1795-1800 John Hunter

Introduction – 1795-1800 John Hunter

The Administration of the Colony of Victory by Majors Grose and Paterson was followed by 1795-1800 John Hunter.

In 1795 Sydney was about 8 years old: houses were still mostly simple timber and bark although there was now a brickworks; failure of early harvests meant that the colony still depended on provisions, including clothing, transported by sea from elsewhere; there was no treasury and no official currency, government bought goods by using British treasury bills which merchants could redeem from the British government; there was a single satisfactory road heading west to the farms of Parramatta and Toongabbie. The military (New South Wales Corps) had effectively hijacked the economy, controlling trade, especially of alcohol.

In 1798 a cargo of plants arrived in HMS Porpoise that included herbs, vines, hops, olives, apples, willows, oaks and ashes.(cited in Frost 64)

By 1799 the colonists had 6,100 ac. under wheat, 2,500 under maize, 82 under barley, and ‘large tracts of garden ground’ and by 1801 more than half of the 6,000 mainland colonists were self-supporting with the Government Farm at Rose Hill as the main hub of plant acclimatization and dispersal and here was ‘A fine garden …experiments are made, with a view to naturalize foreign vegetables‘. By 1805 the colony was essentially self-sufficient in European foodstuffs. (all cited in Frost p. 64).

John Hunter became Governor in 1795, in effect sent to ‘clean up’ the colony which, in spite of its economic progress, had lapsed into a lifestyle of debauchery. Though sympathetic to evangelical moral concerns Hunter was openly impressed by progress, acknowledging that self-interest rather than the public good had produced a pleasing result. Emancipists and freemen began to usurp the trading monopoly of the Corps officers who now concentrated on their accumulated land holdings. Hunter encouraged more farming and settlement around Parramatta where the farms were privately owned by many of these officers but he feuded bitterly with the redoubtable and fiery spokesperson for many of these officers, John Macarthur, an altercation that eventually lead to Hunter’s recall to Britain in 1800 to be replaced by Philip Gidley King.

By 1792 confident American whalers from the whaling hub of Nantucket were bringing cargoes to Port Jackson, helping convicts escape, ruthlessly slaughtering seals and taking native women.

The Spanish of the Malaspine expedition of 1789-1794 were impressed by progess, noting a small harvest of corn, wheat and barley, a good crop of potato along with fruit trees, vegetable patches, lemons and grapevines – comparing the climate and soil to that of Andalucia. After only five years it looked like and old establishment. (Frost p. 69)

An official boat-builder arrived in 1796 by which time experience of the local timbers meant that ships could be repaired and seviceable ships constructed using local materials.(Frost p. 67)

Plant History

During John Hunter’s administration from 1795 to 1800, several significant changes occurred in the agriculture, horticulture, forestry, gardening, and the human relationship to plants in Australia. These changes were influenced by the increasing presence of European settlers, the development of new technologies, and the exploration of the natural landscape. This period marked the beginning of a more organized and systematic approach to the management and cultivation of plants in Australia. One of the most significant changes during this time was the introduction of new agricultural practices and crops by European settlers. Hunter’s administration saw an increase in the cultivation of wheat, barley, maize, and other European crops, which had a profound impact on the local agricultural economy. The introduction of these new crops not only provided a more diverse and reliable food source for the growing population but also laid the foundations for the development of a more structured and efficient agricultural sector in Australia. In addition to the introduction of new crops, Hunter’s administration also saw the establishment of numerous agricultural settlements and the expansion of existing farms. This expansion led to increased agricultural production and the development of more sophisticated farming techniques. The adoption of European farming methods, such as crop rotation and the use of plows and other agricultural machinery, helped to improve productivity and efficiency in the agricultural sector. The horticultural landscape also experienced significant changes during Hunter’s administration. The introduction of new plant species from Europe led to the establishment of gardens and ornamental landscapes in the growing urban centers. European settlers brought with them a wealth of horticultural knowledge and expertise, which they used to create beautiful gardens and parks that showcased the diverse flora of their homelands. Furthermore, the exploration of Australia’s natural landscape during this time led to the discovery of new plant species, many of which were previously unknown to Europeans. Botanists and naturalists accompanying expeditions and exploratory missions collected and documented these new plant species, contributing to the expansion of botanical knowledge and the development of Australian botany as a field of study. Forestry management also underwent significant changes during this period. The demand for timber and other forest products led to the establishment of logging operations and the implementation of more sustainable forestry practices. The introduction of European forestry techniques, such as selective logging and reforestation, helped to ensure the long-term viability of Australia’s forest resources. Gardening also played a crucial role in the changing relationship between humans and plants during Hunter’s administration. The establishment of private gardens and public parks in urban centers reflected the growing appreciation for the aesthetic and recreational value of plants. Gardening became not only a means of food production but also a form of artistic expression and a source of leisure and relaxation for the growing urban population. The changes in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, and gardening during Hunter’s administration had a profound impact on the human relationship to plants in Australia. These changes not only transformed the natural landscape but also influenced the social and cultural attitudes towards plants and the environment. The introduction of new crops and horticultural practices led to the diversification of the Australian flora and the creation of new cultural and culinary traditions based on the cultivation of these new species. In addition, the increased focus on sustainability and conservation in forestry and horticulture reflected a growing awareness of the importance of preserving Australia’s natural environment and plant diversity. This shift in attitude towards the environment laid the groundwork for the development of modern conservation and environmental protection policies in Australia. Overall, John Hunter’s administration marked a period of significant transformation in the agriculture, horticulture, forestry, gardening, and human relationship to plants in Australia. The introduction of new crops, the expansion of agricultural settlements, the development of new horticultural landscapes, and the exploration and conservation of Australia’s natural flora all helped to shape the way in which plants were cultivated, managed, and valued in the country. These changes laid the foundations for the development of modern agricultural and environmental practices in Australia and had a lasting impact on the country’s cultural and natural landscape (AI- GPT-4o June 2024).

Timeline – 1795-1800 John Hunter

1. 1795-1800:
   • Introduction of New Agricultural Practices: European settlers introduce crops like wheat, barley, maize, leading to a more diverse food source and the development of a structured agricultural sector.
2. 1795-1800:
   • Expansion of Agricultural Settlements: Establishment of new farms and the adoption of European farming methods like crop rotation and agricultural machinery improve productivity.
3. 1795-1800:
   • Horticultural Development: European settlers create gardens and ornamental landscapes in urban centers, showcasing diverse flora and horticultural expertise.
4. 1795-1800:
   • Exploration of Natural Landscape: Discovery of new plant species previously unknown to Europeans, contributing to the expansion of botanical knowledge.
5. 1795-1800:
   • Forestry Management: Demand for timber leads to sustainable forestry practices, including selective logging and reforestation, ensuring the long-term viability of forest resources.
6. 1795-1800:
   • Gardening as Artistic Expression: Private gardens and public parks become popular, reflecting the aesthetic and recreational value of plants and the growing urban population’s appreciation for gardening.
7. 1795-1800:
   • Cultural and Culinary Traditions: Introduction of new crops and horticultural practices shape new cultural and culinary traditions based on the cultivation of these species.
8. 1795-1800:
   • Focus on Sustainability and Conservation: Increased emphasis on sustainability and conservation in forestry and horticulture highlights the importance of preserving Australia’s natural environment and plant diversity.
9. 1795-1800:
   • Shift in Attitude towards Environment: Growing awareness of the importance of environmental preservation lays the groundwork for modern conservation and environmental protection policies in Australia.