Britain imported in 1863 
not less than five hundred and eighty-six thousand 
six hundred tons.* Even our young colony import- 
ed last year to the value of nearly a million sterling 
(£948,329). Think of the commerce in other vegeta- 
ble products, such as require in different places our 
local fostering care in order to add still more to our 
resources. Of various tobaccos we imported into 
Victoria in 1869 (deducting exports) to the value of 
£83,788 ; of wine, £84,687; of cereals, £781,250; of 
paper, £123,158. I will not enter on any remarks 
about sugar-beet, on which one of our fellow-colonists 
has lately compiled an excellent treatise. Of tea, in 
1865, Britain required for home consumption eighty- 
five millions of lbs.t What a prospect for tea growth 
in Victoria, where this bush cares neither for the 
scorching heat of the Summer nor for the night-frosts 
of our lower regions ; whereas, in the forest glens of 
our country, Tasmania, and elsewhere, the Tea-bush 
would yield most prolific harvests. Test plantations 
for manifold new cultures were recommended by me 
years ago in one of my official reports to the Legisla- 
*«The total import of sugar into Britain was, during 1868, six hundred and 
twenty-six thousand three hundred and one tons ; during 1869, six hundred - 
and five thousend one hundred and twenty-nine tons.” 
+ The total import of tea into Britain was— 
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