32 Agricultural and Horticultural Resources. 



for green fodder ; while Canary seed, millet, mustard, and 

 tobacco have been successfully grown. 



Of the imported agricultural produce, only grain for horse 

 feed is used to any extent. 



In average seasons, the cereals grow well throughout the 

 whole of the district ; but potatoes and the other root crops 

 are principally grown on the alluvial fiats bordering the rivers, 

 and on the volcanic soils wherever they occur. 



Two crops are taken occasionally off the land in the course 

 of a twelvemonth ; viz., potatoes, mangold wurzel, turnips, 

 and sorghum, succeeding oats or Cape barley, cut for green 

 fodder in spring ; two crops of peas also have been obtaiued 

 in one season. 



Of the influences adverse to cultivation in the district, long 

 droughts, hot winds, and the ravages of the aphis are the most 

 prominent. 



It is estimated, that were the means of irrigation available, 

 the produce of the land would be doubled thereby. 



It will be perceived, that the principal productions of the 

 metropolitan district are the cereals, oaten hay, and potatoes ; 

 indeed, for some years, the growth of oaten hay has formed 

 the chief occupation of the farmers, and, until within the last 

 two years was the one which, on account of the character of 

 the soil and other circumstances, was found to yield the most 

 profitable return. 



The quality of the soils here alluded to varies from poor 

 sandy or clayey loams, to alluvial soils of the finest des- 

 cription, and in volcanic soils of a very productive kind. 



The report points to the hot winds and long droughts as the 

 great disadvantages to agriculture, whilst irrigation is sug- 

 gested as the most fitting remedy for counteracting them. 



District comprising the valley of the Rivers Yarra and 

 Plenty. 



The principal crops grown in this part of the colony, and 

 the average produce indicated by the returns of the Victoria 

 Agricultural Society are — 



Potatoes ... ... 5 tons per acre. 



Wheat 20 bushels „ 



Oats- 23 „ 



Oaten hay ... ... 1 ton „ 



On the low alluvial soils forming the banks of the rivers, 

 where the growing of potatoes is carried on extensively, the 



