The Art of Living in Australia | Page 5

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 vegetables vegetables at present practically unknown in
Australia. For instance, sweet corn--which, however, must not be
confused with Indian corn--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.
But if there is one desirable form of food which we should expect to
find in daily use by the whole Community, it is surely the salad. More
than this, it deserves to meet with favour as a national dish. It takes
pre-eminent rank in Southern Europe, and is certainly entitled to
occupy a similar high position in the Australian food list. Unfortunately
there is just the same story to tell, and the strange neglect of salads can
only be expressed by the term incomprehensible. It is a waste-saving
dish; it is wholesome, in that it is purifying to the blood; it is full of
infinite variety; and its low price brings it within easy every-day reach
even of the humblest dwelling. But, as things are, even the salad plants
themselves are represented by a meagre list, and are confined to only
few varieties. And as far as salad herbs are concerned, they are literally
unknown.
Now, although I am strongly of opinion that a more widespread use of
fish, vegetables, and salads in Australia would be attended by the
happiest results (both by benefiting the national health and by
developing Australia's food-industries), yet it must not be understood
that I countenance vegetarianism. So far from being a vegetarian, I am
one of those who firmly believe in the advantages derived from a
mixed diet. But my assertion is that we in Australia habitually consume
an injurious amount of meat to the exclusion of far more needed
nourishment. The golden rule as far as the Australian dietary is
concerned is a minimum of meat, and a relatively maximum amount of
the other classes of food. The influence which food exercises upon

health is a matter of far-reaching importance, in that it affects the daily
life of the whole population. Amongst others, the following medical
writers--Sir James Risdon Bennett, Dr. J. Milner Fothergill, Dr. T. King
Chambers, and Dr. J.H. Bennett--have in the past contributed much to
this subject. In the present day, Sir Henry Thompson, Sir William
Roberts, Dr. T. Lauder Brunton, Dr. F.W. Pavy, Dr. Burney Yeo, and
many more have given their advocacy to the same purpose. It is urged
by all these authorities that there is a needless consumption of animal
food even in the old country, and they all agree that an exaggerated
value is attached to butcher's meat on the part of the public. If
representative medical opinion thus protests against the use of an
unnecessary amount of animal diet in the climatic conditions obtaining
in the United Kingdom, how much more would the misuse of the same
food in a semi-tropical climate like Australia be disapproved of! Indeed,
I am perfectly certain, that were those who have given attention to food
and dietetics in possession of the facts, they would unhesitatingly
condemn the grotesque inversion of food-habits at present in vogue
throughout Australia. There is one very important matter which
unquestionably requires to have special attention drawn to it. I refer to
the customary Australian mid-day meal. Strange to say, all through the
hot season, as well as the rest of the year, this consists in most cases of
a heavy repast always comprising meat. Why, even in the cooler
months, a ponderous meal of this kind is not required! My own views
are that meat in the middle of the day is quite unnecessary, and, indeed,
during the hot months actually prejudicial. Most people in Australia,
after a fair trial, will find that a lunch of some warm soup, with a course
perhaps of some fish, and vegetables, or salad, or whatever it may be to
follow, will not only be ample, but will give them a sensation of
buoyancy in the afternoon they never before experienced. Among the
recipes will be found many which may help to bring about a reform in
this respect. The