13 



meritorious timbers to offer tLem. It is of a handsome colour, and worts 

 up well. It may be recommended for large turned work, and for heavy 

 furniture. It is useful for weather-boards. 



Distribution. — North coast districts. 



Quantity available. — ^Fairly plentiful, though not so readily accessible as 

 formerly, owing to the great demand for it. 



(b) Grey Gum (JE!ucalypfus propinqua,T>&a.n& etMaL^&o..') 



Name. — Because of the dull grey appearance of the bark. The bark has 

 a roughish appearance, in contradistinction to a smooth and even shiny one, 

 possessed by so many of our gums. It has smooth white patches in places, 

 caused by the outer layer of bark falling off. These white patches in their 

 turn become grey, and the process of exfoliation of the bark is repeated until 

 probably the whole of the bark on the trunk is shed at one time or another. 

 Although rather difficult to properly describe, the bark of the grey gum is so 

 characteristic, that when once pointed out, it could not be confused with the 

 bark of any other hardwood tree. 



Characteristics. — It is so much like ironbark in appearance that it is difficult 

 to discriminate between the two timbers. That will be the best guide to its 

 appearance. An expert would usually detect the substitution for ironbark 

 (if he suspected any substitution), by noting that a chip of grey gum is more 

 brittle than that of ironbark. It also cuts less horny. Nevertheless, the two 

 timbers are wonderfully alike, and for many purposes grey gum is an 

 efficient substitute for ironbark, for it is remarkably durable. Its inferior 

 strength, as compared with ironbark, precludes its use as girders of any 

 length, and when substituted for ironbark in sleepers, the bolts and spikes 

 work loose in them. I would encourage its use in every possible way for 

 wood-blocks. The chief objectors to its use at the present time are the saw- 

 millers themselves, as the logs often contain gum-scabs or gum-veins. At 

 present, where unblemished timber is insisted upon for wood-blocks, a saw- 

 miller cannot afford to cut up grey gum (although it frequently turns out 

 unblemishedl , because of the risk of having it condemned. I have spoken 

 on this subject in connection with bloodwood (see page IG), and would 

 emphasise the opinion that wood-blocks should not be condemned because 

 they contain a few gum-scabs or veins. Such excess of care practically leads 

 to gre-at waste of really valuable timber. 



Principal uses. — Eecommended for paving-blocks, as already stated. It 

 is in high repute for posts, having excellent records when employed in this 

 very trying situation. I have seen it used for felloes and for shingles. It 

 is very largely used as an ironbark substitute for railway sleepers, &c., which 

 fact is in itself testimony to its excellence. 



Distribution. — Northern coast districts. 



Quantity available. — Plentiful. 



(c) Murray Red gum {Eucalyptus rostrata, Schlecht.) 



(Au illustrated article descriptive of this timber will be found in the Agriculhiral Gazette 



for February, 1893.) 



Name. — This is the red gum par excellence of the Colonies of New South 

 Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. The term " gum" is applied in 

 Australia to those species of Eucalyptus which have smooth barks. This is 

 called " red gum", because it has a red timber. I propose the name " Murray 

 red gum" for it, as it is abundant on the river of that name, and to avoid 

 confusion with the closely -related " forest red gum." 



