6 
in regard to raising timber trees on the railway lines and on other Government 
grounds, inasmuch as the time has arrived when the needful selection of nursery 
space should be made in all the various localities at which such reservation is required, 
in order that, during the cooler months of the year, the necessary sowing and planting 
may be effected; otherwise no proper advantage could betaken of the coming season, 
or it might be altogether lost for these purposes. 
l^Pferring more pai’ticularly to the objects with which tlie Commission was 
appointed, much information on these has been collected. In connection with tlie first, 
the introduction of such of tlie rural industries of Europe ns may be suited to our 
soil, climate, or ]ieculiar circumstances otherwise, many products liave been named. 
Tlie plants to yield these have been fully specified in the appended summary of evidence 
and form a vciy long list — but not too long, considering the wide diversity of soil 
and climate within the boundaries of Victoria. Of immediate importance is the 
white beet. In 1870 Ave paid away for sugar alone £958,597, and, if the European 
system of sugar-making can be introduced here Avith profit, not only may this amount 
be saved, but the general mode of farming must at the same time be vastly improved. 
The gain to those countries Avhich now obtain their supplies of sugar from this root is 
greater from the indirect advantages than from the keeping Avithin their OAvn confines 
of the sums expended on riin article so largely consumed. The groAving of licet 
successfully means good general fanning — more corn and meat off tlie same extent of 
ground, with the sugar as an extra profit on the first outlay in ]ire])aring the ground 
by tilling it deeply. If for no other object than tlie inijirovement of our general 
system of husbandi-y, the exjieriment of groAving the beet for sugar-making ought to 
be freely encouraged. We are glad to find that commercial enterprise has responded 
to the action of Earliament in offering a premium for the first large quantity of sugar 
made from beet. As employment for men, and as affording a variety of oops 
and resources for farmers and country residents, over and above the ordinary products 
noAv too much run iqion here, vegetable oils, fibres, tobacco, and ho]>s arc named, and 
ample twidence is afforded of the facilities Avith Avhich the plants in connection with 
them can be groAvn ; Avhile to occupy the time of the children and youths ]nofitably 
there are silks, dried and preserAod fruits, medicinal herbs, and dye stuffs, floAro'S for 
the jierfumers, and perhaps tea in certain parts of the country. Not only would such 
things amount to a considerable money Amine in the Avhole, hut the variety of 
interesting and hopeful pursuits thus afforded would have the best effect in creating 
habits of industry in children iioav groAving up Avithout profitable occupation all over 
the colony. However, there can be little hope for a change in this respect until aa'c 
have established among us that \mriety of minor as Avell as more important industries 
Avhich afford such constant occupation to the country children of Erance, Germany, 
SAvitzerland, or Belgium. 
Information on 15. This Avant is fully admitted, but it Avill be no easA" task to cause a scattered 
inhstrS. country population to become acquainted Avith Avhat they ought for their OAvn l)enefit 
to knoAv. Nearly all the rural industries of the warmer parts of Euro])e are suited to 
different portions of Victoria, if the peoi)le could be brought to understand them. When 
asked for 0 })inions on this branch of the subject, our correspondents could offer but fcAV 
suggestions, but these Avill suffice if acted on Avith jirudonce and foresight. It is recom- 
mended that premiums should be offered for the raAv products and their utilization ; that 
information in connection Avith them should be freely distributed amongst the residents 
in the country, of all classes ; and, lastly, that the required seeds and plants should be 
rendered readily available. But the information must clearly be siqiplied first ; then a 
demand for }>lants Avill arise ; Avhen the offer of premiums for the products may be 
expected to promote the cidtiA'ation of these plants on an extended scale. Amongst the 
suggestions of our correspondents in regard to country schools are several bearing on 
this vieAv of the case. It is pointed out that there might he a collection of specimens, 
either natural or artificial, illustrated cards, pam})hlcts Avith plates of machinerv, and 
other appliances or models, to be Aised by the teachers in affording instruction on such 
industries as are deemed or proved the most suitable for this country. But to perform 
this ])ortion of their duty in an efficient manner the teachers in country schools should 
be required to have a certain amount of actual knowledge of such subjects, this sjx'cial 
prej)aration of teachers foj- country schools having been long a' ])art of the 
National School system of Ireland. And, to give practical force to the theoretic 
teaching, each school might have a piece of ground Avith groAving specimens 
of the more important plants. Nothing can be more desirable. This idea has been 
