roperly planted and
irrigated, as the bulk of their sustenance is derived from the air.
One more remark about trees and their possibilities as food
providers. Wherever any kind of tree will grow some kind of fruit
tree will grow. There are hundreds of millions of gum trees growing
in Australia. Where every one of these trees is, some kind of fruit
tree would grow if properly planted and looked after.

Again, to utilise Australia to it's full extent the whole world
should be sought through for the best plants and trees of every kind,
and only the very best grown, and those in situations and soil best
adapted for them.

One argument against Australia is that much of its surface is sandy,
but experiments and developments in various countries show that the
planting of marram grass, lupins, and other plants ties even the
drifting sand together and gradually, through their decay, turns the
sandy wastes into fertile soil. Besides, science can, in many other
ways, utilise the elements in the air to enrich the soil.

Australia's Mineral Resources

It has been objected that in the above epitome no mention is made of
the great mineral wealth of Australia. The reason is that minerals,
exceedingly useful as they are in the arts, are not absolutely
necessary (with the exception perhaps of iron) to the feeding,
clothing, and housing of mankind. Vast multitudes have lived without
them; but it may be remarked that Australia is a country very rich in
minerals; some hold it the richest in the world. It possesses immense
deposits of iron not yet utilised, and the most extensive gold-fields
yet discovered. Australia and Tasmania have, according to the latest
estimate of our Commonwealth Statistician, produced minerals to the
value of L660,252,694--comprising in round numbers, Gold
L474,000,000; Tin L24,000,000; and other kinds L8,000,000. The bulk
of the above has been produced during the last 60 years, in a
population rising from about 300,000 to 4,000,000 and it forecasts
how vast the mineral-producing future of Australia is likely to be.
Altogether Australia is a country as highly favoured by nature as any
other of equal size upon earth, for the bountiful production of
useful animals, vegetables, minerals, and men.

The Best Country On Earth--Unknown Australia

"'If we Australians took as much trouble to prepare for our summer
as the Canadians take to forestall their winter, Australia would be
THE MOST PROSPEROUS COUNTRY