The next most notable occurrence in the history of Australian viticulture is undoubtedly the action of James Busby, who in 1828, says Mr. T. A. Coghlan in his Wealth and Progress of New South Wales, " returned from Europe " with a large collection of cuttirigs from the most cele- " brated vineyards of France, Spain, the Rhine valley, and " other parts of the continent of Europe, and started, on " his estate at Kirkton, in the Hunter Eiver district, a " vineyard which has been the nursery of the principal " vineyards of the Colony." This was a more important event than would be imagined from a bare recital of the fact, for Busby has conferred upon Australian wines a high quality for all time to come in this way. His collection of cuttings from the best of the vineyards in Europe consisted of the choicest varieties or " cepages," and this has been a matter for congratulation ever since. Fuller reference, however, will be made to this important subject a little farther on. What is certainly interesting also is that Busby was so impressed with the future of the Australian wine industry that in 1830 he published his Mamial of Plain Directions for Planting and Cultivating Vinegar ds, and for Making Wine, in New South Wales ; and, as I have just said, the high qualities of our wines are due to him alone, so that the name of James Busby must always be gratefully remembered by all Australians. It makes one think that these sturdy pioneers of former times had a greater belief in Australia and her possibilities, and more energy and foresight, than are apparently possessed nowadays. But while I am on the subject of the literature of Australian viticultui'e I must not forget to mention an excellent little pamphlet by James King in 1857, entitled, Australia mag he an extensive Wine-growing Country. 182 THE ART OF LTFING IN AUSTRALIA. Indeed, James King was another of those far-seeing men who were convinced that there was a great future for the Australian wine industry ; moreover, he did a good deal in the way of developing it by cultivating the grape and by making wine. Now, there are certain figures connected with vine- growing and the consumption of wine which possess a great value in relation to Australian viticulture, inasmuch as they enable us to see more clearly its relative progress, and, what is more, they indicate its future possibilities. It is only by methods of this kind that we are enabled to form an accurate estimate of the condition of any industry. And besides this, too, they ■ act as a stimulus to increased exertion. But it will be still more interesting and instruc- tive to make a comparison between the little which has been done in wine production and the almost incredible proportions of our wool industry. And when it is remem- bered that there was nothing to prevent the wine trade from attaining a magnitude very like to that of wool, it will be seen what magnificent opportunities have thus far been practically thrown away.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

The next most notable occurrence in the history of Australian viticulture is undoubtedly the action of James Busby, who in 1828, says Mr. T. A. Coghlan in his Wealth and Progress of New South Wales, " returned from Europe " with a large collection of cuttirigs from the most cele- " brated vineyards of France, Spain, the Rhine valley, and " other parts of the continent of Europe, and started, on " his estate at Kirkton, in the Hunter Eiver district, a " vineyard which has been the nursery of the principal " vineyards of the Colony." This was a more important event than would be imagined from a bare recital of the fact, for Busby has conferred upon Australian wines a high quality for all time to come in this way. His collection of cuttings from the best of the vineyards in Europe consisted of the choicest varieties or " cepages," and this has been a matter for congratulation ever since. Fuller reference, however, will be made to this important subject a little farther on. What is certainly interesting also is that Busby was so impressed with the future of the Australian wine industry that in 1830 he published his Mamial of Plain Directions for Planting and Cultivating Vinegar ds, and for Making Wine, in New South Wales ; and, as I have just said, the high qualities of our wines are due to him alone, so that the name of James Busby must always be gratefully remembered by all Australians. It makes one think that these sturdy pioneers of former times had a greater belief in Australia and her possibilities, and more energy and foresight, than are apparently possessed nowadays. But while I am on the subject of the literature of Australian viticulture I must not forget to mention an excellent little pamphlet by James King in 1857, entitled, Australia mag he an extensive Wine-growing Country. Indeed, James King was another of those far-seeing men who were convinced that there was a great future for the Australian wine industry ; moreover, he did a good deal in the way of developing it by cultivating the grape and by making wine. Now, there are certain figures connected with vinegrowing and the consumption of wine which possess a great value in relation to Australian viticulture, inasmuch as they enable us to see more clearly its relative progress, and, what is more, they indicate its future possibilities. It is only by methods of this kind that we are enabled to form an accurate estimate of the condition of any industry. And besides this, too, they ■ act as a stimulus to increased exertion. But it will be still more interesting and instructive to make a comparison between the little which has been done in wine production and the almost incredible proportions of our wool industry. And when it is remembered that there was nothing to prevent the wine trade from attaining a magnitude very like to that of wool, it will be seen what magnificent opportunities have thus far been practically thrown away.

The art of living in Australia