Hikx,, 1900,] 
asec is about nine or ten years. Catalpa ties have not been tried to any 
dL teen although a sample which was put in the track fifteen years ago was: 
1 Y temoyved and found to be in a fair state of preservation as far as decay 
Reeazed, but was considerably cut and worn by the action of the rail. It 
thd ‘ nan average but 1 cent per tree to set the 50,000 acres, this expense 
ng preparing the ground, cultivating the same, and building a considerable 
fencing, in addition to the cost and transportation of the trees them- 
—Lngincering News. 
| Walt © particular tree here alluded to is probably Catalpa bignonioides,, 
: Muelle’ 0 the Southern States of North America, of which the late Baron yon 
a Says in his work on “ Select Extra-Tropical Plants” :— : 
j ou ke tree of rapid growth, in warm humid climates attaining a height of 
tiametor 
QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. — 221. 
~ 7 ‘res, 
gy the clime of Nebraska, as recorded by Governor Furnas, considerably 
Stem 
| 2a : : , 2 : 
| Ry Most any soil and position, according to Mr. Barney. It is hardier than most — 
| is 
Me, ¢ 
| itdeg 1 considers the wood to be as durable as that of the best chestnut-trees ; 
{i the ’ : 
if sunt Nothing like it for posts. Catalpa pickets of the old French Stockade 
i? 
| Senerations ; railway posts and platforms of this wood are almost 
= || ate et decayed (Barney). Railway cross-ties (sleepers) made of this wood 
1 ties, tu durable, a tree twenty years old furnishing sufficient timber for four 
Chip, @tdier and taller species is also mentioned by Baron von Mueller—the 
& t,4 SPectosa. The growth of this tree is as rapid, and the wood is as durable, 
toy, OF ©. bignoniordes; it has only a thin layer of destructible sapwood. In 
| Ue ees) lt was found to have attained a stem circumference of 40 feet at 
. epaxt 
be 
hi, oretted that the great Victorian botanist did not state specifically whether 
|p tant 
|. Rabies” Point, however, which could soon be decided by importing a log and 
| ee FORESTRY IN SOUTH AFRICA. 
1 Seat x of the members of the first Queensland Contingent who are now at the 
| lesoa War, in South Africa, have mentioned, in letters to their friends, the. 
mp de Ne appearance of the country on the line of march from Capetown to 
89) mil and also towards Kimberley. One writer says that he has travelled 
thing yo nothward from Capetown to the Orange River, seeing scarcely any 
| Aly, Orthy of the name of a tree on the whole journey. De Aar (he says) is. 
| be at, almost surrounded by flat-topped and conical kopjes; and where 
| Mth a rounded, the country extends for miles in an unbroken plain, covered 
‘itl aaa Karoo bush—a stunted growth, similar to saltbush in appearance, 
pi fattening to sheep, but “striking our men from the Downs or 
Wo pent Sugar districts as weird and awful desert.” Another says :—‘‘So far, 
Sen, the hot been much impressed with this colony ; but, of course, we have only. 
Wthe desert. The railway line passes right through the Great Karoo, and,. 
Beat on has been very dry, there is not much to be seen but rocky hills,. 
Tetches of sandy waste with small saltbush shrubs on it.” 
a TE py bi gS Se kl ih ae LAE te 
