THE USES OF GUM TREES.

Otago Witness, Issue 537, 15 March 1862, Page 7

THE USES OF GUM TREES.

(From the Yeoman.) The forests of Victoria are chiefly composed of the gum trees, or, as they are botauicilly named " eucalypti,'' and so universal is their distribution that there is scarcely a locality v here one or another, these lands of trees may not be found. There are many varieties of them, differing very remarkably in their outward appearance, and also in their structure and economical applications. The ordinary names by which some of thorn are popularly distinguished are sufficiently significant to lead to their identity by almost any obsei \ er, fcince they embrace &oine obvious character or peoulhrity of the tree inself. The redgum is known by the color of its wood; the red-gum is kuown by the singular blueish green of its foliage; the btriu^y bark describes its own appearance ; and the iron -b irk i.s admirably named from the thick and rugged bark, with, deep longitudinal fissure's, that are so strikingly developed in this species. Some other gum trues, possessing characters less marked by any proiuineut feature, are distinguished with greater difficulty ; and as the terms which have been applied to them vary in different localities, and often lea I to considerable misapprehension of the qualities and proper uses of the woods.

The nature of eucalyptine timbers is very various, since some are tough and fibrous, and others hard and dense, aud capable of sustaining extraordinary weights. The box, red-gum, aud iron-bark are exceedingly valuable for their strength aud durability, and in consequeuee have been applied to numerous industrial purposes, where these qualities are required. The blue aud white gums and the stringy bark are extensively used in the erection of buildings, for the construction of piers and bridges, and Tor ordinary fencing ; and other vnrities have their special applications in the mechanical arts.

In addition to these uses of our forest trees as timber, it is interesting to know that every portion of them is highly valuable for the direct or remote products they contain. The refuse of the trunk, which is rejected by the carpenter, is used as fuel ; indeed the gum-trees supply the greater portion of the fuel of the colony, and a charcoal which is particularly adapted to the manipulations of the gold-assayer. The barks of many trees abound with a powerful astringent principle, analogous to and yet apparently differing from tounin, that is employed in the preparation of leather, and renders this article equal to any iv the world. Others afford the material of a coarse fibre, which ingenuity may yet convert into the manufacture of matting or even paper. From a very large number there is secreted a variety of gum resins that seem admirably suited to numerous requirements in the useful arts. Decoctions of the woods and barks exhibit a prospect of their beiugmade subservient a? medicinal agents; yet it is deserving of remark how little attention appeara to have been given by medical men to their use. It is not improbable that some species may yield us dyes, but there is little reliable information to be obtained upon this subject. The leaves, on ordinary distillation, give out a highly fragrant and abundant essential oil, which has powerful solveut properties over the most tenacious resins, and promises to be advantageous in the preparation of excellent varnishes. From materials of indigenous production can be furnished a variety of these compositions, ranging from the richest transparent rose color, to almost perfect whiteness, and affording a hard varnish for the use of coachmakers and other artisans, that will probably supersede the importation of the high-priced articles of tliis nature from Europe. The oil derived from gum leaves is also adapted for general household consumption, as the material of a brilliant light, burning in an ordinary kerosene lamp, with a -whiteness and illuminating power far superior to the best American kerosine. It possesses no dangerous explosive properties like napthn; it is destitute ot any offensive smell, but rather diffuses a pleasant aromatic odour throughout the apartment in which it is being consumed. The cost ot production is very moderate; and in the face of a war with America, there arc millions of acres in the colony covered with this prolific oil-bearing vegetation, which, by a small expenditure of capital, will render Victoria independent of other countries for one great means of artifical light. The destructive distillation of the wood and leaves is attended by other products, yielding a volatile spirit (wood naptha), which is abundantly used in the arts, pyroligneous acid, tar, charcoal, and also a gaseous fluid that lias been employed in some of the country towns of she colony for the purposes of street illumination.

When the commonest timber trees of Victoria indicate these various uses and products, there is surely reason to hope that the practical tendencies of the age will lead to further investigations and development of our indigenous vegetable resources, and the proiitable investment of labour and capital. Only three years ago, the timber imported into this colony represented the enormous amount of three-quarters of a million sterling, wldle the population numbered about half-a-milhon souls. By the formation of railroads, and increased faculties of communication with the interior, by the improvement and extension of ordinary road 9, the products of our own gigantic forests may be rendered available, extensive employment afforded to numerous classes of artizans, in cutting and preparing the timber for use ; and at the same tune large tracts of country will be opened up to agricultural occupation and settlement.

LoooaioiiVES on Woodes Tramways.— The Lady Barkly, i&e locomotive engine, the property of Mr. Davi3, ofMount Doran, proves in every way efficient, and the-vrooden tramway answers ite purpose very well. The engine has now made 22,700 trips on the twelve chains of tramway laid down, yet the wear is not in the slightest degree perceptible. This traffic is estimated as equal to ten .years probable work when the railway is formally opened.— Ballarat Tribune, 10th -Feb. —£....,