46 Agricultural and Horticultural Resources. 



is as yet no where cultivated. The true box tree suffers in 

 any exposed localities from drought. 



The various species of the cotton genus are too tender to 

 ripen their seeds, at least in the southern parts of Victoria 

 Rhubarb has not yet been cultivated for its medicinal root, 

 nor the South African species of aloe for their gum-resin, 

 although the latter might in many barren districts be brought 

 to perfection, where no other crop is attainable. 



Neither the cultivation of suggory, nor of hops, has hitherto 

 been effected to any extent in Victoria. Arrowroot has been 

 obtained from plants grown even in the southern parts of the 

 colony. Opium culture, as well as the culture of flax, hemp, 

 and oleaginous plants, will be reserved for the future days 

 of the colony. The excellence of the Australian olive oil has 

 been sufficiently acknowledged in the great exhibitions of 

 London and Paris. Almonds yield here an abundant crop. 

 The bamboo, which now develops itself in all its grandeur as 

 far south as Port Jackson, will undoubtedly afford its useful 

 cane at a later period to the warmer parts of this colony, and 

 the superb Nile Papyrus should be its companion. 



The cultivation of forest trees has been no where yet 

 commenced. But it is evident, that the present indiscriminate 

 destruction of many of our forests, and the future increasing 

 want of timber, will render this important branch of industry 

 remunerative if not necessary ; and it would be a wise fore- 

 sight to raise in time forests of such trees as are most useful 

 for the mechanic, and as have been found by experiment to 

 succeed in the colony. By these means in many dry districts, 

 the climate would also be ameliorated. As the Scotch fir 

 produces best only in the colder regions, it might be recom- 

 mended for timber plantations in our high lands, where it 

 would, when grown on an extensive scale, be less than else- 

 where endangered by bush fires. Small fir plantations on 

 private grounds have been made already in South Australia. 

 Since Victoria possesses extensive tracts of moist country, it 

 seems well worthy of consideration, whether the invaluable 

 red cedar of New South Wales, which is known to be hardy in 

 our latitudes, might not be established and afterwards 

 naturally disseminated in favorable spots now lying waste. 



For the same purpose we may point to the East Australian 

 Kauri, which whilst it seemingly possesses all the excellent 

 properties of the New Zealand Kauri, proves here much more 

 readily acclimatized. That the Kauri pines exhibit unusual 

 durability of timber seems not generally known, but may 



