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and humid valleys in the neighbourhood of Cape Leeuwin, the 
second on the ironstone ranges of the coastal region of the State. 
The sheaoak, or Casuarina, of our sandy soils is also used with 
satisfactory results for kegs and the smaller casks. 
Amongst other timbers which have been used in Australia for 
coopering work are: The silver wattle of South-East Australia 
and Tasmania (Acacia dealbata), well spoken of by Mr. J. D. 
Lankester, of Ettamogah, Albury. The silky oak (Grevillea 
robusta), which gives an elastic and durable wood, valued particu- 
larly for staves of casks. Mr. Th. Hardy, of South Australia, re- 
ports having placed shavings of this wood in light wines for several 
months without affecting their taste or colour in any way. 
The white beech (Gmelina Leickhardtii) of East Australia, 
which supplies a wood of shining paleness, not liable to rend. Mr. 
John Wyndham, of Dalwood, Hunter River, spoke well of this 
wood, which shrinks but little. Mr. E. Wyndham, of Buckalla, 
Inverell, considers it suitable for large storing casks, but its soft- 
ness unfits it for the smaller casks in which wine is sent to market. 
The blackwood (Acacia Melanoxylon) of South-East Australia 
is also used for casks, but requires previous seasoning and long 
soaking. The wood bends readily under steam, and does not warp 
and twist. 
The Tasmanian myrtle: a close-grained timber, making a good 
surface. This timber has been used for shipping wine by some 
of the Rutherglen vinegrowers, who say that it does not impart 
any foreign flavour to the wine. 
The kauri pine (Dammara Australis) of the North Island of 
New Zealand supplies an excellent straight-grained timber, excellent 
for vats, and sometimes used for heads of strong casks, but requires 
thorough seasoning to extract the resinous extracts, which give a 
mawkish taste to the wine stored in them. 
Size of Casks. 
The size of casks used for shipping wine differs according to 
the different producing countries, thus:— 
Extreme size. Contents. 
Port wine pipe eee .. O58in.x34in. ... 113 gallons 
33 hogshead ... .. 87in.x 30in. ... 564 gallons 
Sherry butt... des .. 650in. x35in. ... 108 gallons 
a hogshead_..... .. 88in.x28in. ... 544 gallons 
Marsala pipe ... no .. 65in.x32in. ... 91 gallons 
35 hogshead... .. 4lin.x25in. ... 454 gallons 
Brandy pipe ... ae .. 62in.x34in. ... 104 gallons 
- hogshead_... .. «40in.x28in. ... 57h gallons 
Rum puncheon aie .. 42in.x36in. ... 91 gallons 
Claret hogshead dis .. 86in.x34in. ... 50. gallinns 
