136 On the Strength, Durability, and Value 
posed to the air for about the same time, I have found to stand equal 
to Oak. I have remarked when I have had a tree cut up which had 
been killed standing, that it required a much less time for seasoning, 
and would not check or fly in the sun as it would had it been cut up 
in a green state. I have no doubt if the trees were killed in the 
month of May and left standing for six months, then felled and cut 
into plank or log, and put in the water for three months, that the’ 
timber would be equal to any in the world. Fine crooks for rising 
floors, keel-knees, and breast-hooks for the largest ships built, could 
be obtained of this Gum. In all my experience in repairs of Colo- 
nial-built vessels, I have never observed any appearance of dry rot. 
For masts and spars, trees can be procured in sufficient lengths and 
sizes for the largest vessels built: but I cannot recommend them for 
this purpose on account of their weight, except in cases where pine 
could not be procured. The Ash Gum is to be preferred for masts, 
&c., not being so liable to rents as the White, nor is it so heavy as the 
Blue Gum. The Lightwood, though obtainable in large quantities, 
is far less plentifulthan Gum. It grows to about the size and length 
of English Oak, and is a valuable wood for the finishing work of a 
vessel, as it may be used a few months after being cut: it will not 
shrink, and gets very hard when seasoned, although an easy wood 
towork. It is well adapted for bulwarks, combings, capstans, trussel 
trees, cheeks, and caps for ships of largest dimensions; and for the 
above purpeses I consider it a very durable wood. Fine crooks can 
be obtained of it. 
“The Huon or Macquarie Harbour Pine can be used for any pur- 
pose about a ship. When seasoned, it becomes much harder than 
the Baltic or American Pine. I have never seen an instance of 
decay init. In repairing a vessel twelve years old, built almost 
entirely of it, which I had occasion to open, the timbers and plank 
appeared as fresh as when first putin. It is an excellent wood for 
boat-building, being much tougher than any other Pine I have 
seen. Not having been at the part of the Island where it grows, I 
cannot say to what extent it is to be procured; but I understand 
from persons who have been there, that there is a great quantity about 
Macquarie Harbour, and that fine spars and crooks could be readily 
obtained there. It can be got about 30 feet long by 2 to 3 feet 
diameter. 
