178 Journal of Agriculture [10 \Jarch, 1910- 



various firms, ibut 1 soon found that the best plan was to see Mr. J. Gore,, 

 the Secretary of the Timber Merchants' Association. I explained the posi- 

 tion in Victoria, and asked if, in tlie event of the Victorian producers desir- 

 ing to obtain butter boxes from Queensland, the timber merchants could 

 supply up to 1,000,000 boxes a year. He said they could, but that 

 they could not, he believed, supply at less than is. 4d. f.o.b. Brisbane; 

 IS. 4d. was, he stated, the price producers in (Queensland who had not 

 contracts were then paying, and it was intended at the meeting of the 

 Association that day to increase the price to is. 5d. I afterw'ards re- 

 ceived a letter from the Secretary of the Association, which practically 

 amounts to a quotation, and is a consideraljle reduction on the present price 

 of butter boxes in Victoria. 



If the producers here would be satisfied with the price quoted, I am of 

 opinion that contracts could be arranged, and that there would be no doubt 

 as to the merchants supplying the necessary quantity. The merchants re- 

 quire ample time to execute orders as it takes about seven wrecks to properly 

 season the timber. 



Suitability of Queensland Hoof) Pine for Butter Boxes. — Although the 

 suitabilitv of hoop pine for butter box purposes appears to be now firmly 

 established, I made some inquiries as to how it really compared in Queens- 

 land with the New Zealand grown box. The dairy expert, Mr. Graham, 

 who is familiar with both the New Zealand white pine and the hoop 

 pine, informed me that he preferred the latter. The New Zealand timber, 

 he said, showed dirt more quickly, and was more easily stained. The 

 Queensland hoop pine he found to be of a closer grain, harder, and more 

 difficult to break. 



Verv few complaints are recei\ed as to breakages of boxes made from 

 hoop pine. On the other hand the following passage is an extract from 

 a letter dated the 21st December, 1909, by Sir John Taverner, the Vic- 

 torian Agent-General, in London : — " The general condition of this butter 

 was fairlv good, but T found manv boxes broken." Sir John Taverner, 

 of course, refers to butter boxes made from New Zealand timber. 



The hoop pine mav be heavier than the New Zealand timber, but it is 

 well within the weight stipulated l)v the shipping companies. The 

 high prices and fir.st prizes that Queensland butter has won in England 

 have perhaps, more than anything else, removed prejudice against the 

 hoop pine box. Attached is a copy of the Departmental Chemist's re- 

 port on the Queensland timber as compared with that grown in New 

 Zealand ; a perusal of Mr. Brunnich's report should dispel anv remaining 

 objection to the hoop pine butter box. 



Sawmills in Queenslaxp and their Yield.s. 



