H.—24

38

Blue-gum (Eucalyptus globulus). Timber well known, but varies greatly according to soil and situation. Jarrah-gum (Eucalyptus marginata). Famed for its indestructible wood, and also known as the mahogany-tree. It is valuable for very heavy structures, bridges, and railway-sleepers, &c. Regarding this timber, I would draw your attention to the general opinion of experts —that it effectually resists the attacks of the toredo. During a visit to Port Chalmers lately I had occasion to observe repairs being made on one of the piers, and found that it was jarrah that had been so badly affected by this worm. Several of the workmen engaged there assured me that the value of this timber was much exaggerated. Red-gum (Eucalyptus rostrata). This timber is one of the most highly esteemed in all Australia, being heavy, hard, strong, and durable, even underground or in water. Used in the construction of bridges. Broad-leaved Ironbark (Eucalyptus siderophlla). The most valuable wood for -piles, girders, and railway-sleepers, and for every purpose for which strength and durability are required. Sugar-gum (Eucalyptus corynocalyx). The wood is remarbably heavy, very dense, hard, and strong. In great request as fence-posts, railway-sleepers, naves, and felloes. Giant Eucalypt (Eucalyptus amyg). Timber is very useful for many kinds of carpenters' work. In drying it does not twist. Yields a very much larger percentage of oil than any other variety. Karra-gum (Eucalyptus diversicolour). It is very hardy, and grows comparatively quickly. The wood is light-coloured, bends freely, straight-grained, and is tough. Stringy-bark (Eucalyptus obliqua). Very valuable timber-tree. Rapid in growth. You will observe I have not included in the foregoing list such trees as Sequoia gigantica, Pinus msiqnis, Gupressus macrocarpa, and many others, as their timbers are known to be of little value except as firewood. I need not enter into the details of forest management as applicable to this colony, but will mention a few of the most important matters, such as the collecting of such seeds as are procurable in the colony, the various methods of packing seeds from abroad to insure successful germination on arrival, a point I have given attention to for many years. This is especially applicable to such seeds as English beech, maples, cork-oaks, limes, &c, none of which will carry successfully packed as ordinary seeds. The establishment of nurseries in suitable positions for the propagation of trees is a most important matter, much more so than is generally supposed. The first points to be considered are soil and situation. The soil must be variable, from heavy clay to fairly light loam. The situation must be somewhat exposed, but not liable to cutting winds, which do more harm to young nursery stock than heavy frost. Some ten years since I had occasion to extend my own nursery to a much more exposed situation than formerly, and I was much chaffed by even experienced men for trying to bring into working-order poor, heavy clay-land in such an exposed position. However, I have lived to see the advantages of the change, and, though trees make less top-growth than in good soil and in sheltered localities, they have the advantage of their roots being very fibrous, and therefore thrive better when planted out, and, even when transplanted to exposed situations, show the smallest percentage of loss. Another point in connection with nursery management, and a most important one in regard to expenditure, is the laying-out of " breaks," so that the whole property can be worked by the plough. On the 10 acres I refer to a spade is never used except to raise trees; even in the lining-out of seedling plants the plough turns up a couple of furrows against each row. By this method six men, with the aid of a plough, can line out on an average twelve thousand trees at 12in. apart in a day of eight hours. The area for nursery grounds should be of considerable extent, to allow the rotation of crops, as no soil will continue to produce healthy trees year after year without a change of culture. The method I adopt is to manure heavily every third season, and take off a crop of oats, clover, or rye in time for autumn planting. These are but a few of the various methods connected with nursery management, but I must not trespass further on your time. Encouragement should be given, with a view to stimulate private planting in some of the treeless districts, by supplying trees at a nominal cost, and also by the advice and direction of a competent man in the employ of the Forestry Department. In conclusion, let me say that before planting operations are commenced a thoroughly well-considered scheme must be adopted, plans and estimates of the various works proposed operating upon made, or failure will be the result. Part ll. — Felling, Seasoning, Conversion, Exportation, and By-products. Felling Timber. —Considerable diversity of opinion exists as to the proper season for felling timber in New Zealand. European trees being mostly deciduous, their period of rest is marked by the fall of leaf in autumn, after which trees may be felled until spring growth begins, But New