4 
from the violent winds which blow here at times, the olive can thrive and bear 
fruit within so few years after being planted, there is an absolute certainty of this 
tree being highly productive in more favorable situations. This, indeed, has been 
proved at several different places within a few miles round Melbourne, and with trees 
older than those at the Eoyal Park. It may be stated, also, that tfie fruit ripened 
perfectly, and at the usual season, so that the seeds were fully developed and fertile. 
Olivos iiiaiitcd in ^ b. Wliilo on tlic subjcct of olives it is right to mention that, in order to give 
niul other place*. an impetus to the culture of this tree, cuttings of additional varieties were kindly 
forwarded by the Hon. Sam. Davenport from South Australia, to be planted at the 
Botanic Garden, and rendered available for distribution ; and to the Bev. Dr. Bleasdale 
was entrusted the experimental task of planting, on the Acclimatisation Society’s land, 
in the Boyal Park, as many truncheons and cuttings as could be got into tlie ground 
with a fair chance of growing at the rather late period of the year at which the 
work was commenced. The number then planted was 1600— many of these large 
truncheons prepared according to the Portuguese method; and the majority of both 
cuttings and truncheons have already made a strong growth, although only limited 
attention was bestowed on them since they were first put in. They were thus left 
almost to nature, to prove how easily the olive tree can be propagated to any desired 
extent. Prom suggestions made to the Commission, it was considered advisable to 
apply at once to the Chief Secretary for permission— readily granted— to take the 
steps alluded to, and the result has been to secure the growth of many hundred 
young trees for future use. The varieties already here, obtained in the first instance 
from South Australia and New South Wales, are apparently good, and Baron von 
Mueller has an additional selection of the best varieties from various parts of Southern 
Europe, so that there may be scope for choice in planting diflerent named sorts in 
the situations and soil for which they answer best. 
PanipUleL on the 6. A report on the Portuguese mode adopted in ifianting the olive cuttino-s 
n«rb.v and truncheons in the E.oyal Park, together with a short treatise on the SpaniSi 
i>r. moastaie. chcstiiut, has been published in pamphlet form by the llev. Dr, Bleasdale. These 
were first given to the public in the columns of a weekly newsj)aper of large circula- 
tion, and w^ere, no doubt, widely read. The pamphlet also contains directions for 
the drying of figs, Avith a description of the kinds principally grown for that purpose 
in the south of Europe. 
The .luUana 7 . Through the kindness of Mr. McEwan, of South Australia, 200 cuttino-s of 
the sultana grape vine liai’e been received for distribution, with such cuttings as 
could be spared from the Botanic Garden, and these ha\'e been gii'en to vineyard 
OAvners in suitable parts of the colony. The gentleman named, as Avell as Mr. Thos. 
Hardy and other residents in South Australia Avho are becoming skilled in fruit- 
drying, _ have promised samples of the fruits prepared by them, together Avith 
instructions in the several processes Avhich their experience leads them to adopt, 
iiop-growiag. 8. Although liop-gi'owing may be neither a noA'el nor a foreign industry, it has 
been considered by us as one of great importance, and has commanded our attention. 
The first planters of hops in this colony Avere not acquainted Avith the practices elsewhere, 
and printed instructions AA-ere not easily to be had, if Ave except the few articles on the 
subject Avhich have appeared in the Aveekly papers from time to time. Thus the pioneers 
in this branch of rural industry have had to acquire experimentally, as it were, their 
knoAAdedge ; but they have proA^ed parts of the colony to be eminently adapted for the 
groAvth of hops, as may be learned from the summary of ansAvers to the queries farther 
on. Labor Avas scarce and dear at picking time, and the casting part of the Avork Avas 
not understood, so that the pecuniary returns Avere at first disappointing ; but experience 
has convinced the growers that further knoAvledge is alone required to render tlieir hop 
gardens highly remunerative. To supply this, in part, Mr. Howitt obtained, from Kent, 
plans of the most approA'cd kilns or oasts, Avhich he has kindly placed at the disposal 
of the Commission. And it may be encouraging to say, that in Gippsland very 
simple kilns have this season been erected, of rough materials and at moderate 
cost, Avith which complete success has been achieved. But this result Avas not 
obtained by the means before alluded to, but by the skill of an experienced hop-curer, 
who Avas engaged at other Avork until he learned, from the published reports of our 
proceedings, that practical knowledge of the kind Avas needed by the growers of hops 
in a part ot the country with AAdiich he Avas not previously acquainted. 
9. The subject of flax-groAving requires much more attention than it has 
yet received from the Commission. Among the samples of common flax, one 
Elax and other 
fibres. 
