XI 



hold was obtained. One mixed or inferior shipment would have a 

 most damaging effect ; might, indeed, put Tasmania out of the market 

 for a generation, for no man had such a long memory as a deceived 

 business man. The intrinsic merits of Tasmanian timber would shortly 

 win for it a position in the home markets if they were not clouded and 

 hidden by the ignorance and carelessness, or worse, of millers and 

 exporters. Let millers either ring or fell at the right sea^oD, classify 

 their logs, honestly grade their planks, and beyond this not only 

 submit to but court and demand the most rigid independent inspection 

 and marking — then not only would the Derwent from New Norfolk to 

 the sea be thickly dotted with vessels bringing timber to regular lines 

 of ships crowding the wharves of flobart, but the sound of the axe 

 and the hum of the saw would be heard throughout the island, A 

 vast opening existed for our timbers in England, France, Spain, 

 Portugal, Italy, and the Cape. He described in detail the method of 

 preparing for market Baltic deals, the wood at present in competition 

 with Tasmanian hardwood for paving blocks. The trees were felled 

 when the sap was down, and they were sorted for size ; butt lengths 

 of large trees were set apart for first quality, small butts for second, 

 and tops for third and fourth qualities. 0n being sawn, the planks 

 were again examined and sorted before leaving the mill. At the port 

 of shipment the timber was closely examined for size, catting, and 

 quality, the deals going forth to the world as first, second, third, or 

 fourth quality, according to the classification adopted at the particular 

 port of shipment. In Norway and Sweden numerous marks were used 

 to denote each quality, so that the London builder finding "Jansen's" 

 cutting suitable, naturally inquired for his trade mark when next in 

 the market. Builders did not use deals promiscuously, but chose one 

 mark for framing door?, another for studding, house and warehouse 

 floors, each having marks considered most suitable. At other Baltic 

 ports, sworn officers marked timber and other produce as first, 

 second, and inferior. Unmerchantable qualities were not allowed to 

 be exported to bring the port into discredit in distant lands. These 

 marks were so well and faithfully applied that merchants would buy 

 on the mark alone, and the value of the marked timber was as well 

 established as the price of gold. By the lettering of the mark the 

 purchaser could pick out stacks coming from particular districts near 

 certain ports of shipment, having found by experience that the timber 

 wanted was there produced, Satisfying himself by inspection that 

 the standard of excellence he had so long known was still maintained, 

 he went with confidence either to make an offer for the shipment or to 

 bid for lots at the next auction. Not a deal, plank, or batten was sent 

 to market without being plainly branded on the end with marks 

 denoting where it came from, and its quality. The European exporter 

 Knew that only by the strictest honesty of classification could he gain 

 the confidence of the market and full prices. In these days of keen 

 competition the difference of a small percentage in the selling price 

 meant the difference between an assured competence and ruin. At 

 present England was looking for new sources of timber supply. 

 Australasia was anxiously seeking an outlet for her superabundant 

 resources. To retain her advantage, he suggested that Tasmania 

 should see: — " (1) That all timber be rung or felled when the sap is 

 down. (2) One colour should be chosen for branding Tasmanian timber. 

 (3) That every millowner register a set of marks, a separate mark for 

 each quality of each timber that he saws, and mark each piece that 

 leaves his mill, it being more important to mark bad qualities 'bad' 

 than good ones ' good.' (4) That all registered marks be properly 

 protected. (5) To collect and make public the fullest information 

 concerning the marks and qualities of our timbers generally, giving 

 equal prominence to the merits and defects of both the species of 



