CHAPTER XXVII. 



Trees Suitable for Cultivation in SoutK Australia, with their 

 Description, Soils upon which they Grow, Uses of Tiinber, 

 and Mode of Culture. 



The capabilities of this colony in regard to the growth and profitable 

 culture of exotic trees have not yet been clearly defined. The settlement 

 of the country is of course of too recent a date for much to have been 

 attempted in the introduction of trees from the forests of other parts of 

 the world ; yet more has been done in this way than may at the first 

 glance appear. And whUe the work of introduction goes on apace each 

 year, we have already such a number and variety of foreign species 

 acclimatised as are sufiicient to show us at least that our forests are 

 capable of being permanently and profitably improved with these. So 

 favorable are our soil and climate to some of the exotic trees that their 

 annual growth with us is in several cases about three times greater 

 than that which they attain in their natural state. Of course, this is 

 where they have been planted in specially suitable spots. 



The list which I am now about to give will embrace, besides those 

 trees indigenous to the colony which are worth cultivation for their 

 timber, only such exotics as are known to succeed well in our climate. 

 While the list will deal chiefly with what are generally looked upon as 

 forest trees, others, possessing ornamental attractions only, will also be 

 included so as to make the work as comprehensively useful as possible. 

 It must, however, at the same time be distinctly understood that the list 

 is not a complete one as regards the trees suitable for ornamental 

 planting in the colony, and that so far as trees of this class are'embraced, 

 it will deal only with such as are in most general request. The list will 

 be taken up alphabetically, in accordance with the botanic naines, and 

 each tree will be briefly described and information given in regard to 

 the soils and situations upon which it will grow, the economic uses of 

 its timber, and the manner in which it should be propagated. In one 

 or two cases a sketch showing a typical specimen will be given. 



Following ou.t this course, I begin with : — 



ACACIA DECTJEEENS.— riZH. 



This is the well-known black wattle tree, which yields one of the 

 tannic barks of commerce. According to Baron F. Von Mueller, the 

 bark produces from 18 to 33 per cent, of tannic acid. The tree is a 



