54 
(The quantity of Potatoes exported from Auckland in 1863, was 508 
tons , value, £3,233.* It is believed, that this falling off is mainly owing 
(apart from the war,) to much too little attention being given to tillage; 
which noble and necessary occupation is neither followed nor encouraged 
as it should be. At present, this Island is greatly too dependent on 
foreign countries for Grain; which is now being brought not only from 
Australia and Chili, but even from California and England! It is hoped, 
that this growing evil may be clearly and timely discerned, and put a 
stop to; or, the consequences resulting therefrom may, sonio day, bo 
unexpectedly and higlily disastrous to the whole Island. 
32. It is also believed, that a future generation will derive great 
advantages from the extensive cultivation of certain plants which 
cannot be successfully cultivated in the open air in Great Britain, somo 
of which have been already naturalized in tliis Island ;—such as, tho 
Vine, tho Mulberry, the Castor-oil plant ( Ricinus communis ,) the Olivo 
{Oka Europm,) the Cochineal Cactus, ( Opuntia , sp.,) tho Tobacco, and 
the Maizo;—the last both for tho sake of its spathes and leaves for 
Paper-making, (for which it seems admiraUy adapted ,) as well as for its 
grain. The Northern parts of this Island,—especially the warm cli¬ 
mate and rich volcanic soils north of tho Thames,—will, doubtless, 
produce Wino and Oil in abundance, and, perhaps, Silk; as the climate 
is well known to bo suited to the Mulberry; and the European Olive 
might be advantageously grafted upon the several indigenous Olives 
of the island. Further: it is not improbable, that Cochineal, Cinchona, 
and Coffee, may also be successfully cultivated in the warm climate of 
the Northern districts; seeing these two last mentioned jdants have 
very near Botanical relations in tho many species of the genus Coprosma , 
everywhere common and flourishing among us. Those parts of tho 
Island possessing Limestono soils, and, at tho same time, not below 
the necessary isotherm, seem admirably adapted for raising Tobacco ; 
a plant, which, like Clover and Lucerne, requires a deal of Lime in 
the soil to bring it to perfection ; its ashes containing more than 20 
per cent, of Lime and Magnesia Salts.—While tho more equable and 
temperate climate and rich alluvial soils of tho Southern parts of tho 
Island, will also continuo to produce and export as heretofore, all 
British Grain, and Fruits, and Ediblo Roots, very abundantly.— 
“ Hie segetos, illic veniunt felicius uvjd; 
Arborei fetus alibi, ut^ue injusea virescunt 
Grainina.”— —Virg. Georg. 1. i. 
* No potatoes were exported in 18G3 from the other Provinces of the North Island.— Ed. 
