Principal Uses. —Ironbark is the king of New South Wales hardwoods—in 
fact, it is not excelled in any part of the continent for combined strength and 
durability. It is extensively used in bridge-construction, for railway sleepers, for 
posts, for naves, spokes, shafts, and framing by the waggon and carriage-builder; 
for large, beams in buildings, particularly in stores for heavy goods—in a word, 
wherever great strength is required. For such purposes as railway sleepers it will 
last an indefinite period, and in many cases has to be taken up, not because it shows 
signs of decay from exposure on the permanent-way, or disintegrating because of the 
vibration to which it has been subjected, but because holes have been made in the 
sleeper by the renewal of holts and spikes. I have seen specimens of sleepers which 
have borne the heaviest traffic of the main line near Sydney for twenty-five years, 
and which are as sound as the day they were laid. 
Coming to the particular Ironbark of which we are speaking, the timber has 
the highest reputation for strength and durability, and is used for large beams in 
stores for heavy goods, railway sleepers, and other purposes where great strength is 
required. It is also used for dray poles. Its extreme hardness renders it difficult 
to work. It is largely used for spokes. 
Following are specimens of this timber in the Technological Museum, 
interesting because of the notes in regard to them. Notes half a century old and 
more in regard to Ironbarks which can be botanically determined now, are rare. 
(1) No. 4, London Cat., 1802; 137, Paris Cat., 1855. “Broad-leaved Rough 
Ironbark,” and “ Terri-barri,” names in Cumberland and Camden. Diameter, 24 to 
48 inches ; height, 80 to 120 feet. “ From Appin, common in Cumberland ; one of 
the strongest and most durable of timbers.” The Paris Cat. also states: “Rough- 
leaved, rougli-barked Ironbark.” “ This tree has been proposed as their emblem by 
the colonists of New South Wales.” Of a very dark colour, very good to work, and 
even in grain. (2) “ Ironbark of the Clarence ”—“ Algerega ” of the aborigines. 
“ This well-known tree attains a very large size in the northern districts—upwards 
of 100 feet in height, and as much as 5 feet in diameter. Timber very highly valued 
for its unequalled strength and durability ; it is used for all kinds of fencing, 
shingles, beams, dray poles, plough beams, and various other purposes; when 
properly seasoned it will not shrink.” ( Cat. London Exh., 1802.) It is of a dark- 
brown colour, heavy, hard, and close in the grain. (3) The wood described in the 
Sydney Mint Experiments, 1860, as “ Rougli-barked Ironbark, E. resinifera ,” is 
E. siderophloia. It came from Brisbane, and “ is much prized for building and 
other purposes.” Specific gravity, FI5 ; value of E., 630,400 ; of S., 2,962. It has 
a wavy grain, and is of a dark, reddish-brown colour. It is tough, hard to work, and 
well adapted for the felloes of wheels of drays and carts of all sorts. It lasts well 
for piles in water, and for posts. It is very heavy. 
The Ironbark of the Clarence is not liked as compared with southern Ironbark, 
as it is inclined to split and shell. 
