June i, 1888.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
803 
proprietor of " Albion" estate noar flakgala, ought 
to be able soon to test the question as far as wat- 
tle cultivation at least is concerned. But what 
Mr. Rutherford and other writers advised and what 
" X. Y. Z." has questioned, is the propriety of planters 
growing timber and fuel trees on a portion of 
their own land for their own use, instead of 
trusting to possible outside supplies, when their 
own are exhausted. What the probabilities are 
of successful growth of timber and fuel trees at 
high elevations, we are able to indicate to 
some extent from our own experience, refer- 
ence to which, we trust, will be excused. Last 
year the old bungalow, at 4,800 feet eleva- 
tion on Abbotsford, had to be rebuilt and bluo 
gum trees of from 12 to 13 years old, were largely 
utilized for timber. The quality of this timber is 
excellent, provided time is available for thorough 
seasoning, so as to prevent the strong tendency 
to warping, especially when exposed to the sun. 
Mr. John Fraser who superintended the building 
of the bungalow and the cutting down of the trees 
needed for timber purposes, supplies the following 
figures for a blue gum which grew, amidst others, 
on a knoll near the bungalow and whioh certainly 
was under rather than over 13 years old, when 
cut down. The figures will enable engineers and 
meohanios to compute the large oubic contents in 
timber of this one tree : — The large blue gum 
tree was 103 feet high : (8 feet per annum 
for the whole period), but from the ground to 
the highest point, the height was probably 110 
feet. This tree (which wa9 exceptionally well 
grown) was 80 inches (6 feet 8 inches) in 
oiroumference at the base ; at 10 feet above 
the base, 03 inches (5 feet 3 inches) ; at 20 feet, 
58 inobes ; at 30 feet, 19 inches (or over 4 feet) ; 
at 40 feet, 42 inches ; and at 60 feet, 33 inohes. 
There was nothing exceptional in soil or exposure 
in this case, but as a general rule gum trees have 
a habit of tapering as they grow upwards, a habit 
which olose planting would probably cure. This 
tree shows what can be expected on an average for 
timber purposes, taking a ten years' period and 
considerably lower figures for measurements. — For 
timber purposes as well as for firewood, we should 
plant so close as 6 x 6 so as to allow for thinning 
out, while for firewood, coppicing (which the bluo 
gum bears well, the secondary growth being lux- 
uriant), could bo resorted to in the sixth or evon the 
lifth year. Grevillea robuUa is superior to blue 
gum in the quality of its timber and in its better 
mode of growth, — the trunk not tapering beyond 
the ordinary rate. We have not cut down any 
specimens of this tree, but we are satisfied that 
in the shape of lopped branches it will supply a good 
deal of firewood in its progress towards the timber 
yielding period. The largest of several 11 year 
old grevilleas which wo have cherished for seed- 
yielding (as yet with but slight results) is 60 
feet high, not bad, seeing that tho extrome height 
to which this troo attains in its native country, 
and when growing on the rich alluvials of rivers, 
is 100 feet. Our treo is ;"> feot 4 inches in circum- 
ference at tho base, and ns there is no special 
tapering, it is obvious that from such a tree a very 
appreciable nmount of timber could be obtained in 
tho shape of beams, planks, or cask staves. If any 
well-grown specimen of grevillea has boon cut down 
and utilized for timber in Ceylon, wo hope the 
results will bo published. Our grevillea has boon 
MQsNed in perpendicular and lateral growth by a 
specimen of tho Australian " Blackwood " (Acacia 
fMluROcfylm). No wonder if Mr. !'ra>;pr is in- 
clined to regard thin "wattle" as the best to 
cultivato whether for limber or fuel purposes. 
Tho maffl tret hui, in M ycuru, ittfltlMti a Might 
of 60 feet, and a ciroumforence of 6 feet 6 inches at 
tho base, with no special tapering in the stem. We 
have purposely italicised the main tree, because 
this main tree has had to care and provide suste- 
nance for sevon or eight subsidiary plants which 
sprung up from its roots (after the fashion of the 
wattles) and which are now themselves very respect- 
able looking and promising trees, straight and clean 
growing, in imitation of the parent tree, to which 
underground they are still attached. One, we be- 
lieve the largest, was recently cut down to make room 
for the building, but there are still at least half a 
dozen from 12 to 20 feet high, and with 
stems of good diameter. Had this handsome and 
well grown tree been treated from the first, so 
that the whole of its strength might have been 
concentrated in one stem (the subsidiary stems 
being removed as they appeared), we think our 
readers will justify our belief that the dimensions 
would have reached 100 feet in height and eight in 
circumference at the base. It is obvious that this 
valuable timber tree, with dark, ebony-like heart- 
wood, can be grown exclusively for timber, or 
entirely for firewood (the growth of subsidiary 
plants being enoouraged), or for both purposes, 
the finest specimens in a grove being reserved 
for timber. The history of our Abbotsford black- 
wood tree and its progeny is very curious. 
In 1874, we believe it was, that our good 
friend, Mr. Hector, then on Agrakande (?) sent 
us a present of a wine case filled with 
earth in which were growing Australian tree 
seedlings. The box was placed on the ground 
near one of the entrances to the old bungalow, 
and one " blackwood " plant was allowed to grow 
in situ. It made rapid growth, speedily splitting 
and destroying the box in which it began life, 
and producing progeny, early in its career. It 
may be now an interesting question whether the 
original tree and the subsidiary ones would not 
thrive better, if their root connection were severed 
and the seven or eight trees allowed to grow independ- 
ently? The results of experiments in this direc- 
tion would be interesting and probably valuable. 
Next in value to A. melanoxylon and perhaps 
its equal or even superior for firewood purposes 
is A. dealbata, the silver wattle, of which Mr. 
Kellow of Albion estato and Dr. Trimen in hi3 
report have spoken so highly. The roots of this 
tree, if uncovered, send up shoots from every pore, 
so that a dense grove is soon formed. Large 
specimens of this wattle afford good timber, but 
its ohief valuo seems to be for firewood, as it grows 
so donsoly and luxuriantly, coppicing also so readily. 
At elevations between 1,500 to 7,000 feet, we 
believe Cedrela toona will be a good tree for timber 
exclusively ; blue gum, Grevillea and blackwood 
trees for timber and firowood and the silver wattle 
for firewood exclusively. There are, however, other 
eucalypts which soom to do better at high elevations 
and in exposed positions than Eucalyptus globulus. 
From purchases and presonts we have on Abbots- 
ford from twenty to thirty different species of 
oucalyptUB, besides othor Australian trees, many 
of which wo are unablo to identify. Amongst our 
acquisitions are acacia trees of onornious growth, 
tho tondor flush of which is goldon or silvern, 
but no blossom has yet shown, and there is no 
tondency to send up shoots. Wo should much like 
to know what these truly magnificent trees aro, 
aa well as many others which are flourishing 
with us? One very handsomo uucalyut, with ouk- 
like (oliago is now bursting into blossom. Of 
our truo English oak. received from Mr. Cunning- 
bam of ttloncairn, fourteen yoars ago, wo have «l- 
ready given tin- mi. -i ;n n>m< -ii Im : L'l (<•• t ir.obr lin.li 
and i fuel i iughvd cirsumforcucu ul tbv 
