176 Ni:W SOUTH WALES. 



particularly prickly-leaved tea-tree {M. stypJiel toidcs , Sm.) is not excelled 

 in durability by any other timber we have, but its excessive hardness, 

 and its great tendency to shrink irregularly are against it. The water 

 gum (Tristania laurina, R.Br.) makes perhaps the best mauls o£ any 

 timber we have, while for axe and tool handles it is unapproached save 

 by spotted gum. The rough-barked species of apple {AiKjophora) yield 

 useful timber for the naves of wheels, for bullock-yokes and for fuel. 



The turpentine {Syncarpia laurifoUa, Ten.) prefers the shaded 

 gullies of our coast and mountain districts. It is one of the most 

 umbrageous and handsome trees we have, and deserves conservation, 

 and extensive planting for ornamental purposes. Its name suggests 

 inflammability, but it is really one of our timbers most difficult to 

 ignite, hence it is used for joists and pillars in buildings. With the 

 bark on it is one of the best timbers (perhaps the best timber), we 

 have to Avithstand the attacks of Cobra in sea-water. Between the 

 fibrous bark and the sap-wood is a layer of oleo-resin (known as 

 " turpentine" in the vernacular), and the immunity of this timber to 

 destruction by various pests is attributed to this substance. Cobra is 

 very much more active in brackish than in pure sea-water, and tur- 

 pentine is not absolutely resistant to Cobra in brackish water. Of my 

 own knowledge I do not know any timber that is— jarrah certainly is 

 not, and I would much like to pit a pile of British Guiana greenheart 

 (Nectandra) against one each of prickly tea-tree, turpentine, jarrah, 

 and New Zealand totara at, say Kempsey, in this Colony. 



The brush box {Tristania conferta, R. Br.) is another umbrageous 

 tree, — one of the best we have for street planting in the coast dis- 

 tricts from the Illawarra northwards. It yields a very durable timber, 

 which is universally used in the north coast forests for tram-rails for 

 haulage of the logs to the mill. It is not cut by the iron-wheels, 

 while it becomes polished by the traction. It is one of the most 

 perfectly durable timbers we have for wood-blocks. Like most of the 

 timbers of its class, it warps and twists if cut at the wrong season, 

 but I have seen inch boards of it exposed to the atmosphere without 

 warping, and, in view of its pre-eminent merit as a resistant to wear 

 and to attacks by fungus and insect pests, I feel that it is desirable 

 that more attention should be given to the proper season for felling it. 

 I look upon it as one of our timbers whose merits Avill be recognised 

 in the near future. 



Wood-2')ovwg. 



This subject being of such great practical importance at the present 

 time, both as regards our local demand and the export trade, I may 

 mention the following timbers as of well ascertained suitability for the 

 purpose. 



Pale Ilardivoods. — Blackbutt, tallow-wood, whitemahog" any, spotted 

 gum. 



Bed Hardwoods. — Red mahogany, grey gum, Murray red gum, forest 

 red gum, Sydney blue gum, woollybutt, bloodwood. 



In addition to the above, turpentine and brush-box are worthy of 

 extended trial, particularly the latter, which is especially wear-resisting. 

 For further information the reader is referred to the remarks under 

 each timber. 



