48 



2. luclination to sijlit. 



It does not split any more than Blackbutt, and not as much as Sydney Blue 

 Gum {E. saligna). We think that increased attention should be given to the 

 proper period for felling Spotted Gum, i.e., it should not be cut when the sap 

 is vip. 



3. Liability to attack by White Ants. 



Diversity of opinion exists in regard to this, but we are of opinion the dura- 

 bility of Spotted Gum is equal to that of the average colonial timbers as 

 regards white ants, and superior to that of Ironbarlc and Blackbutt, to which 

 they are very partial. 



4. Great thickness of worthless Sapwood. 



The sapwood of Spotted Gum decays most rapidly of all the sapwcwds of the 

 best timbers, and perhaps even of those of all hardwoods whatsoever. It is 

 ; utterly worthless, and has contributed a good deal to the pre.1udice which 

 exists in some quarters in regard to Spotted Gum. The sapwood should be 

 removed with the greatest care. The sapwood readilj^ crumbles to a line powder 

 through the operations of the larva of a small beetle (Lyctus ininneus), but 

 these insects confine their attention to the sapwood. Because of the similarity 

 of the sap to the other part of the timber, and because of the worthlessness of 

 the former, the inspection of Spotted Gum demands especial care on the part 

 of the inspector of timber. 



We consider that it is especially unsuited for telegraph ^poles and piles, 

 inasmuch as saplings of the size required for such purposes carry an inordinate 

 proportion of sapwood, which is of a peculiarly perishable nature. 



Spotted Gum should be cut from mature trees, and should be free from sap 

 and heart-wood. It also should be well seasoned. 



5. rresence of Gum-veins. 



The timber is often deteriorated by the presence of gum- veins, and ■ we 

 ■recommend the timber to be " as free of gum-veins as can be procured."' 



Minimum Girth for Felling. 



The regulations of the Forest Department preclude the cutting of Spotted 

 Gum trees less than 6 feet in girth, measured 5 feet from the ground. 



In our opinion this regulation concerning minimum girth should be strictly 

 enforced, and, if possible, should be extended to 7 ft. 6 in. 



Size. — The Spotted Gum is not usually more than 60 to 100 feet high, 

 and with a stem diameter of more than 4 feet. Larger trees are, however, 

 .not phenomenal. 



Mr. M. Ryan, of Little Mill, Cullendulla, writes to the Eveninij News, 

 ISth June, 1895 :— 



About IJ miles from my residence there stands, in Casey's Gully, an enor- 

 . mous Spotted Gum, said to be largest on the South Coast. Those who have 

 compared it with one on Mr. Higgins's selection, 14 miles distant, give the 

 palm to that in Casey's Gully. Its circumference at the base is 44 ft. 1 in. ; 

 about 5 feet from the ground it measures 40 ft. 3 in. It scarcely tapers from 

 that to the first limb, which projects at a height of 75 feet. The tree is about 

 100 feet high. 



Another South Coast tree (Bateman's Bay) was examined by Mr. Forester 

 Allan. It was 90 to 100 feet to the first limb, girth at 5 feet, 25 feet, and 

 ■even up to 18 feet at first limb. The average was 21 feet for whole barrel. 



Habitat. — Until a few years ago the Spotted Gum was believed to be 

 Confined to New South Wales and Queensland. Mr. A. W. Howitt, how- 

 ever, received a specimen from Mr. J. H. King, showing that it occurs on 

 the eastern slope of a spur from the Tarra Mountain, on the track from 

 Buchan to Orbost; Gippsland, "Victoria, and about 15 miles from the former 

 place, where it forms a small compact colony of a feW' acres in extent. 



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