A Valuable Timber.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 123, 1 May 1883, Page 3

A Valuable Timber.

iioi »JS iSp^uiquifes se^on ioot'by^r WWhannaß'sy, b Ouratbr of ifeie Botanical Gardens, Melbourne, has just; forwarded, a yery interesting report to the Minister 'Sf^La'iids on '"the Catalpa, speciosa.,. This is" a. tree indigenous to North Anteric'a, and its durability and; the^ size to. which ifclittains fully entitle; it to the Veput&tion'it enjoys of being; one of jhe most valuable known to "Botanists. One of its peculiarities is itsj impervionsness^.tOiviomp, logs having; been known toflie m marshy ground for; a long series ofyeats. without being m»! juriously aflected^ For the construction; of bridges, railway sleepers, fences, the' timber of the-Gatalpa, which commonly; attains a height ot 50 feet before put-i ting out a bjaSch; and a diameter of 3ft; or 4ft, is jnyaluaWp," equalling, } if, r in-| dcccl, i^dbes hot surpass; the'iar-famedi jarrah of .Western Australia. In the; Melbourne Botanical Gardens the; 'growth of the rtrees haß . J been '■ Tather! slow, fact is no doubt due tolthe' poverty of the soil, for where the. sur-j rounding conditions have : be6h' favour-! able, the culture oi\he Catalpa has; been,: remarkably „ successful j ior; seed was introduced into; South Australia as late as 1878, trees; m the forest reserve of Wirrabarr, m; thajt-cglony ;have, m three/jearir, aU tamed a height of 18ft. ■