150 On the Resources of Victoria, 



portion. The consumption of this oil will increase rapidly, 

 and for many years to come it may be expected it will be re- 

 quired in larger quantities. 



The next subject I would mention is the culture of the 

 grape. As I wish to bring original ideas only before the In- 

 stitute, and to tread in no man's footsteps, at first I felt 

 tempted to pass over the grape ; but I feel its importance 

 too strongly to do so. My convictions on this subject are 

 strong ; and. I think that if they have been considered be- 

 nefactors of mankind who have made two blades of grass to 

 grow for one that grew before, so I should consider every 

 Victorian a benefactor to his country who either plants a few 

 vines himself or induces his neighbors to do so. 



An acre of vines produces 10,000 lbs. of grapes ; 15 lbs. 

 of grapes make one gallon of wine. The first cost of an acre 

 of grapes is as follows : — 



Under disadvantageous circumstance, trenching 



and clearing . . . . . . . . . . £40 



3,000 plants, at £2 a thousand, is. . . . . . 6 



Thirty days setting these 3,000 plants is. . . . 16 



Post and rail fence, per acre . . . . . . 50 



Labor and management, and interest of money 



for three years . . . . . . . . 130 



Total for one acre . . . . . . £242 



After three years this vineyard will produce 400 gallons of 

 wine, worth from £150 to £200 ; and at least one and a half 

 tons of grapes worth £30, at less than 2d. per pound. 



In the fourth year this vineyard will produce 700 gallons 

 of wine, worth at the least £300, and two tons of grapes 

 worth, at 2d. a pound, about £38 ; making £338 per acre at 

 the least : and every year after this the yield will increase. 

 Thus, a good vineyard, if it contains good vines, in a good 

 situation, may be fairly expected to yield £340 per year per 

 acre. As much as 1,400 gallons of good wine have been 

 produced in this colony from one acre of grapes, which was 

 worth £700, in the parish of Barrabool, near Geelong. 



I may as well mention here that the application of sulphur 

 to the roots of the vines is a certain cure for the blight, to 

 which vines are occasionally subject; and a large reward has 

 been paid by the French Government to the discoverer. Still 

 there are difficulties in determining when the plants should 



