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In the dry areas it is found in depressions or on creek-banks, in any place where 
water lodges or sometimes flows. In the interior of the various States the occasions 
on which the Red Gum is in the vicinity of water may be few and far between. 
The Murray River Plats are subject-to floods, rendering the Red Gum forests 
unsuitable for agricultural purposes. 
Murray Forests. -Mr. J. Stead Parry, Inspector and District Forester, 
Deniliquin, at my instigation kindly furnished the following particulars about these 
Red Gum Forests : 
The most important Red Gum forests on the Murray and Edwards Rivers, both in regard to quality 
and quantity of timber, and in area are the following : 
Millewa State Forest 51 ,350 acres. 
Moira State Forest 30463 
Gulpa Island State Forest 13376 
Bama State Forest 5,530 
Perricoota State Forest 39,000 
Koondrook State Forest ... ... .. ^. ... 39,700 
Campbell's Island State Forest ,. 10,800 
Werai and Colimo State Forest ... 23,750 
Total Forest Area 213,969 acres. 
The above forests are in all stages of growth from seedlings and saplings to matured trees. 
In addition to these we have a number of small reserves, some of which are carrying very useful 
timber; others again, are important, not so much for their timber stand and value as for their situation. 
The predominating timber on the Murray and Edwards' Reserves is the Murray Red Gum (Eucalyptus 
rostrala), which grows on the low-lying country that is subject to inundation from the overflow of the rivers. 
The best, most vigorous in growth and the cleanest timber is usually found on land that is annually flooded 
for a period of from four to six months ; providing the subsoil and drainage is good. The soil is chiefly a 
grey loam over a good stiff clay subsoil. 
Situation in relation to transport and market. 
The river is navigable for from six to seven months in normal years ; and log timber is mostly cut 
in the months from December to May inclusive ; and hauled to landings or depots on the river bank; when 
the river is navigable it is removed by steamers and barges to the sawjnills ; the principal mills being on 
the banks of the Murray. Piles, girders and railway sleepers are also removed in this way to the nearest 
wharf for loading on to railway trucks. When logs are being brought down stream they are loaded on what 
are termed " outrigger barges," the logs being secured at both ends to transverse outriggers. When the 
barges are loaded they are allowed to drift down stream ; and are later picked up by the steamers and 
towed to the mills. Logs that are brought up stream are loaded into inside barges and towed up by paddle 
steamer. Loading stations for transit by rail are at Echuca and Koondrook, Victoria, and Moama and 
Mathoura, New South Wales. 
Timber Stand, 
The present average timber stand per acre is : 
(a) Timber suitable for sawmilling purposes 2,285 superficial feet per acre. 
(b) Suitable for sleeper hewing and fencing material 2,454 superficial feet per acre. 
(c) Maturing in ten years 3,386 superficial feet per acre. 
(d) Piles The number of piles cannot be definitely stated, except by plot or strip survey by a com- 
petent man experienced in this class of timber ; but it is estimated that on Perricoota and 
Koondrook Reserve alone, there are now 18,000 piles of 40 to 80 feet in length. 
