With a proper recognition of existing climatic sur-
roundings there would be an overwhelming demand
for more fish food ; for something better than the
present Liliputian supply; and for the creation of
extensive deep-sea fisheries. Fish in Australia is
nothing more than a high-priced luxury, although
prefects for the development of the deep-sea fisheries
have been repeatedly suggested. Somehow or other
we never get beyond this stage, and as a consequence
the yield from our fisheries is simply pitiable. A
widespread use of fish and an adequate fish supply
would give employment to hundreds and to thousands.
As I have pointed out in the chapter relating to this
subject, the want of enterprise shown in starting our
deep-sea fisheries is an inexplicable anomaly. If the
Australian people had sprung from an inland race,
this would not, perhaps, have been so difficult to
understand. But coming, as we do, from a stock the
most maritime the world has ever seen, such a defect
is not to our credit as inheritors of the old traditions.
Nor can it be pretended that market gardening has
ever been taken up seriously, if we apply the state-
ment to Australia as a whole. It is true that Sydney
and Melbourne, and possibly Adelaide and Brisbane,
have made an attempt in this direction. But even
viii PREFACE.
with this admission there is not much reason for
congratulation from an olitory point of view. Few —
only very few — of the more commonly known varie-
ties are grown. For if the potato and the cabbage
were taken away, Australia would be almost bereft of
vegetables. There are, however, many others, which
are delicious and wholesome, which are easily grown,
and which would make a pleasing addition to the
present monotonously restricted choice. And there is
something even more than all this. It is, that market
gardening is a healthy and profitable calling ; that it
settles the people on the land ; and that it creates a
class of small landed proprietors — the very bone and
sinew of any population.
In the chapter relating to Australian Food Habits
it will be found that many of these desirable vege-
tables are enumerated. Their good qualities are
highly appreciated on the Continent and elsewhere,
and there is no earthly reason why they should not be
grown here. The history of the introduction of the
tomato into Australia is instructive in this connection.
For years and years it struggled desperately, but
unsuccessfully, for a place, and the attempt to bring it
into use was on the point of being abandoned in con-
sequence. But at last its undeniable merits were
acknowledged, and to-day it is in universal request.
Now, it is perfectly safe to assume that the same
recognition would be awarded to many other vege-
PREFACE. IX
tables at present practically unknown in Australia.
For instance, sweet com — which, however, must not
be confused with Indian com — is of exquisite flavour,
almost melting in the mouth, while it possesses also
eminently nourishing properties. It is a great
favourite with Americans, and hundreds of acres are
required annually for the New York markets alone.
Page 5
Presented as published in 1893. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
With a proper recognition of existing climatic surroundings there would be an overwhelming demand for more fish food ; for something better than the present Liliputian supply; and for the creation of extensive deep-sea fisheries. Fish in Australia is nothing more than a high-priced luxury, although prospects for the development of the deep-sea fisheries have been repeatedly suggested. Somehow or other we never get beyond this stage, and as a consequence the yield from our fisheries is simply pitiable. A widespread use of fish and an adequate fish supply would give employment to hundreds and to thousands. As I have pointed out in the chapter relating to this subject, the want of enterprise shown in starting our deep-sea fisheries is an inexplicable anomaly. If the Australian people had sprung from an inland race, this would not, perhaps, have been so difficult to understand. But coming, as we do, from a stock the most maritime the world has ever seen, such a defect is not to our credit as inheritors of the old traditions.
Nor can it be pretended that market gardening has ever been taken up seriously, if we apply the statement to Australia as a whole. It is true that Sydney and Melbourne, and possibly Adelaide and Brisbane, have made an attempt in this direction. But even
viii PREFACE.
with this admission there is not much reason for congratulation from an olitorary point of view. Few — only very few — of the more commonly known varieties are grown. For if the potato and the cabbage were taken away, Australia would be almost bereft of vegetables. There are, however, many others, which are delicious and wholesome, which are easily grown, and which would make a pleasing addition to the present monotonously restricted choice. And there is something even more than all this. It is, that market gardening is a healthy and profitable calling ; that it settles the people on the land ; and that it creates a class of small landed proprietors — the very bone and sinew of any population.
In the chapter relating to Australian Food Habits it will be found that many of these desirable vegetables are enumerated. Their good qualities are highly appreciated on the Continent and elsewhere, and there is no earthly reason why they should not be grown here. The history of the introduction of the tomato into Australia is instructive in this connection. For years and years it struggled desperately, but unsuccessfully, for a place, and the attempt to bring it into use was on the point of being abandoned in consequence. But at last its undeniable merits were acknowledged, and to-day it is in universal request. Now, it is perfectly safe to assume that the same recognition would be awarded to many other vege-
PREFACE. IX
tables at present practically unknown in Australia. For instance, sweet com — which, however, must not be confused with Indian com — is of exquisite flavour, almost melting in the mouth, while it possesses also eminently nourishing properties. It is a great favourite with Americans, and hundreds of acres are required annually for the New York markets alone.