X. PREFACE. 



been from 98° to 110° in the shade ; hut on the 10th of January it was 

 scarcely endurable. At about 3 o'clock p.m. the thermometer registered 

 at the Botanic Garden 116° in the shade and 166° in the sun. That such 

 a temperature must prove very destructive to our introduced plants can 

 easily he imagined. In fact, the leaves of trees and shrubs have the 

 appearance as if a fire had run over them. 



The finest grapes are grown in the plains and the slopes of the Mount 

 Lofty range facing the plains. Here they grow to a great size, the 

 summer months ripen them to the greatest perfection ; and the South 

 Australian wine must obtain a high character in foreign markets. For 

 the last five years the oidium has made its appearance in our vineyards, 

 but not with such bad results as in Europe. Also the Phylloxera has 

 appeared in the vineyards of our neighbour Colony, Victoria, and may, it 

 is feared, also attack our vineyards. From this it will be seen that the 

 Australian vignerons, like the European, have to contend against the two 

 greatest scourges which can invade a vine-growing country. 



The cultivation of the olive is a great success, and the oil considered 

 perfect. 



AU vegetables can be grown during the autumn and winter on the 

 plains ; but in no comparison so successfully as in the hills, where are 

 raised the finest vegetables and other culinary herbs throughout the year 

 in great abundance. Caulifiowers two feet in diameter are often seen in 

 the market— cabbages, asparagus, turnips, artichokes, leeks,- onions, beet, 

 carrots, potatoes, endive, lettuce, celery, cucumbers, water and sweet 

 melons growing to an extraordinary size, and of the finest flavor. 



The cucumbers and water and sweet melons grow most luxuriantly 

 on virgin soil, but if grown on the same spot several years running 

 (although manured) the fruit degenerate in size and flavour, and ulti- 

 mately produce no fruit at all. 



That South Australian cereals are considered to be the finest grown in 

 the world is pretty well known. 



When a new comer visits for the first time our Agricultural and 

 Horticultural Shows, and observes the fine display of the splendid fiowers, 

 fruits, vegetables, and cerials in their utmost perfection, he must consider 

 South Australia a favored land • and it is, indeed, surprising, that our 

 fickle climate, with its extremes, droughts, hot winds, can produce such 

 developed specimens of Nature's gifts. 



E. SCHOMBURGK, Phil. De., Director. 

 January 20th, 1878. 



