AMERICAN LUMBER IN FOREIGN MARKETS. 237 



Perhaps the very best timber obtainable for this purpose is the Tas- 

 manian blue gum. This has worn here for six or eight years. In all 

 that time no repairs have had to be made, and the pavements are as 

 good to-day as when laid. 



The Tasmanian government is interested in the matter, and have 

 taken active steps to place samples before our contractors and municipal 

 authorities. 



An American exporting and importing firm doing business here, with 

 a branch in New York City, recently visited Hobart, the capital of 

 Tasmania, and laid the matter before the premier. They were most 

 courteously received, and at their suggestion the premier caused to be 

 shipped to them in New York samples of these blocks, which can now 

 be seen at the office of Messrs. Trowbridge & Terry, 531 Broadway. 



While these hard woods are plentiful here, it must be remembered 

 that the cost of freight, etc., would bring them to New York at a price 

 probably no lower than cedar blocks can be obtained at home; but 

 consideration must be given to their durability and vast superiority. 



It is not unlikely that in view of opening up this trade with the 

 colonies and at the same time benefiting our own land, arrangements 

 might be made to admit these blocks free of duty. 



The demand at home will be endless and the supply here inexhaust- 

 ible, and the benefits resulting from the adoption of these blocks 

 apparent. For instance, all sailing vessels coming to this port from 

 the United States are, in nearly all cases, obliged to go to other ports 

 seeking return cargoes. Should the wood blocks be accepted and used 

 in the United States, these vessels could all get return freights here, 

 and thus the trade between the two countries would be profitably 

 increased. 



DANIEL W. MARATTA, 



Consul- General. 



MELBOURNE, January 12, 1894. 



A VALUABLE TREE IN NEW CALEDONIA. 



From time to time I have received requests from citizens of divers 

 Southern States for seed of the niaouli tree of New Caledonia. This 

 tree (Melaleuoa leucodendron) is the characteristic wood of this coun- 

 try. It blooms in January and June. Its wood is of a reddish color 

 and hard. It works well, more especially for wheelwright purposes. It 

 has a suberous or cork-like bark, and replaces cork in some of its 

 usages. The leaves are employed for medical purposes ; when distilled, 

 they give an essence which is a powerful antiseptic. It is generally 

 admitted that the exceptional salubrity of New Caledonia is due to the 

 essence of this wood The vicinity of swamps is not dangerous to 

 health here. It is probable that the above facts are known to some 



