17 
BOOKS AND OTHER MEANS OF INFORMATION. 
Many seem to believe that tlic dissemination of books and pamphlets would be the quickest means of 
gaining the desired end. These should, it is pointed out, bo eminently practical, affording reliable information 
as to the nature, habits, and mo.lc.i of culture of the new plants, as well as on the preparation of their 
products for market, with csiirnates of the cost and profits. They should be sold at a low price also, or 
given away, to ensure a wide circulation. It is also suggested that such books, and others of a 
more costly character, should be supplied to every mechanics’ institute. Another proposal is, that 
there should be frequent reports from recognized authorities, describing the plants suited to various 
localities, as well as their products and the prices of these from time to time. Then, besides information 
for immediate and practical use, it is stated plainly in some of the communications that the youth 
of the colony must be taught the value of such things, and brought up in habits of industry, 
before any products other than those the result of ordinary farming can bo procured to any extent 
in short that, besides teaching for men and women, a new sort of education is required for the young, if 
we are to enjoy the full advantages of our soil and climate. The introduction of skilled labor is also 
mentioned, to prove by example what may be done ; but this is only a part of the whole question of 
teaching, and it is not shown that the expense of supporting foreign families all over the country would not 
bo very great. 
SUPPLY OP SEEDS AND PLANTS FROM PUBLIC ESTABLISHMENTS. 
In explaining how this idea may be carried out, there is room for much variety in detail. In the first 
place, it is said that the Government may open up communication with all parts of the world, either through 
ordinary agents or the agricultural departments of other Governments, and thus obtain all the seeds or 
plants needed, either for money or exchanges, payment in kind. But then comes the question as to how 
such things should be distributed or utilized. One plan is that everything should be first tested or grown 
on experimental farms in ditforent parts of the colony, and the plants and seeds afterwards distributed from 
these, with full instructions for their use and application. On such farms, or in example or test 
gardens, the novel crops could bo seen at all stages of their growth. Others recommend that the seeds 
and plants should bo distributed at once on arrival to residents in different parts of the colony, requiring 
from each person a report as to his success or failure. Others, again, are in favor of a union of both plans, 
either wholly or in part, the testing of everything on Government establishments, and after-distribution to 
private individuals for further trial. Some of your correspondents would have the seeds and plants given away, 
while others would have them sold for at least sufficient to cover the cost of growth and distribution. Then 
forest nurseries are pointed out as suitable places for testing most of such things, the after-distribution 
to bo effected through the forest boards or agricultural societies. This idea has received other modifications, 
but the upshot of the whole is, that the Government should be looked to in the first instance for the 
introduction and distribution of new plants, if this is to be done within any moderate space of time. 
Establishment of Factories. 
Query 4 . Can you afford advice as to the establishment of factories, or the introduction 
of simple maehinery for the utilization of any raio produets which could he most 
speedily and remuneratively brought about either in your district or in other localities 
of this colony with which you may be acquainted^ 
The answers to this question are neither numerous nor highly suggestive. The difficulty of 
affording practical advice as to the establishment of factories of the kind required in the country districts, is 
very generally admitted. The want of them is forcibly shown by a resident at Ballarat, in his answer, 
when he says — “I think it is not to the credit of a colony like Victoria, which can already almost 
claim a place among nations, so far as her wealth and resources go, and which produces immense 
quantities of the finest wools in the world, that so little has been done to encourage their conversion 
into fabrics, by which manufacture easy and constant employment would be provided for thousands of 
young people and women, who at present find none. The supply of woollen goods, such as broadcloths, 
tweeds, meltons, waterproof tweeds, flannels and blankets, required by this colony annually, would keep 
from thirty to forty mills always going, each mill to be equal to that of the Victoria Company at 
Geelong. The establishment of a beet-sugar factory in each agricultural district would be of great 
advantage to the farmers, as affording them increased facilities for the proper cleaning and re-invigoration 
of their land, and for the feeding of stock. # « * j believe that olive oil should soon become an 
article of export, and that its manufacture should be encouraged.” The manufacture of woollen goods 
does not come, strictly speaking, within the scope of the inquiries of your Commission ; but this affords a 
palpable instance of private enterprise not being sufficient to meet the wants of a new country. Another 
gentleman, likewise of long experience in the colony, residing near Cranbourne, writes on this subject — “ So 
very much depends on circumstances, it is not possible to tell whether any factory will prove remunerative 
or not. My experience of factories and new industries in this colony is unfavorable to success. Machinery 
introduced into this district over ten years ago is mostly all rusting and unused, and its introduction has 
resulted in loss.” Factories for the manufacture of sugar from beet seem to be those most required just 
now in the agricultural districts ; but it is not shown how any special encouragement for their erection 
can be afforded, otherwise than by offering premiums for certain quantities of sugar when made. Factories 
on a smaller scale for the drying, bottling, and preserving of fruit, and for the preparation of mustard 
and starch, are also recommended ; but the only suggestion in connection with them is, that the Government 
should offer premiums for plans and specifications of buildings and machinery suitable for such purposes, and 
have the best of these published, together with other requisite information. Places are pointed out where 
water-power can bo rendered available for any reasonable number of mills ; but these unfortunately are, 
in most cases, where population is least dense. The only remaining suggestion, at all feasible or to the 
point, is that Government should have plans of simple labor-saving machineiy (driven by cheap motive 
power, such as wind and water, and the several modes of applying these) printed off and widely distributed, 
especially, through the medium of mechanics’ institutes, agricultural societies, and farmers’ clubs. In 
this way it is supposed that mechanical ideas and desires might be fostered. 
