EUCALYPTUS TEEES. 71 



real age of the larger trees, which are sinking daily 

 under our axes, often sacrificed unnecessarily. On 

 this occasion, as an apt one, I may, then, explain 

 that a period of a quarter or even half a century must 

 elapse before a solid plank, hardened by age, can be 

 obtained from even a rapid-growing Eucalyptus-tree. 

 It is estimated to require twenty to twenty-flve years 

 before even a sleeper of Blue Gum- wood can be obtain- 

 ed from a tree planted in ordinary soil ; and that 

 double the time will elapse before a sown'tree of the 

 still more durable Red Gum Eucalyptus will furnish 

 sleepers, such as hitherto have been in use for our 

 railway works. But a supply of fuel from these trees 

 may be obtained much earlier. Mr. Adam Anderson, 

 a timber merchant of this city, concurs in this esti- 

 mate. 



Yet for forest operations we enjoy here advantages 

 of tyo-fold kind, for which in middle Europe we are 

 justly envied. We can disseminate quickly-growing 

 Eucalyptus-trees in the most arid districts ; we can 

 add to them, as a first shelter, many of the native 

 Casuarinas and Acacias, and thus gain cover for less 

 hardy trees of other countries. On the other hand, 

 we find in the moist and rich valleys of our ranges a 

 vast extent of space, where, under the mild influence 

 of the clime, sub-tropic trees could be reared million- 

 fold ; where, for instance, whole forests of the E.ed 

 Cedar might be originated. Besides, we do not stand 

 at any disadvantage if we want to raise a belt of sea- 

 coast Pines all along the shores, or if we wish to rear 

 the Norway Spruce, or Silver Fir, or Larch, or Wey- 

 mouth Fir, or the Douglas Pine, or any of the Pitch- 

 pines of North America ^ because yfe can call forth, if 



