252 ^transactions of royal scottish arboricultural society. 



Western Australia. 



The leading timbers of this State are the well-known jarrah 

 (Eucalyptus inarginata) and karri {Eucalyj)tus diversicolor), 

 •which occupy a computed area of 8,000,000 and 1,200,000 acres 

 respectively in the south-western district. The average size of 

 matured jarrah trees is from 90 to 120 feet in height, and from 

 3 to 5 feet in diameter. The stems are straight and clean, and 

 rise 50 to 60 feet without a branch. Karri is a still finer tree, 

 its height averaging 200 feet, diameter 4 to 6 feet, and its stem 

 rises branchless from 120 to 150 feet. The colour of the matured 

 woods is red, and it is difficult, even for experts, to tell from the 

 material itself the difference between them. The usual test is 

 by burning, when jarrah is found to leave (ordinarily) a black 

 clinker, and karri a white ash. Both timbers ai-e largely used 

 for harbours and dock purposes, railway sleepers and waggons, 

 and street paving. For structural works karri is preferred, as it 

 possesses greater lateral strength than jarrah. But for general 

 uses jarrah is (locally) in much greater demand, and is esteemed 

 the better wood. These timbers, when sound, possess, in common 

 with some other Australian woods, great immunity from the 

 attacks of marine and land insects, and are comparatively non- 

 inflammable. The former characteristic renders them suitable for 

 sea-work of every kind and for use in damp ground, while the 

 latter renders them useful as a fire-resisting material, on account 

 of which, I understand, an order has recently been placed for karri 

 sleepers for the Baker Street to Waterloo tube railway by the 

 Underground Electric Railways Company of London, Ltd. The 

 durability of karri and jarrah is universally recognised. Samples 

 of timber which had been in use for piers and railways and for 

 underground work for many years (such as those shown at 

 recent exhibitions in Pai-is, Glasgow, and London) prove that 

 they compare favoui'ably with the best hardwoods of the world. 

 The usefulness of these woods for street paving in this country is 

 also well known. 



Of the other timbers of this State available for export, tuart 

 (Eucalyptus gomphocephala) occupies the first place. This 

 timber, in strength and toughness, is one of the best, if not 

 the best, of all Australian woods. But the limited area it 

 occupies I'enders a large export trade in it impracticable. Red 

 gum (Eucalyptus calophylla) is a strong and useful wood, and 

 has a very wide range. It requires, however, to be carefully 



