Timber Trade of Chinese Empire, 669 



the best and most satisfactory railroad tie there. Experiments are 

 also being made in creosoted Oregon pine at $1.15 gold per tie; 

 but at best I do not believe the future of this supply to be very 

 great. Australian woods have been used, and undoubtedly will 

 last very well; but it is a question whether the cost — from $1.15 

 up per tie — will not operate against their common use. 



The Malay district woods of the grade of the Philippine Yacal 

 (Hopea and Shorea species) most certainly would prove satis- 

 factory, and ought to be sold there at a price sufficiently low to 

 control the market for railroad ties, at least in the more unfavor- 

 able situations. There would also be a likelihood that the soft 

 Malay woods, such as the grades of the Philippine White Lauaan 

 (Pentacame species), treated with creosote, should prove very 

 satisfactory and might compete in cost with the Japanese woods. 

 In this connection, the presence of city gas supply works in 

 Shanghai and other points might prove of great value. At 

 present, to the best of my knowledge, the creosote is not saved in 

 the process of manufacture of gas. There are also large coke 

 works near Hankow, which might supply creosote cheaply. So 

 far as I know, however, all creosote used at present has been im- 

 ported, and nothing done towards creating a local source of supply. 

 There would be a chance for someone to make quite a profitable 

 contract by inducing these coal dealers to produce creosote for 

 local use. 



In South China the railroad ties will probably have to be of 

 more durable woods such as Australian woods or woods of the 

 grade of the Philippine Yacal unless the softer Malay woods, 

 when treated with creosote, would prove satisfactory. Japanese 

 woods have been used in the past, but are not very satisfactory. 



For Telegraph and Telephone JPoles 



For these, native poles are now used practically altogether and 

 probably will continue to be so used as they will be cheaper than 

 others and their size and form are well adapted for that purpose. 



For Piling. 



For piles for the foundations of houses, etc., where the piles are 

 completely buried, native poles are used entirely, and being quite 

 satisfactory and the cheapest available, will probably continue to 

 be so used. For piling for wharves, etc., imported woods are used 

 nearly altogether. Some Oregon pine has been used in the north 

 and elsewhere, simply because of the ease with which large sizes 

 could be secured, but the Malay woods such as the Borneo billian 

 and Philippine aranga, molave, and yacal are much preferred and 

 are indeed very superior woods for that purpose; and could the 

 supply of the timbers be secured at reasonable prices they would 



