BUTTER-BOX SUPPLIES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 778, 30 March 1910, Page 10

BUTTER-BOX SUPPLIES.

QUEENSLAND PINE. An interesting report on the suitability of Queensland hoop pine for butter boxes' appears in the currant number of the Victorian'"Journal of Agriculture." It is estimated that there is about 3,000,000 feet of hoop pine ready to bo cut in. the State, wiiilo on forest reserves which will shortly be tapped by new. railways there is approximately 141,100,000 superficial feet. 3Vlr.' R. V. Billis, who makes the .report, says:— "Although tho suitability of hoop pino for butter box purposes appears to be now firmly established, I made some inquiries as to how it really compared in Queensland with the Now. Zealandgrown box. The'dairy expert, Mr. Graham, who is familiar 1 with both the New Zealand white pine- and tho hoop pine, informed me that lie preferred the latter. Tho New Zealand timber, he said, showed dirt inorequickly, and was more easily stained. Tho Queensland hoop pine ho found to be. of a closer grain, harder, and moro difficult to break. Very few complaints are received as to breakages of boxes mado from hoop pine. On the other hand, tho following passage is an ' extract from a lottor dated :Decomber 21, . 1909, by Sir John TavernerJ the Victorian Agent-General, 111.London: —'The general condition of this butter was faily {jood, but I found many boxes broken.'. Sir John Tavorner, of course,'refers to butter boxes made from Now Zealand timber. Tho hoop pine may be heavier than the New Zealand timber,- but -it is well within tho weight stipulated by the shipping companies. TIIO high prices and first prizes that Queensland butter lias won in England have perhaps, more than anything else, removed prejudice against the hoop pine boi." ■ >