PROCEEDINGS, JULY. Xili 
JULY, 1893. 
The monthly meeting of the Royal Society was held at the Museum 
on July 11. Sir Lambert Dobson presided, and there was a fair 
attendance of Fellews, together with a number of ladies. Mr. G, EB. 
Spencer was elected a Fellow. 
CORRESPONDENCE, 
A communication was received from Mr. James Barnard, Vice-presi- 
dent, offering for the Society’s acceptance a likeness of the late Captain 
Montague, a former Colonial Secretary prior to the introduction of 
responsible government, who was eminent as a statesman and high- 
minded English gentleman, and who was instrumental in advancing the 
prosperity of the colony during his official career, Mr. Barnard said 
he believed the portrait to be unique, not having heard of a similar 
copy being in the possession of any resident in the island. 
The letter and portrait were laid on the table amid applause. 
PROPOSED INTRODUCTION OF SOFT WOOD TREES, 
A letter from Mr, A. Harley to the Secretary was read, in which the 
writer asked for an opinion concerning the introduction into the colony 
of soft wood trees, such as the Baltic Pine, Oregon Pine (North 
America), and Kauri Pine (New Zealand), but especially the Baltic 
Pine, according to the latitudes of the countries where they grow 
nearly corresponding with ours, they should thrive well here. ‘The 
idea originated from noticing a tree (a species of fir) growing in the 
grounds adjoining St. George’s Church, and near the entrance to the 
Sunday-school. It is over 9ft. in circumference, and has not been 
there quite 30 years, so that I consider if it had heen attended to when 
young with the object of producing timber (by topping off the branches), 
instead of for ornament, it would have been much longer and thicker 
at the butt. Baltic pines are imported into Tasmania in the shape of 
deals, apple cases, and spars for vessels; a spar from 4in. to Gin. in 
diameter sells at about ls. per running foot, and larger ones at increasing 
prices, and often they are not obtainable at any price, although pre- 
ferable to other woods on account of its lightness. In England the 
spars are cut into lengths, and used for the supports for the roofs of 
coal mines. They might be grown here, and introduced into such places 
as Broken Hill for the same purpose, as our colonial timber is not used 
there on account of its weight, and consequent heavy freight on the 
railways, Oregon pine being preferred, I believe the Baltic pine would 
be fit for small spars a few years after planting out. Some seeds of the 
trees mentioned might be introduced, and a trial on a small scale made 
perhaps in a few private gardens, where they could be tended, to see 
whether it would be advisable to cultivate on a larger scale.” 
Hon. C. H. Grant, M.L.C., said he thought the prices stated rather 
exaggerated. Baltic spars had arrived here, and were difficult to 
dispose of. He had known them almost given away, and did not think, 
with the writer, that there was a great demand for them. The spars 
greatly used by our builders were cut out of the bush. The growth of 
Baltic timber here would not be remunerative for that purpose, nor for 
timber. It would be a Jong time before forest trees would be advanced 
sufficiently for building purposes, therefore there was not much encour- 
agement for anyone to start on their own account. It might be well 
for the Government to try them as an experiment on the waste lands for 
the benefit of futurity. A better timber to plant would be the larch, 
which was more valuable in every respect, being useful for sleepers and 
other purposes, for which Baltic timber was far inferior. 
