Thia and the red (broad-leaved) ironbark may very well go together, as 

 the timbers have much in common. They are of a deep red colour, of about 

 equal hardness, and are really valuable timbers, although inferior to the best 

 white or grey ironbark. 



Distribution. — The narrow-leaved ironbark occurs principally on the 

 eastern side of the Dividing Eange, but at least as far south as Jervis Bay. 

 It is common about Richmond, Wellington, also Dubbo to Narrabri. It is 

 widely diffused, and a number of other localities could be given. 



The Broad-leaved Ironbark {Eucalyptus sideropMoia, Benth.) 



Perhaps this is the most distinctive name for this species, a characteristic 

 by which it may be readily distinguished, particularly in young trees. It is 

 often called " red ironbark," particularly from northern localities. This iron- 

 bark from the Clarence and further north is apt to shell and split on 

 exposure, and hence is not liked for engineering purposes. As a general 

 rule it is a really fine ironbark. It resembles the previous one in quality of 

 timber. 



Distribution. — Broad-leaved ironbark occurs from the Clyde Mountains, 

 in the south, along the coast ranges, to Queensland. Westward it is found 

 as far as Wellington and Dubbo, also at Mudgee. Mr. Deane informs me 

 that, with JE. crebra, it is found from Dubbo to the north-western line. 



Red Ironbark (Eucalyptus sideroxylon, A. Cunn.) 



The wood of this is the deepest in colour, and also the softest and least 

 valuable of the ironbarks. The tree is often pipy and gnarled, but in some 

 placesC e.g., the Mudgee district) it is a fine timber-tree. Where one of 

 the other ironbarks is available, this ironbark suffers by comparison ; never- 

 theless, it is a useful timber, and is employed in public works for such pur- 

 poses as railway sleepers and posts, where long lengths are unnecessary. 

 J'requently good lengths cannot be obtained, and if they could, the tensile 

 strength of this timber is not equal to that of the best ironbark. 



Sometimes it is called " Mugga," and it has been regarded with unrea- 

 soning prejudice, instead of being judged on its merits. To call any timber 

 by such a name as " Mugga" is to inflict an irreparable injury upon it. 



Distribution. — Eed ironbark is found principally in the auriferous districts 

 ef the western and south-western interior. It is generally found on poor, 

 sterile ranges, and is usually unaccompanied by any other species of 

 ironbark. , 



I have dealt with the question of distribution in speaking of individual 

 ironbarks. But as regards the coast ironbarks, the most important 

 Commercially, it may be pointed out that they and spotted gum often grow 

 •together. The principal localities on the south coast are Bermagui, 

 lied Head, Wagonga, Moruya, and the Clyde Elver. On the north coast we 

 have Wyong, Ourimbah, Blue Gum Flat, Port Stephens, Cape Hawke, 

 Manning River, Camden Haven, Port Macquarie, and so on to the Tweed. 



Quantity available. — In spite of the reckless extravagance with which this 

 timber has been cut, it is by no means scarce, especially in some localities, 

 a few miles from the coast. While it is a very slow-growing tree, there 

 is some consolation in the fact that It usually grows In barren, rocky country, 

 unsuitable for agriculture, and therefore wholesale clearings are not made 

 as is the case with many other timbers. At the same time it does not 

 readily reafforest. 



