TASMANIAN TIMBER 253 



Kosewood, a heavy reddish close-grained timber used by 

 cabinet-makers. Dogwood is a small tree with a diameter 

 of about 12 inches, which is also a cabinet-makers' wood. 



The Tasmanian Oaks, or so-called oaks. She oak and 

 Bull oak are of great density and weight, and this great 

 weight is one of the objections to their use in wagon 

 building, where lightness is desirable. They are only 

 small trees 80 to 40 ft. in height and 6 to 16 inches in 

 diameter. The bull oak is much the heavier timber, 

 weighing about 54 Ibs. per cubic foot, whilst the she oak 

 weighs only about 41 Ibs. per cubic foot. 1 



Government inspection of Tasmanian eucalypti requires 

 that the timber be " free from all heartwood, sapwood, 

 shakes, gum veins, large or loose knots, and other 

 defects . . . All sleepers to be cut from matured and 

 sound living or ring barked trees, the logs of which are not 

 to be less than 2 ft. 6 inches in diameter, and the trees to be 

 felled during the period of the year between April 1st and 

 September 30th ... to be protected at the ends and 

 around same by a good coating of an antifriction or other 

 grease. . . . All sleepers to be allowed three months' 

 seasoning after being sawn and placed in the stack." 



From what has been said it will be obvious that splitting, 

 warping, and shrinking are the weak points in Eucalypti 

 timbers, and it would be well for the different Government 

 authorities to institute a proper system of seasoning, such 

 as is done with teak. 



Whether the same system would apply the author cannot 

 say, but, considering the large quantity of this timber now 

 sent to Great Britain and the great loss which this splitting 



1 There do not appear to be any real oaks in Tasmania, New 

 Zealand, or Australia. 



