102 On a General Introduction of 



eatable fruits. On the island of the Lake of Killarny, it 

 forms, according to Mr. Hyndman, as magnificent a tree as can 

 be beheld. Its wood is much esteemed for ornamental work. 

 The lovely Arbutus canariensis and A. Andrachne ought to 

 obtain their place. 



I fear it would be premature to recommend the cultivation of 

 dye-plants under the present circumstances of the colony, as 

 probably foreign markets will supply us for a long time yet 

 with articles of dye at a less expensive rate than at which they 

 could be produced in Australia. Still we might diffuse such 

 plants as the Chinese Indigo (Isatis indigotica), the common 

 Woad (Isatis tinctoria), the Saffron (Crocus sativus), the Car- 

 thamus and the Madder (Eubia tinctorum), of which the latter 

 many years ago became introduced and cultivated by Mr. Edw. 

 Wilson of this city. 



Many of the colonists may be desirous to surround them- 

 selves with some of those plants, which, although devoid of practical 

 importance to us, are of the greatest value to their respective 

 native countries, such as the Varnish-tree (Elaeococca vernicia) 

 from the seed-oil of which the Chinese Varnish is prepared, the 

 Grass-cloth plant (Boeheria nivea), the Eice-paper plant (Panax 

 papyrifer), the Tallow-trees (Stillingia sebifera and the Litsaea 

 Chinesis), all from the Chinese Empire, and which, consequently 

 will nourish without protection, at least in the warmer parts of 

 our colony. 



The general distribution of the Chinese yam, Dioscorea Batatas), 

 which found its way recently into this country, remains desira- 

 ble : the Spanish Scorzonera, the sweet potato (Convolvulus 

 Batatas) and the Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) 

 ought to be its companions ; the leaves of the latter being even 

 useful. The cultivation of Arum Colocasia, well-known for its 

 edible tubers, extends now from Portugal to China, and the plant 

 is therefore well-deserving of our notice. 



Through Dr. Embling, who always evinced such a lively inte- 

 rest for adding to our stores of the animal and vegetable king- 

 doms, seeds of the Cotton-plant have been placed at my disposal. 

 I gladly invite the colonists, chiefly those residing in the 

 milder parts of the country, to subject the plant to a 

 fair trial, even if it were only to establish the fact, that it endures 

 the vicissitudes of our temperature without being impaired in 

 its productiveness. Enterprise of future days may avail itself of 

 the experience gained at present. Most cultivators of cotton 

 recommend for its growth light fertile soil, of slight humidity. 



