72 J. H. MAIDEN. 



ability of the contents of many members of our forests for 

 their use. Accidentally a year or two ago it was discovered 

 that some inferior logs of the Tasmanian StriDgybark 

 (Eucalyptus obliqua), which had found their way to England 

 in spite of the vigilance of inspectors, made excellent wood- 

 pulp. Surely this unlooked for result is full of promise, for 

 we had looked upon wood-pulp as mainly the product of 

 certain genera of Coniferae not represented in our forests, 

 and our hope mainly rested upon the examination (not yet 

 undertaken) of the numerous species which go to form our 

 brusli forests. 



The subject is of sufficient importance for a chemist to 

 be detached for the special work of examining our timbers 

 for wood-pulp. If we have no chemist with the necessary 

 technical knowledge, one can be specially appointed from 

 an American, German or Norwegian wood-pulp factory, and 

 lie should be employed for this investigation alone, without 

 any other duties whatever. 



Only a few weeks ago the chairman of the Society of 

 Dyers and Colourists, read a paper on the German wood- 

 pulp industry before the members of the London section of 

 the society. He explained that, as ordinary spinning was 

 impossible owing to the shortness of the fibre, the wood 

 pulp was made into paper, which was then cut, rolled and 

 twisted into a thread. From this thread there were 

 manufactured tablecloths, hat-bands, carpets, suitings, 

 mats, and decorative articles. Three shillings' worth of 

 wood was worth £2 5s. as paper yarn and £7 10s. as 

 artificial silk. 



I shall be exceeding surprised if Australia, with her 

 indigenous timber wealth is to be excluded from this 

 valuable industry, and if pines of the genus Finns form 

 indispensable raw material, then the sooner we seriously 

 undertake the planting of our sandy coastal lands with 



