236 AMERICAN LUMBER IX FOREIGN MARKETS. 



Exports. 



ANNABERG, March 22, 1895. 



THEODORE M. STEPHAN, 



Consul. 



AUSTRALIAN WOODS FOR STREET-PAVING. 



At the present time, when this country is recovering from the recent 

 financial cyclone, and when the business outlook is daily growing more 

 promising, it is not inappropriate to consider by what means the com- 

 merce between the United States and the Australian colonies can be 

 increased to mutual advantage. 



It has occurred to me that a large and profitable business can be done 

 between the two countries by the shipping to the United States of 

 wood blocks for street-paving. The advantages to be derived are 

 manifold. 



Wood pavements are admittedly the best in the world, and of late 

 years they have only been abandoned in the United States owing to the 

 fact that no wood of native growth could bo found that would stand 

 the wear and tear of the heavy traffic in our large cities. 



In this country one is compelled to notice and give the palm to the 

 street pavements made from blocks of red and blue gum, a wood grown 

 in this country, which have proved to be equal to all requirements. 



I have noticed, in this city and in Sydney, where strips of the wooden 

 pavements have been joined to a stone pavement and where both have 

 been subjected to the heaviest wear, that the wooden pavement has 

 worn even better than the stone, and, where the two pavements join, 

 the edges of the wood blocks are not even chipped or worn. 



It is a pity that our country, which is so far ahead of other lands in 

 many respects, should be so far behind in this matter of street-paving. 



Can we not adopt the Australian wood blocks to advantage ? If a fair 

 trial could be given by some of our cities, I am sure that it would result 

 in the adoption of Australian timber for street-paving in the United 

 States and thus open up a new industry between the two countries. 



