EUCALYPTUS TREES. 35 
real age of the larger trees, which are sinking daily 
under our axes, often sacrificed unnecessarily. On 
this occasion, as an apt one, I may, then, explain 
that a period of a quarter or even half a century must 
elapse before a solid plank, hardened by age, can be 
obtained from even a rapid-growing Eucalyptus-tree. 
It is estimated to require twenty to twenty-five years 
before even a sleeper of Blue Gum-wood can be obtain- 
ed from a tree planted in ordinary soil; and that 
double the time will elapse before a sown tree of the 
still more durable Red Gum Eucalyptus will furnish 
sleepers, such as hitherto have been in use for our 
railway works. But a supply of fuel from these trees 
may be obtained much earlier. Mr. Adam Anderson, 
a timber merchant of this city, concurs in this esti- . 
mate. 
Yet for forest operations we enjoy here advantages 
of two-fold kind, for which in middle Europe we are 
justly envied.- We can disseminate quickly-growing 
Eucalyptus-trees in the most arid districts; we can 
add to them, as _a first shelter, many of the native 
Casuarinas and Acacias, and thus gain cover for less 
hardy trees of other countries. On the other hand, 
we find in the moist and rich valleys of our ranges a 
vast extent of space, where, under the mild influence 
of the clime, sub-tropic trees could be reared million- 
fold; where, for instance, whole forests of the Red 
Cedar might be originated. Besides, we do not stand 
at any disadvantage if we want to raise a belt of sea- 
coast Pines all along the shores, or if we wish to rear 
the Norway Spruce, or Silver Fir, or Larch, or Wey- 
mouth Fir, or the Douglas Pine, or any of the Pitch- 
pines of North America ; because we can call forth, if 
