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AUSTRALASIA. 



The areas under forest, compared with the total areas of 

 the several colonies, have been estimated as follows : — 



Area of Forests in Australasia. 



As regards Western Australia, the area given is that 

 containing timber of commercial value. The colony has, 

 besides, about 120,000 square miles of scrub jungle. 



Considering the configuration and climate of Australia, 

 there can be no doubt that the country requires forests to act 

 as shelter against hot winds, to reduce the excessive evapora- 

 tion of moisture, the violence of floods and the occurrence 

 of erosion. This holds good more especially as regards 

 Victoria and New South Wales. Moreover, woodlands 

 improve the landscape and frequently the healthiness of 

 the country. All the local authorities seem agreed upon 

 these points. 



As regards the direct effects of the forests, it may be 

 mentioned that large quantities of wood are required for 

 domestic purposes, fencing, mining operations, railways and 

 other public works. Coal in any great quantities is, ap- 

 parently, found only in New South Wales. 



Although considerable quantities of timber are exported, 

 the imports of conifers are so large that the balance of 



