68 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Jaw., 1898. 
adiameter of 50 inches. Subsequently. the regulations were amended, and 
cedar-trees may now be cut having a circumference of not less than 7 feet 
6 inches at 6 feet from the ground. The minimum diameter at which kauri 
pine may be cut is fixed at 2 feet, and that of hoop pine at 21 inches 5 feet from 
the ground. 
The kauri pine makes little wood until it has shot up so as to top the 
rest of the scrub. If the other timber in the scrub be short, so will be the 
kauri; on the other hand, if the surrounding scrub be high, the kauri will 
likewise be lofty; and it is in the latter description of scrubs that the best 
timber is obtained. Now, by the time a kauri sapling is 12 inches in diameter, 
it has done all its upward growth. From this period the yearly growth is from 
5 to 9inches in circumference. Instances have been known, and can be verified, 
of an annual growth of 12} inches in circumference; but, of course, a great 
deal depends upon the seasons—a warm rainy season being the most favourable. 
This rate of growth is maintained pretty evenly, until the tree reaches from 
40 to 50 inches in diameter, when the growth slackens off, but does not cease. 
The kauri, at this time, seems to have attained maturity, the timber being more 
durable, less liable to flaws, and far more profitable for all parties concerned in 
its working, except the saw-miller.* 
The hoop pine increases at the rate of #-inch per annum,f and will top the 
scrub at a diameter of 10 inches, thus following the example of the kauri in 
seeking the light before increasing in diameter. As to the value of the hoop 
pine, considered as building material, I have good authority for stating that at 
12 inches diameter it is a good sound timber, and will stand any wear that 
eould be expected of pine timber. 
The cedar makes three growths, equivalent to an increased diameter of 
2 inches every three years. 
Now to apply these figures. To cut the kauri pine on its attaining a 
diameter of less than 8 feet is a most disastrous policy, as the following figures 
(which can easily be verified by anyone accustomed to timber measurements) 
will show :— 
Taking the length of a tree at GO feet and considering the circumference 
as three times the diameter for practical purposes, we find that such a tree at— 
Diameter. Circumference. Side of Square. Superficial 
Inches, Inches. Inches. Feet. 
20 60 = £15 willyield ... 1,124 
24, TO —paaeal Bale aa eee G20 
36 108 = 27 ry . 3,644 
48. 144 = 36 cy) «. 6,480 
60 180 = 45 ry) we §=10,124 
66 198 = 49,50, ... 12,124 
Thus a tree, which at 2 feet diameter would yield 1,620 superficial feet of 
timber, would, if allowed to grow five years longer, yield 3,644 feet, or, in 
other words, it would be worth over double the money; and if allowed to grow 
for ten years, would yield exactly four times the amount of timber which a 
diameter of 2 feet would yield. On the first supposition, or say that a tree 
requires six years to increase from 2 feet in diameter to a diameter of 8 feet, 
we have a direct gain of 125 per cent., equivalent to 21 percent. per annum. 
Tn a less degree, the above will apply to hoop pine and cedar, 
with the timber trade, and with the kauri pine in particular. ‘ 
+The trees measured by Mr. Pettigrew increased at the rate of 1 inch per,annum, 
* This is the opinion of Mr. Luya (Mayor of South Brisbane), who has a lengthened experience 
