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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4888, 21 November 1876, Page 2

The show which is to he held in the Odd Fellows’ Hall this . day should suggest subjects for consideration to the public of Wellington and the surrounding districts respecting the scanty supply and enormously high prices of both fruit and vegetables in tins city. For some years past [the members of the Horticultural Association have labored assiduously to improve the several departments of horticulture, and their efforts have been attended with no small success. The fruit, vegetables, and flowers displayed at these periodical exhibitions prove the adaptability of the climate and the soil to produce in abundance those fruits of the earth which minister to our pleasure or wellbeing. The display of flowers and shrubs is generally a very attractive feature in these shows, and proves that considerable attention has been paid to this branch of the society’s operations. It reflects great credit upon those amateur florists who devote their time and attention to their production. Flowers and evergreens at once delight the eye and refine the taste. We know of nothing more enchanting to a well-balanced mind than a walk through a well-kept and tastefully laid out flower garden, teeming with its infinite variety of colors. These “oases,” occasionally met with, “few and far between,”, it may be, shed an air of happiness around the cottage of the labourer and artizan, and intensify the beauty of the more aristocratic residence. But while much may be said of thosethingswhiohincrease the beauties of nature, and exercise a refining and elevating influence upon the mind, more. importance , must' be attached to those productions of the garden which minister to the daily wants of the people. The age in which we live is eminently practical. Men are apt to look at the useful, in preference to'the beautiful, when they come face to face with the stern requirement of real life. The fruit and kitchen garden should occupy a prominent place in public attention. Those among us who Ixave been in the large cities in Australia cannot but be at Once struck with the great difference in the prices of these necessary articles of consumption in Wellington, . as compared with the towns referred to. In Melbourne, for instance, vegetables are both cheap and abundant, although the climate of New Zealand is far superior to that of Victoria for the growth of garden produce. It is worth any one’s while, who can do so, to visit the Eastern Market in Melbourne, to see the great variety, abundant supply, excellent quality, and exceeding cheapness of the fruit and vegetables brought from various localities far or near, to meet the demands of that great city. In Australia too the gardener has. to contend against a burning sun and frequent hot winds, most destructive to vegetation,—influences which are happily unknown to the more favored inhabitants of these islands. Twenty years ago it was generally supposed that the climate of Victoria was unsuited for the production of garden produce, and that the people of that colony would have to depend upon Tasmania for their supplies. Subsequent experience has proved that these ideas were to a large extent erroneous. Both of these difficulties we have mentioned have been overcome by energy find perseverance. Turning our attention for a moment to the Old World, the land round about Paris is of a most unproductive character, yet, by a judicious application of the city sewage, it is made to produce vegetables in large quantities for the supply of the city. China may also be mentioned as an instance where, not always under the most favorable circumstances, the land is compelled to yield her increase to persevering industry. With these facts before us, and others we might mention, it is both a wonder and a pity that Wellington, with her great climatic advantages, should have to depend, to a large extent, upon importations for the supplies we need. At these shows we see fruit and vegetables which will bear favorable comparison with any produced in the Australian Colonies or the home country ; yet we still go on importing potatoes, onions, &0., from other parts, and jam and fruits from Tasmania.; Could we not, by a little enterprise and the judicious employment of a small capital grow these fruits and vegetables ourselves, manufacture our own jams, and keep our money ? These views appear to Us to commend themselves to all who feel any concern in the future welfare of the Colony. Land in suitable localities might be let on long leases to enterprising men possessed of small capital, whose energies would in a few years convert them into gardens and orchards. Landlord and tenant would doubtless reap substantial benefits, and the people obtain what they require at a reasonable price. Hitherto we have spoken of gardening in suitable localities within a short distance of Wellington. But there is no necessity why operations should be confined to this limited area. With our railways rapidly approaching completion, there is no reason why we should not draw upon the outlying districts for our supplies. It does appear strange, with our inexhaustible resources,, that wo should lack anything that the soil is capable of producing. A few only of our marshes and ! low-lying lands, of the richest virgin soil, now covered with, native flax, or at most which only support a few sheep, would, , if drained and properly cultivated, yield a rich harvest of fruit. In soils of this kind the currant and raspberry luxuriate. Wherever the ex-

periihent has been tried, even on a small soaje, it has proved; a j success, and has returned a handsome profit to the grower. Raspberries and cfirrants,‘paeked in tjght cases' or casks, will distance by water or by rail, and still be, available for jam-making, or for immediate use for domestic purposes. Apples of the harder kinds will keep through the season,_ while the softer kinds come in -for immediate use. Much more might be written upon this subject, but we have said enough to convince the most sceptical, that in not supplying ourselves with an abundance of the good things of life, we are neglecting those advantages which nature has so liberally placed within our reach. We now venture a remark or two upon the desirability of a constant supply of these bounties of nature as articles of food. , In a sanitary point of view, or as touching the public health, it is of the highest importance. Reason and experience alike dictate that those food plants which are most nutritious should be cultivated largely and in the greatest possible variety. The elements of nutrition, according to Dr. Peout and Professor Libbbg, are water, sugar, vegetable salts, albumen, oil, andgelatine. The whole of these, except gelatine, are present to a greater or less extent in esculent plants and fruits. All authorities agree that a constant and liberal supply of these things is of the highest moment to the health, longevity, and general well-being of the community. We would therefore earnestly recommend the foregoing remarks to the favorable consideration of all those interested in the cultivation of the soil, feeling assured that any additional efforts they may put forth in this direction will amply repay them for the extra toil and outlay.