54 
(The quantity of Potatoes exported from Auckland in 1863, was 508 
tons, value, £3,233.* Itis believed, that this falling off is mainly owing 
(apart from the war,) to much too litile 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! Itis hoped, 
that this growing evil may be clearly and timely discerned, and put a 
stop to; or, the consequences resulting therefrom may, some day, be 
unexpectedly and highly disastrous to the whole Island. | 
82. 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, some 
of which have been already naturalized in this Island ;—such as, the 
Vine, the Mulberry, the Castor-oil plant (Ricinus communis, ) the Olive 
(Olea Europea,) the Cochineal Cactus, (Opuntia, sp.,) the Tobacco, and 
the Maize ;—the last both for the sake of its spathes and leaves for 
Paper-making, (for which it seems admirably adapted,) as well as for its 
grain. The Northern parts of this Island,—especially the warm cli- 
mate and rich volcanic soils north of the Thames,—will, doubtless, 
produce Wine and Oil in abundance, and, perhaps, Silk; as the climate 
is well known to be suited to the Mulberry; and the European Olive 
might be advantageously grafted upon the several indigenous Olives 
of the island. Further: it isnot improbable, that Cochineal, Cinchona, 
and Coffee, may also be successfully cultivated in the warm climate of 
the Northern districts; seeing these two last mentioned plants have 
very near Botanical relations in the many species of the genus Coprosma, 
everywhere common and flourishing among us. Those parts of the 
Island possessing Limestone soils, and, at the 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 the more equable and 
temperate climate and rich alluvial soils of the Southern parts of the 
Island, will also continue to produce and export as heretofore, all 
British Grain, and Fruits, and Edible Roots, very abundantly.— 
** Hic segetes, illic veniunt felicius uve ; 
Arborei fetus alibi, atque iInjussa virescunt 
Gramina.””— —Vire. Georg. l. i, 
* No potatoes were exported in 1863 from the other Provinces of the North Island. Eb. 
