428 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Juxx, 1902. 
that timber than in anything else, and it requires no tillage, no looking after. 
Can anything be done to perpetuate the annual crop? Most certainly it can 
be done. It is done in every country in Europe. It has been done for a time 
in Queensland, and so simple is the process that the wonder is that owners of 
soft-timbered lands have rarely thought of it. 
I have already stated that the cedar increases in diameter by 2 inches 
every three years. It will top the scrub at 10 or 12 inches. Hoop-pine 
increases at the rate of about 1 inch in diameter annually. The Kauri will have 
finished its height growth when 12 inches in diameter, increasing subsequently 
by from 2 to 3 inches in diameter annually. Now, any intelligent timber- 
getter knows that timber is of little value commercially until it has reached 
maturity. The Kauri does not attain maturity until it reaches a diameter of 
from 40 to 50 inches, when it is at its best, the timber being more durable and 
less liable to flaws. It is then most profitable to all parties concerned, except 
the saw-miller. A. cedar-tree may be legally cut when it has attained a circum- 
ference of not less than 7 feet 6 inches—that is, 2 feet 6 inches in diameter 
at 6 feetfrom the ground. Now, suppose that every tree under these dimensions 
is allowed to grow, say, to 4 feet in diameter, a tree 3 feet in diameter 60 feet 
high will give 3,644 superficial feet, but at 4 feet diameter it will yield 
6,480 feet, and at 5 feet the measurement would reach 10,124 feet. Now, here 
we haye a very simple method of keeping up a regular annual supply. Let all 
saplings and everything under 8 feet in diameter stand. At the end of five 
or nine years, according to the timber, go over the same ground again and take 
out all above the dimensions named. By working on this plan there would be 
timber for all time. At the same time planting might be resorted to both by 
the Forestry Department and by private individuals. If ten trees only are cut- 
. on an acre producing 100,000 feet, at only 5s. per 100 feet, there is an income 
- of £250, and with cedar at £1, I leave it to others to say: Is not such a 
valuable asset worth looking after ? 
T have, I fear, dwelt too long on the subject of the timber resources of 
the district, but the matter is of such paramount importance that I think it 
but right to discuss it. I much regretted that J was unable to remain longer 
in the district and pay a visit to Lake Eacham and the Crater. The former is 
a fine sheet of water of great depth, but destitute, I was told, of fish, I 
observed that there were no fish in any of the mountain streams I crossed. 
As these streams are permanent, always cold and abounding in miniature 
waterfalls and rapids, they would be admirably adapted for trout, dace, roach, 
grayling, and other European fish. The Fish Acclimatisation Society at Killarney 
might with advantage turn their attention to the stocking of these waters 
with trout. TI would suggest to Mr. Ward, artist to the Queenslander, who is a 
successful breeder of trout, carp, and perch, that he forward some quantities 
~ of them to the Cairns district. As he has already successfully established 
some hundreds of carp in the waters of Stradbroke Island, he would probably 
be equally successful with that fish in the Atherton Lakes. I understand 
that he is also importing roach, dace, and tench. These should all do well, the 
roach and tench in the lakes, and the dace in the running streams. 
On my return to Cairns I stopped at Kamerunga State Nursery, which 
is under the charge of Mr. Howard Newport, Instructor in Coffee Culture. 
Here there is many an object lesson for the tropical agriculturist. Amongst other 
acclimatised plants I was shown a small plantation of Para and Ceara rubber- 
trees. These seem to have taken very kindly to the soil and climate. The 
smallest are about 15 feet in height, and the largest were being tapped at the 
time of my visit. Incisions were made in the bark, and clay cups fastened 
’ beneath the incisions, into which the milky rubber flowed. ‘hen there was an 
’ avenue of Divi-divi trees laden with pods. © They were beginning to ripen, and 
the soil beneath the trees had been swept clean to receive them as they fell. 
The Bread-fruit, Jack-fruit, and Durien were all bearing well. <A grove of 
Manila hemp plants (Musatectilis), easily to be mistaken for the ordinary fruiting 
‘ banana, is ready for manufacture. Some time ago I received a sample of fibre 
from Cairns, and sent it to England, where it was valued at £30 per ton. 
