86 
VICTORIAN LAND IN ITS RELATION TO 
CULTURAL EFFORT. 
By AmprosE C. NEATE. 
(8th September, 1893.) 
It is not, I would assume, too much to expect in a large island- 
continent such as Australia that its rapidly increasing population 
will aim of necessity to secure its sustenance food, clothing, 
shelter, &c., from or by means of the soil to a far greater extent 
than is at present attempted. That the culture of the soil will 
be extended in a remarkable manner needs no forecast, seeing— 
as is apparent to all observers—the present depression is forcing 
our sons to think of the country, with the view of fitting and 
settling themselves upon it, as intelligent workers who intend to 
test the powers which God has given them of transforming many 
a wilderness into a garden. 
In time to come people will look back with gratitude to the 
men, both in and out of our Parliaments, who by their wisdom in 
schemes for village settlements, labour colonies, &c., induced 
a large part of our population to become rural in its habits, inde- 
pendant in spirit, and more truly healthful in both body and 
mind. 
It may be asked by a young farming man, say, in one of the 
home counties, “Is Victoria capable of yielding the varied pro- 
ducts needful for man and beast?”? From some of us who know 
something of facts not entertained by thoughtless or mere casual 
observers, the answer would be given, “ Undoubtedly ; although 
it is but fair to add that in comparison with America, having its 
soil almost inexhaustibly rich, by reason of the enormous accu- 
mulation of leaf mould throughout its forest areas, our own land 
is seen to some extent ata disadvantage.” I have not visited 
very much of the country “from the Murray to the sea,” so might 
very fittingly ask to sit at the feet of some of our pioneers, who 
know so much of its worth—far more than I can hope to arrive 
at. I would, however, remark that the success attained in the 
western and other districts in the yield of root crops, grains, 
fruits, &c., prove that it can be almost indefinitely extended. 
