TIMBER IN TASMANIA. 29 



think, if properly carried out, it would be, might be 

 struck with its appearance ; and in these dajs of 

 unlimited Limited companies, which float far less legiti- 

 mate projects, they might inaugurate a boom in your 

 timber market which would be as welcome, as it is, to 

 all appearance, badly wanted at the present time. 



I cannot lay too great stress upon the absolute neces- 

 sity of all the timber, particularly that intended for the 

 European and English markets, being cut at the proper 

 time when the sap is down, and seasoned for at least six 

 months before exportation. The seasoning applies prin- 

 cipally to boards, planks, sleepers, and small scantling 

 generally. I can assure exporters, from a long personal 

 experience, that there is not the slightest use in sending 

 unseasoned scantlings of Tasmanian timber to England. 

 It would arrive there warped, cracked, and disfigured,, 

 and would have no chance against the enormous quantity 

 of really good wood with which it would have to com- 

 pete. There are two methods by which seasoning may 

 be accomplished, either naturally or artificially, but, I 

 think every man practically acquainted with timber, will 

 agree with me that the natural process is by far the 

 more beneficial, not only as regards the appearance of 

 the wood, but its strength, which has been proved to be 

 greatly increased by proper seasoning, and lengthens its 

 life nearly 100 per cent. 



You will perceive that in the foregoing observations 

 I have only spoken of Blue-gum and Stringy-bark. My 

 reasons for so doing are — 



1st. That I have had more experience with these 

 two descriptions; and 



2nd. Because I believe that they are likely to be the 

 principal woods which, from the large supply you have 

 of them, and their peculiar characteristics in length, 

 dimensions, and durability, are the most likely to be able 

 to compete against other timber in English or European 

 markets. You have in your Huon Pine, Blackwood, 

 Myrtle, and other woods (principally used for the manu- 

 facture of furniture), timber, which for beauty and 

 solidity cannot easily be surpassed ; but I do not think 

 that they could hold their own in English markets 



