240 



FORESTRY IN VICTORIA. 



or tramways, would give heavy yields per acre of excellent 

 hardwood. From 4,500 feet upwards to 6,000 stunted Eucalypts 

 grow. 



(3) The Foothills, stretching from the Dividing Range north- 

 ward, and gradually falling to the plains, bear three valuable 

 species, E. sideroxylon, leucoxylon and heniifloia, which furnish 

 the best and most durable timber for engineering works ; they 

 obtain their best growth on shales and slates in narrow valleys 

 lying between hill ranges of ironstone, sandstone and quartzite 

 in the auriferous belt of country. 



(4) The River Basins of the Murray and other streams flowing 

 through the northern plain, bear broad belts of river red gum 

 {E. rostrata) which is perhaps the most useful hardwood in the 

 State. It grows best on land which is subject to annual inunda- 

 tion. The total area of forest of this class is estimated at 625 

 square miles. 



3. Area of Forests and Other Lands. 



Agricultural Land 



Forest, Merchantable . 

 Forest, Unprofitable . 



Forest, total . 

 Other land 



Total Area 



Square Miles. 



43,750 



4,687 

 7,813 



12,500 

 31,634 



87,884 



Per cent, of 

 Total Area. 



49-9 



5-3 



14-1 

 36-0 



100-0 



4. Ownership of the Forests. 



The State timber forests . 

 Other State forests . 



Total . 

 Corporation forests . 

 Private Proprietors' forests 



Total . 



1 Per cent, of 



Square Miles. Total Forest Area. 



6,500 

 5,500 



12,000 

 188 

 312 



12,500 



52 

 44 



96 

 1-5 



2-5 



100-0 



