19 
predominant branch probably extended to one or other side, and, being played on by the prevailing wind, 
caused the young stem to become twisted to some extent. Later such a branch may have died and 
disappeared. The explanation offered seems to be favoured by the fact that contiguous trees are often 
twisted in opposite directions.—( Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., 27 May, 1908.) 
R. Kaleski, Liverpool, N.S.W., 15th April, 1908:— 
(1) That the twist is first caused by the young plant striving to shelter itself from too much sun¬ 
light by twisting from it, or vice versd ; (2) that when a sapling, and becoming exposed to the winds by 
reason of its higher growth, it will twist if left unsheltered. The twist varies in different timbers ; 90 per 
cent, of the Gums, for instance, twist from left to right ; Apple and Siringybark, growing in between them 
on the same ridge will twist (about 70 per cent.) from right to left. Again, I have on my place, at mouths 
of gullies (very windy), trees in which the grain is so alternately left and right that they could be split into 
short lengths, with a little chopping, easier than sawing. They are mostly Blackbutts, which twist like 
the Gum. When I say the plant sheltering itself from too much sun, I should really have said the trunk 
sap. The sap, on ascending, will not burn by going up spirally, as there is always a cool (south) side. Have 
never noticed twisty-grained trees in sheltered pockets (free from sun and wind) ; have always noticed 
them on exposed ridges. 
D. G. Munro, Trangie, Western Plains, 17th April, 1908 
I have found that about 40 per cent, of the Pine trees have a wind in the grain. Some wind to the 
right, and others to the left. In choosing a tree for the purpose of splitting up into posts, I have found 
that a left-hand twist will split fairly easy, and sometimes fairly straight. But a right-hand twist is quite 
useless for splitting posts, being very tough to split, and the posts are always windy, &c. Box and Gum 
that grow in this district, I think about 90 per cent., have a twist in the grain, some to the left and some 
to the right, both twists being quite useless for splitting purposes. 
SUPPLEMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHIC ILLUSTRATIONS. 
Hauling Pine (Araucaria Cunninghamiana ) on a timber waggon. Notice the solid wood 
wheels.—(Kerry, photo.) 
A Ringbarked Forest, N.S.W. The trees have been destroyed for grass.—(Kerry, photo.) 
Bringing in big logs to Wyong Sawmills. Bullock traction is common in the timber districts 
of New South Wales. Notice the temporary log bridge.—(F. A. Kirton, photo.) 
Axemen’s Carnival, Wyong. These competitions are now common in all the States. Logs 
of Eucalyptus timber are usually selected.—(F. A. Kirton, photo.) 
