Choice of Trees 21 



CHAPTER VI. 

 CHOICE OF TREES. 



WE have already given the opinion that the production of Saw- 

 timber, such as railway sleepers, may be considered as the work 

 of the State. What we have further to consider is what species 

 should be chosen, for general utility, which will give a fair re- 

 turn in from 12 to 25 years, or at the most 30 years. Within 

 this time limit it is possible to grow trees for furniture (where 

 small wood can be used) : Mine timber (props, laggings, "pigsty 

 wood," &c.) ; some of the woods used in wagon building, box- 

 wood, rails and fence posts, firewood, and a few other odd uses. 

 In addition, there are the shelter trees and windbreak trees. 



FOB FURNITURE the two best and safest trees would be Grevillea 

 robusta (Silky Oak) and Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon). 

 Some of our readers will remember seeing a beautiful bedroom 

 suite exhibited by the late Mr. Reed, Cabinet Maker, on the 

 Maritsburg Agricultural Show. Mr. Reed assured us at the time 

 that Grevillea makes an excellent, easily worked furniture wood, 

 taking a high polish, and with beautiful markings. The tinui 

 required for growth to a useable size is about 25 years; When 

 young the tree is very susceptible to frost, and its cultivation 

 will, therefore, be limited to fairly warm districts, with not more 

 than a maximum of 8 F. of frost It does remarkably well in 

 the deep, red hill soil of (he Natal Midlands. 



Dlackwocd is more cosmopolitan, and appears to be qxiite at 

 home up to an elevation of 4,000 feet, with a frost maximum of 

 15. It will make a good useful timber in 25 years, or even in 

 some cases in 20 years. The wood is already used by wagon 

 builders in South Africa, and is much appreciated. Maiden, the 

 Australian authority, says that Blackwood is probably often sub- 

 stituted for American Walnut, and that it is highly valued for 

 making furniture, billiard tables, gunstocks. railway and other 

 carriages, parts of organs, pianos, &c. 



FOB MINE TIMBERS we will probably be well advised to confino 

 ourselves to the quicker growing Eucalypts. Most of the wood 

 used is only required to last seven to ten years, so that moderately 

 firm wood is quite suitable. After carefully enquiring what Is 

 required., and comparing the growth, &c., of the many kinds of 

 Gums now growing in Natal, we are of the opinion that the best 

 varieties for this purpose are E. saligna, E. globxalus, E. amygda- 

 lina, and E. tereticornis, the two former being best for com- 



