TIMBERS. 489 
being subject to split when exported to India or England in log. It 
must be borne in mind that its density renders seasoning very slow, 
and that the inner portions of the larger trees are in a state of decay 
while the outer portions are in full vigour. A tree under these 
conditions, the inner portions comparatively dry, and the outer full 
of sap, shipped at once to a hot climate like that of India, or to such 
a variable one as that of England, very naturally bursts from 
unequal shrinkage, being also exposed to very great changes of 
temperature. To obviate this peculiarity and apparent defect, let 
the Jarrah be fallen when the sap is at the lowest ebb, and 
flitched as previously suggested.” 
From the foregoing statements it will be seen that there is 
great diversity of opinion upon the merits of Jarrah timber, and 
time only will show whether, if imported, it will find. favour with 
ship-builders and others in this country. 
“Some three or four years since (about 1871) the Western 
Australian Timber Company were busily engaged in the forests 
preparing a large quantity of Jarrah for exportation. The company 
professes, I believe, to select only the best trees, and to cut them 
at the proper season; the deliveries should, therefore, be of the very 
best sort the country produces. I have earnestly looked for sample 
cargoes to arrive in the London Docks, but up to the present (1875) 
none of any importance has been reported.”” This does not remain 
true now. The price of the timber is frequently quoted in the 
hardwood list of the. Zimber Trades’ Fournal, and especially 
during the currency of the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, the 
shipments of Jarrah to England have been numerous. 
A sample, sent to the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, was 
tested by Mr. Allen Ransome. He reported as follows :—“ It is 
beautifully marked, and somewhat resembles mahogany in colour. 
Railway sleepers, joinery, casks, spokes, and hammer handles 
were made from it. The planed and moulded specimens, unlike 
the Karri, which does not finish well, left the machines with a 
remarkably fine surface.” 
Mr. R. C. Patterson states (Proc. Inst. C.E., lvi., 39) that 
certain Jarrah sleepers, after having been in the ground in the 
South Australian railways for twelve years, were in as good condition 
