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THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 



THE USES OF AUSTRALIAN GUM TEEES. 



The forests of Australia are chiefly composed of Gum trees, or, as they are botanically 

 named, Eucalypti ; and so universal is their distribution, that there is scarcely a locality 

 where one or another of these kind of trees may not he found. There are many varieties of 

 them, differing very remarkably in their outward appearance, and also in their structure and 

 economical applications. The ordinary names by which some of them are popularly distin- 

 guished are sufficiently significant to lead to their identity by almost any observer, since 

 they embrace some obvious character or peculiarity of the tree itself. The Eed Gum is 

 known by the colour of its wood, the Blue Gum by the singular bluish-green of its foliage, 

 the Stringy Bark' describes its own appearance, and the Iron Bark is admirably named from 

 the thick and rugged bark, with deep longitudinal Assures, that are so strikingly developed 

 in this species. Some other Gum trees, possessing characters less marked by any prominent 

 feature, are distinguished with greater difficulty ; and, as the terms which have been applied 

 to them vary in different localities, they often lead to considerable misapprehension of the 

 qualities and. proper uses of the woods. The nature of Eucalyptine timbers is very various, 

 since some are tough and fibrous, and others hard and dense, and capable of sustaining extra- 

 ordinary weights. The Box, Bed Gum, and Iron Bark are exceedingly valuable for their 

 strength and durability ; and, in consequence, have been largely applied to numerous indus- 

 trial purposes, where these qualities are required. The Blue and "White Gums, and the 

 Stringy Bark are extensivelj r used in the erection of buildings, for the construction of pier 

 and bridges, and for ordinary fencing ; and other varieties have their special application in 

 the mechanical arts. In addition to these uses of our forest trees as timber, it is interesting 

 to know that every portion of them is highly valuable for the direct or remote products they 

 contain. The refuse of the trunk, which is rejected by the carpenter, is used as fuel ; indeed, 

 the Gum trees supply the greater portion of the fuel of the colony, and a charcoal which is 

 particularly adapted to the manipulations of the gold-assayer. The barks of many trees 

 abound with a powerful astringent principle, analogous to, and yet apparently differing from, 

 tannin that is employed in the preparation of leather, and renders this article equal to any in 

 the world. Others afford the material of a coarse fibre, which ingenuity may yet convert 

 into the manufacture of matting, or even paper. From a very large number there is secreted 

 a variety of Gum resins that seem admirably suited to numerous requirements in the useful 

 arts. Decoctions of the woods and barks exhibit a prospect of their being made subservient 

 as medicinal agents ; yet it is deserving of remark how little attention appears to have been 

 given by medical men to their uses. It is not improbable that some species may yield us 

 dyes, .but there is little reliable information to be obtained upon this subject. The leaves on 

 ordinary distillation give out a highly fragrant and abundant essential oil which has powerful 

 solvent properties over the most tenacious resins, and promises to be advantageous in the 

 preparation of excellent varnishes. From materials of indigenous production can be fur- 

 nished a variety of these compositions, ranging from the richest transparent rose colour to 

 almost perfect whiteness, and affording a hard varnish for the use of coachmakers and other 

 artisans that will probably succeed the importa tion of the high-priced articles of this nature 

 from Europe. The oil derived from Gum leaves is also adapted for general household con- 

 sumption, as the material of a brilliant light, burning in an ordinary kerosene lamp with a 

 whiteness and illuminating power far superior to the best American kerosene. It possesses 

 no dangerous explosive properties like naptha. It is destitute of any offensive smell, but 

 rather diffuses a pleasant aromatic odour throughout the apartment in which it is being 

 consumed. The cost of production is very moderate ; and, in fact, in the face of a war with 

 America, there are millions o£ acres in the colony covered wiih this prolific oil-bearing 

 vegetation, which, by a small expenditure of capital, will render Australia independent of 

 other countries for one great means of artificial light. The destructive distillation of the 

 wood and leaves is attended by other products yielding volatile spirits (wood naptha), which 

 is abundantly used in the arts, pyroligneous acid, tar and charcoal, and also a gaseous fluid 

 that has been employed in country towns of the colony for the purposes of street-illumination. 



"When the commonest timber trees of Australia indicate these various uses and products, 

 there is surely reason to hope that the practical tendencies of the age will lead to further 

 investigations and developments of our indigenous vegetable resources, and the profitable invest- 

 ment of labour and capital. Only three years ago the timber imported into this colony repre- 

 sented the enormous amount of three-quarters of a million sterling, while the population was 

 estimated at about a million souls. By the formation of railroads and increased facilities of 

 communication with the interior by the improvement and extension of ordinary roads, the 

 products of our gigantic forests may be rendered available, extensive employment afforded 

 to numerous classes of artisans in cutting and preparing the timber for use, and, at the same 

 time, large tracts of country will be opened up to agricultural occupation and settlement ; 

 indeed, I hope it is already in realisation. 



I hope this little narrative of the uses and capabilities of our Gum trees will not be unin- 



