JUNE. 
163 
HORTICULTURE IN AUSTRALIA. 
For the following valuable information on the culinary vegetables and 
orchard produce of Victoria, we are indebted to Mr. F. Smith of 
Melbourne :— 
The climate is admirably adapted for all European vegetables, from 
the old Scotch Kail to the delicious Melon, the latter surpassing those 
of English growth in flavour and tenderness. Yet the climate is not 
without drawbacks to the culture of vegetables at certain seasons, such 
as long-continued droughts with severe hot winds daring the summer, ^ 
or as heavy rain during the winter, when culinary crops suffer most 
severely in untrenched and undrained soils. Bnt our spring and 
autumn are so congenial to growth that amazing crops are produced 
even with most simple modes of treatment. The soils used for growing 
vegetables vary from stiff adhesive clay to the sterile sandy soils, the 
worst of which produce crops to advantage at some season when properly 
managed; but the more productive of all are either the deep brown 
loamy or black vegetable soil, well pulverised and free of stagnant water. 
The best situations are low banks sloping to the rivers or creeks and 
low flats, if not subject to floods, with almost any exposure, the north 
being the least favourable. Where the site is on a declivity, the 
upper portion is selected for crops of winter growth, and the lower 
portion generally for crops of summer growth. 
A few remarks on some of the leading crops will assist in giving 
some idea of the culinary vegetable resources of the country. Cabbage : 
Good supplies can be had daily all the year, as far as the growth of 
this wholesome and nutritious vegetable is dependant on climate. But 
the aphides have become so destructive during the last four years that 
crops can only be brought to perfection by great skill and attention; the 
chief remedies seem to be perpetual examination of the plants and 
frequent liquid stimulants, principally guano, to the young growing 
crops, and it is worthy of remark that in localities with cold under¬ 
ground the ravages of the aphis are more readily subdued than else¬ 
where.—Cauliflower: The principal crops are fit for use in June and 
July and from October to January, then less abundantly obtained till 
March and largely again till June. Although all English varieties are 
productive, dwarf sorts are preferable.—Peas: Supplies can be had 
daily all the year round, but are sparingly to be got in very wet 
winters.—Kidney Beans are excellent summer crops, withstanding hot 
winds well; seeds ripen freely.—Onions : Young green Onions may be 
had daily; those intended for keeping ripen only from November to 
February; seeds generally mature well.—Parsnips, although long 
neglected, are very much in request and esteemed; the main crop is 
ready in January; they grow exceedingly large, and are very superior 
in quality.—Carrots; Daily supplies can be had without difficulty; 
they are extensively cultivated; in flavour they are superior to those of 
England ; seeds generally mature well.—Turnip; Spring, summer, 
and autumn crops can be with difficulty obtained on account of the 
aphis and the dry hot nature of the climate.—Potatoes: Three crops 
may be produced in one twelvemonth—one in May, October, and 
