Proposed Coniferae plantations

The following notes were read on the proposed planting of coniferae in Tasmania : By Baron Ferd. Von Mueller, F.R.S., K.C.M.G.:—" With much pleasure, dear Mr. Morton, I respond to the request of the Royal Society of Tasmania, as moved by your distinguished Fellow, Mr. R. M. Johnston, and supported by the Hon. N. J Brown, that I should, along with our able friend. Mr. Abbott, give my opinion on the advisability of growing the Pinus silvestris on a commercial and industrial scale in Tasmania.
Your island is undoubtedly particularly well fitted on account of its generally cool climate for the rearing of this pine, as compared to most other regions of Australia. Moreover, in your lowlands the growth will be of more celerity than in Britain, and the same remark applies, of course, to the larch and other trees mentioned at the Royal Society's last meeting. But, as besides the red deal, also the timber of the European white deal (from Pinus pirla) is much imported here, that species, as well as the leading lumber pines of North America, would deserve attention for forestral purposes in Tasmania also, thus particularly Pinus strobus, P. douglasii, P. lambertiana ; nor should the vast timber pines of the Himalayas be lost sight of, such for instance as the Pinus deodara and P. excelsa. Several other species of prominent timber value are mentioned in my work on ' Select plants for industrial culture and naturalisation, with notes as to their respective properties.'