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Timber. —This is so well known to people in the coastal districts of the State 
that it would almost seem unnecessary to describe its appearance. It is our principal 
cheap softwood, taking the place of the Deal of Europe for packing-cases and other 
rough purposes. It is strong and durable when dry, and lasts well for such purposes 
as punt-bottoms when kept constantly wet, but it will not stand being kept alter¬ 
nately wet and dry. I have been told that the lining of the roof of the cathedral at 
Armidalc, fixed nearly sixty years ago, is as sound as the day it was put in. It is 
extensively used for flooring and lining boards, and for the various purposes to 
which softwoods are usually put. It is apt to get of a dirty colour with age. 
Most planks of Colonial Pine show more or less of what may he compared to 
a bird’s-eye maple figure ; in fact, the presence of these markings is a ready 
diagnostic test of the timber, as a rule. In selected planks they are very numerous, 
and bring this wood into the category of ornamental timbers. Selected Colonial 
Pino of this character looks really well when made up into bedroom furniture, 
linen presses, &c. A piece of Colonial Pine was thus described in the report of the 
London International Exhibition of 1862 :—A noble specimen, which is remarkable 
for the peculiar figure set up, by a series of remote, small, pea-shaped, pale, clouded 
knots, arranged in quincunx order, somewhat like drops of rain in general effect, 
and not easily described.” 
It does not seem to be generally known how excellent a material for carving 
this wood is. It is, of course, somewhat brittle, but when seasoned this is reduced 
to a minimum. I had in my keeping a large carved bracket of Acanthus leaves in 
Colonial Pine, and it showed no trace of warping. 
Colonial Pine used at one time to be in great request for spars for ships, as 
it was readily obtainable in lengths from 80 to 100 feet, but it is rather brittle for 
this purpose. 
Mr. S. H. Barraclough, B.C.E., has kindly made for me the following abstract 
of Professor Warren’s experimental results with this timber:— 
The following strengths and coefficients are, in each case, the average of the results obtained from 
testing six or more specimens :— 
The weight per cubic foot is 38 lb., while the shrinkage and loss of weight for approximately 1,100 
clays are 5'6 per cent, and 3T6 per cent, respectively. 
When tested transversely the modulus of rupture was found to be 9,136 lb. per square inch, and 
the modulus of elasticity 1,915,800 lb. per square inch. 
The breaking strength per square inch in tension was 15,095 lb., and the shearing strength 1,376 lb. 
The compression strength varies with the ratio of length of test piece to the dimensions of its cross 
section, as exhibited in the accompanying table:— 
Ratio— l, length ; d, side of square ... 
4 : 1 
8 : 1 
16 : 1 
Breaking load ... .... 
4,875 
5,511 
5,337 
Modulus of elasticity ... 
954,147 
1,312,800 
... 
