54 ' On Colonial Timber Trees. 



almond trees condensing the dew so fast that it was dripping 

 from the leaves. 



In selecting sites for planting, attention should be paid to 

 the soil and situation, as most trees have some peculiarity. 

 Pines do not like a wet substratum, whilst ash, elm, and 

 oak will flourish in it. In the county of Kent (England) 

 my father planted a large tract of poor, chalky hill-side with 

 larch and Scotch fir ; they had been planted about fifteen 

 years when I left, holes were opened, and the young trees 

 planted without any preparation of the soil ; the larch grew 

 rapidly and were making fine trees, but the Scotch firs did 

 not succeed. So it will be here ; one species of tree will 

 thrive whilst another will die by its side, and yet both 

 species may grow well in difierent situations and difi'erent 

 composition of soil. I am of opinion that a certain amount 

 of drainage is necessary before any young trees can be 

 established. When, once established, the trees will not 

 suffer so much from a wet subsoil. 



Cedars and Cypresses grow freely, but the timber differs 

 in value according to the variety or species. 



Although this paper is scarcely intended to include the 

 various causes of decay and deterioration of timber, it may 

 not be thought out of place, perhaps, to mention that I 

 believe there is no timber in this colony exempt from the 

 attack of the teredo, nor of the white ant. The red gum is 

 attacked in its growing state by the termites or white ants, 

 as may be seen when the trees are cut. Frequently the 

 heart of a tree is completely eaten out ; but I am not sure 

 that the heart had not partially decayed previously to the 

 attack. I have not known any sound, seasoned red gum 

 attacked by the white ant; not so with pine and deal. 

 Near Melbourne I have observed pine and deal attacked by 

 the white ant and completely destroyed ; the whole of the 

 inside eaten, leaving nothing but a thin outside shell. I 

 think it will be found that many of the wooden houses 

 around Melbourne will be so destroyed, and when the Avhite 

 ants begin they do not stop, but commence at the founda.- 

 tion and eat up to the roof 



The teredo is also very destructive, especially in Hobson's 

 Bay. I cannot speak positively to any attack upon red 

 gum, but I have observed English oak completely destroyed 

 as well as blue gum and most other woods ; and I have 

 no reason to believe red gum to be in any degree exempt 

 from its attacks. 



