122 ON THE TIMBER SUPPLY OP AUSTRALIA. 



Expense would be necessarily incurred, in the first instance, in 

 burning off the vegetation now covering these spots, and in after- 

 wards preventing its growth, so as to keep any accidental fire 

 within bounds. It would be sufficient, beyond this, merely to sow 

 the seed on the burned surface. Other places on the lower ranges, 

 covered with rough grass, are not so likely to suffer from fire. The 

 soil is poor compared with the higher ranges, and is more or less 

 stony, and the existing trees few and far between. No other spots 

 in the forest seem, at first sight, so well adapted for a trial planta- 

 tion of some species of coniferse, if deemed advisable to attempt to 

 create a local supply of the soft woods now so extensively im- 

 ported." It will require many years' experience before we can 

 ascertain the most profitable trees for different localities, or before 

 we can point to trees which are safe to plant as a narrow belt or 

 break-wind, in the shelter of which afterwards the more desirable 

 timber can be grown. And here I will take the opportunity of 

 making a remark in reply to a very incorrect notion held by a 

 great many persons. The wood of one and the same kind of tree 

 is not always of the same value. Suitable or unsuitable position 

 has considerable influence on the value of the timber, and there is 

 generally a great superiority in timber growing artificially to that 

 growing wild. But artificial planting is not only preferable from 

 the greater absence of knots and other faults — it is even more en- 

 durable — and the quantity which may be grown per acre is very 

 much larger. In artificial plantations you hope and can fairly ex- 

 pect to turn every tree into prepared stuff, not one-nineteenth only, 

 as is, for instance, the case with the natural forests in New Zealand. 

 Forests sown broadcast are also almost in every case inferior to 

 those where the trees stand in rows as regards the quantity of use- 

 ful timber, although in other respects every care and attention may 

 be paid to both alike. I can show most remarkable comparative 

 tables relating thereto, which conclusively prove quicker growths 

 and larger numbers of frees upon the same area and soil. Another 

 matter, however, connected with the value of timber is of still 

 greater importance, namely, the selection of the proper season for 

 cutting the trees, and not to cut them all the year round, as has 

 been the custom in South Australia. I presume we must select 

 the close of the summer season, and before the heavy rains have 

 again circulated the sap more freely, as the best season. I found 

 posts and rails cut in spring decay sooner, and so will posts, if 

 put into the ground quite green. We should hear far less said 



