4() FOREST CULTURE AND 
formerly existed in their own native forests. Like- 
wise so in North America an enormous lot of trees is 
destroyed by girdling and subsequent burning, for 
clearing agricultural lands or pastoralruns. Thus, in 
the earlier part of the next century, every natural for- 
est east of the Mississippi will have disappeared, if, 
with an increasing population, the same rate of con- 
sumption isgoingon. For the States west of the great 
river, in which forest-land is much less extensive, the 
prospects are still more alarming. ‘Hence, Australia 
cannot indifferently look forward for soft-wood from 
these places. 
To givesome idea how long a time will elapse before 
actual timber, not merely firewood, is obtained from 
planted trees, I subjoin a brief list of the more com- 
mon Middle European forest trees, together with notes 
of their age when eligible for various timber purposes : 
1 PREG Vaca onda obo peEEODO-05 ocidanoL ad se cece oe 00-110 years: 
Ffornibearns 2. Sis asctae Setomerneeirrtia cha c See See ee 79-100 ‘S 
Dales ee iaef cestode ee Shee cp gtee nee Shien e020) ames 
Aer eich A ay ava belemtanetete ua Gravette ech ge lea oieieia heaees es le 
Bikol won Wyre eiy seca’ Bela ds ti «ee as ote Bake ee 
SrlVerwbiry. cis sac ketene ues airs divas ravaelcumirs eee OUel Olea 
Norway Spruce............ sek oe bebe Qa'e,s seve nalts OO Renen aan 
Scoteh “Hur ..-: is: h atolgtancia's Gnuvel ers locas amrale Rlohes Co ele ie OOO emeee 
War chetreet he e thee fd Tae. oe ae Ee 0280 ieee ae 
That, however, in our Winterless zone, such ‘of 
these trees as will endure a warmer clime would 
advance with more quickness to maturity must be 
*It should be remembered that most of our forest ranges are naturally 
devoid of Pine-wood, only one species of Callitris occurring in a few limited 
mountain districts, while our second Callitris is a desert species. Without 
coniferous trees of our own we shall finally experience difficulty of obtain- 
ing the required supply of deals, pitch, turpentine, and pine-resin. Doubt- 
less, for many wood-structures now iron is substituted, but even a ship or 
a house cannot be built entirely of iron, and the very production of the iron 
is dependent on fuel. In the absence of coal, the use of iron, involving 
here an expenditure for heavy freight, must necessarily be limited. 
