904 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



regulation was made wliicli prevents the increase of this class of mill, 

 and they must gradually die out. 



The millers supplying the metropolis have now come to some sort 

 of understanding as to prices on a basis of 8s. per 100 feet super, on 

 the trucks, and are doing well. The Crown royalty is 2d. per 

 100 feet super. 



The output for the ])urpose of collecting royalty is now taken from 

 the sawmillers' books, and there is no reason to doubt the genuine- 

 ness of the figures, but it is suggested as an additional safeguard 

 against carelessness in compiling them, that statutory declarations at 

 ■stated intervals should be jjrovided. 



Sleeper Hewing. 



This has continued throughout the 3^ear, and has apparently come 

 to stay. Though seriously opposed at first, in many forests it has 

 proved a blessing in disguise. Thousands of culls and over-matured 

 trees have been turned to profitable account that would otherwise 

 have served no useful purpose whatever, and tens of thousands of 

 sleepers have been obtained from trees growing on ordinary Crown 

 lands and grazing areas that could have served no more advantageous 

 end. 



The supervision has been strict, and therefore comparatively 

 costly. There is also some necessary waste, but part of this would be 

 avoided if the Railway Department could be induced to accept a 

 certain proportion of their lesser sized sleepers in their contracts for 

 full sized oiies. Frequently timber that would cut a small sleeper is 

 left to rot, because a small one will not be accepted at any price, 

 when the contract is for large ones. 



Wattle Growing. 



Plantations have l)een extended and new ones projected during 

 the year. So far as we know, there is no forest tree that will produce 

 so much in return for a given expenditure, and in so small a period of 

 time, if all goes well. It is intended to largely increase the planta- 

 tions during the coming year. The money has never previously been 

 forthcoming to launch out so boldly. But in this, as in other things, 

 it is well not to hasten too fast, and some degree of caution is neces- 

 sary. A first cost necessitates a continued cost for a period of from 

 five to eight years, and although the department has succeeded in its 

 past operations, private persons who have taken the matter up as a 

 business, and have spared neither money nor labour, lia^'e not 

 managed to get a return. 



The tree is subject to the ever present dangers of fire and disease, 

 and it will not be for the want of trying if some efficient and cheap 

 substitute for tan bark is not presently discovered ; in fact it is 

 claimed to have been found already. Should this prove correct, the 

 value of the plantations would be suddenly discounted. These obser- 

 vations are made in connection with the numerous suggestions that 

 the Department should plant tens of thousands of acres with this tree. 



