294 TROPICAL AGRICULTURE 



100 feet long. The tree is peculiarly free from defects of any 

 kind. The kauri pine is the most important timber tree in 

 New Zealand. The tree often reaches a diameter of 15 feet 

 at the base. The lumber is extensively exported to Europe 

 and is used for all kinds of building purposes, flooring, siding, 

 paneling, doors, etc. 



Karri (Eucalyptus versicolor) and jarrah (E. marginata) , 

 both native of Western Australia, attain such great size that 

 huge planks of unusual width can be obtained from them. The 

 wood is dark red, heavy, and hard. It is resistant to teredo 

 and hence has been much used as piling. Karri and jarrah 

 woods are also employed for paving blocks and heavy struc- 

 tural work. The Australian Government made a large exhibit 

 of these woods at the Portland Exposition for the purpose of 

 calling attention to their value and usefulness for various pur- 

 poses. 



Eucalyptus has been extensively planted in California where 

 it was introduced in 1856. These trees are native of Australia, 

 about 150 species being known. Of this number 75 species or 

 more have been grown in California, but 90 per cent, of the 

 eucalyptus in that State is blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus). 

 Eucalyptus wood is used in California for fuel, piling, poles, 

 railroad crossties, mine timbers, paving blocks, furniture, coop- 

 erage, tool handles, and for many other purposes. The 

 strength and durability of the wood are quite satisfactory. 

 The chief disadvantage of eucalyptus wood is that it warps 

 and checks badly in the seasoning. 



Sandalwood is obtained from Santalum album of India and 

 Malaya and from related species which occur in Fiji, Hawaii, 

 and elsewhere. These trees furnish the yellow or white san- 

 dal wood of commerce. In the early days of the Hawaiian 

 Monarchy, the demand for this wood was so great that the 

 tree was practically exterminated in the Territory. The san- 

 dalwood now has to be obtained from other sources in India 

 and Malaya. It is used in inlaid work and for boxes, chests, 



