On Colonial Timber Trees. 58 



pine {Pinus iniitis), and then the white pine (clear pine and 

 lumber) which is obtained from the Weymouth pine {Pinus 

 st/)-ohus). To this may be added, Pinus Rigida, as furnish- 

 ing a large proportion of the American pitch. 



The Oregon timber is chiefly obtained from Abies 

 Douglasii. When it is considered that the number of 

 species of the pine tribe amount to about 500, as Dr. Mueller 

 has informed me, it is not surprising that out of so large a 

 number, there are many others besides those mentioned 

 which will yield valuable timber. 



The species which are so much esteemed for their timber 

 should be largely cultivated, and experimental planting tried 

 with as many others as are found to be of robust habit and 

 suited to this climate. 



Before leaving this subject, it is well to mention that 

 there is no timber in any part of Australia, Tasmania, or 

 New Zealand, that can be effectually substituted for the 

 European and American fir and pine timber ; the Kaurie 

 pine (Dam^niara Australis) is perhaps the nearest. This 

 is a very useful and fine timber, and should be largely 

 planted if found to succeed here, as there is reason to believe 

 it will. The Huon pine is also good timber, but not so 

 strong in proportion to its weight. The Murray pine 

 {Frenela Verrucosa) I havenot alluded to, as it scarcely attains 

 sufficient dimensions to become ever a very valuable timber. 



To prevent the danger of fire in the pine plantations I 

 would suggest the planting of belts of poplars and willows 

 intersecting the pines. I do not think fire would pass 

 through them, and I am of opinion that they would not 

 readily burn, as they are generally very full of sap and 

 moisture.* 



It is, perhaps, not out of place to refer to the extra or- 

 dinaiy condensation of dew, which takes place with some 

 of these trees ; by the poplar, in particular, from its glazy 

 leaves hanging perpendicularly, the dew is attracted, con- 

 densed, and conducted to the earth. Gilbert White, in 

 his " History of Selborne," mentions this, and refers to a 

 pond surrounded by trees upon the top of a hill. He says 

 this pond was never dry, although other ponds in the neigh- 

 bourhood during dry summers were. I observed near 

 Melbourne, in the middle of summer last year, at night, 



* The robust kinds of Mesembryanthemum, if planted amongst the young 

 trees, would completely cover the ground, prevent the giowth of gratis and 

 scrub, and check the spread of fire. 



