A TOUR IN AUSTRALIA. 12 1 



itself to different situations is truly remarkable. At both high 

 and low altitudes the trees retain their normal healthy 

 appearance, although perhaps in undrained, waterlogged positions 

 trouble will arise sooner or later. Constitutionally weak trees 

 usually contract the disease caused by Chermes (aphis), but 

 even these speedily recover if growing conditions are favour- 

 able. My attention was drawn to two distinct variations in 

 Pinus znsignis, one variety possessing softer foliage, with the 

 timber of finer texture than the coarser-needled type. Needless 

 to say, efforts are being directed upon propagating trees 

 from specially selected cones. Throughout Canterbury, also, 

 the quality of the pine timber varies considerably, and the 

 more drooping, finer-foliaged, thinner-barked tree yields timber 

 of a finer texture. 



The planting distance (8 feet apart) is in Australia much the 

 same as that decided upon some years ago by the Selwyn 

 Plantation Board in New Zealand (7 ft. 6 ins.), a spacing that 

 is still being adhered to. 



For fruit cases Finns insignis timber is becoming increasingly 

 popular, as the gum cases are heavier and more liable to split 

 on nailing. K fair area is also being afforested with P. ponderosa 

 and Pseudotsuga taxifolia. Thus, with increased distribution of 

 official forestry reports and interchange of practical opinions, 

 planting systems are being pursued on almost similar lines 

 throughout Australasia. 



Milling and Timber 0/f///>/<^. — Several mills were visited, and 

 a good deal of information secured relative to the exploitation 

 of gum woods. As experienced in the Dominion, young gum 

 trees invariably give trouble to the millers, and a large pro- 

 portion of waste in the slab is inseparable from the conversion 

 of such trees into required commercial sizes. Should a reason- 

 able demand exist for heavy sizes, much of the better grade 

 blue gum in the Darfield district might, next winter, be milled 

 at a greater profit than if corded up for fuel purposes. 



Unfortunately, young forms of E. globulus are notorious for 

 warping, although many other species are milled without the 

 necessity of resorting to special cutting and seasoning measures. 



At Macedon, old peppermint gum {E. amygdali7id) stands are 

 being cut out for fuel, and the area thus relieved is being 

 replanted wih Firms insignis. Portions of the Epping Forest in 

 Tasmania will in all probability be similarly dealt with. Hard- 



