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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 6

[introduction]

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This enumeration originated in a desire of the writer to place before his fellow colonists a succinct list of those trees, which in our geographic latitudes can be grown to advantage. Calls for such information arose gradually in the department of the Botanic Garden of Melbourne, not merely because it impressed itself more and more on the mind of every thoughtful settler, that the wanton waste of the native forests should be checked, but that also largely should be added to our timber riches by means of copious and multifarious introductions from abroad, and that for these introductions the widest possible scope should be allowed. Nevertheless this list is far from claiming completeness, either as a specific index, or as a series of notes on the principal technologic applicability of the trees most accessible. Indeed it may be regarded simply as a precursor of larger essays, such as the intended forest administration will gradually call forth. Meanwhile, however, this brief explanatory catalogue may facilitate locally that information, which hitherto was afforded by the authors correspondence chiefly.

It seemed beyond the scope of this writing to tabulate the trees here enumerated, in reference to climatic regions. The inhabitant of colder and moister mountains in this colony, or the settler in the hotter and more arid tracts of country, can readily foresee from the brief geographic notes given with each tree, which kind should be chosen for the spot, selected by him for wood-culture; but if doubts in this respect should arise, the needful advice will readily be offered by the writer.

Though this list was originally prepared and alluded to as an appendage to a lecture.* recently delivered at the Melbourne Industrial Museum, I was honored by my colleagues of the Council of the Acclimation Society in their giving publicity to this document along with their last annual report, the Society being quite as anxious

* The Application of Phytology to the Industrial Purposes of Life.

page 2 to foster the introduction and multiplication of industrial plants, as the continued acquisition and diffusion of foreign animals of utilitarian importance.

Unquestionably also, the periodical issue of essays on animals and plants, to be introduced or to be diffused, will give additional strength to the Society's labours.

Should, therefore, this small literary offer prove acceptable to the supporters of the Victorian Acclimation Society, then the writer would feel sufficiently encouraged to offer in a similar form,* a list of other plants, recommendable here for more general cultivation; and, although such indices only to some extent contain original research, they are likely to bring together information, more condensed and more recent, than it would be attainable in costly or voluminous works of even several languages, and yet such treating perhaps only of countries with far narrower climatic zones than ours.

Possibly this publication may aid us also to render known our colonial requirements thus far abroad, while it will offer likewise some information to speed interchanges.

For our Industrial Museum and such similar institutions, as doubtless ere long on a limited scale will be connected with each Mechanics' Institute, this unpretensive treatise may help to explain the real wealth, which we possess in our unfortunately almost unguarded forests, or point out the manifold new treasures, which we should raise independently in our woodlands, while also these pages might stimulate both public and private efforts, to provide by timely thought fulness those increased timber resources, without which the next generations of this land can be neither hale nor prosperous.

* A short essay on such plants and trees as well was promulgated by the Philos. Society of Victoria 1868, pp. 93—105.