The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-28
HE'SIN AUSTRALIA
f. D. Faulkner Studying Tree
Question for Santa Fe.
Tells of His Observations in
Japan.
STUDIES EUCALYPTUS.
Also Other Timber That May Be
Used for Ties.
May Be Grown in Southern
Texas Country.

The following is from the Brisbane
Courier of Queensland, Australia, I'M
der date of Dec. Is:
Mr.. E o. Faulkner manager of the
tie and timber department of the At
Gibson, Topeka and Santa Fee Railway
system, U. S. A, arrived in Brisbane
yesterday from the east by the steam
er Humane Maru. The object of his
visit is of interest to Australia. Mr..
Faulkner is endeavoring to secure
all information possible relative to
the planting and growth of Australian
hardwoods. with the object of insti-
tuting an extensive system of affores-
trat1on with those trees in America.
1--WE have $500 miles Of track in
our railway SYSTEM said Mr.. Faux
ner in the course of an interview
Starting from Chicago one stem ends
at Denver, the other at. Garrison, in
Texas, and another at Ell Paso, while
another crosses the continent to San
Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Die
go. We have lots of timber in Amer
lea along the Pacific coast, but it is
pine, and with our very heavy rolling
stock we are in want of hardwoods,
particularly for ties or sleepers. We
can already see the time ahead when
1t will be much more difficult to get
sleepers than it is now. This prob
lem has led to several Of the big rail-
way systems of America making in
vestigations as to the planting and
growth of suitable trees for hard
wood, and what trees are most likely
to do well in the country we have
available in the United States. We
have quite a large area in California
which is very similar in climate to
parts of Australia, and trees of the
eucalyptus family grow there very
successfully. Our attention has been
,-oo tod 70 &c oil 90
we have some Australian hardwood
sleepers in our track now. These are
showing very excellent qualities.
"a couple of years ago I became
possessed of work upon the 'Mer-
charitable Timbers of Queensland,
from which I obtained some very val
liable information indeed and I was
led to write and make further in
quiries of the railway officials in the
various states of Australia. Mr.. Pa
gan, chief engineer for railways,
Queensland, was good enough to have
a special report prepared. and sent to
our chief officials at Chicago, and his
courtesy and thought were much
appreciated. Mr.. Pagan suggeste ed
that owing to the difference in the
conditions Of Australia and the United
States it would be better for some one
to visit Australia and see things for
themselves. Accordingly I am here
to investigate the planting and growth
Of young trees Of suitable character,
the location, soil, time occupied in
coming to maturity. and the length Of
service likely to be secured from
sleepers of various kinds. Ironbark
we consider the best of all, but that
takes a long time to grow. and it
might prove more economical for US
to grow some other variety, which,
though not so durable, will grow
more rapidly. am in hopes that
in some of the Australian states I may
find the replanting of your forests
has already commenced, so that may
ascertain the methods adopted and
results secured. II you have not yet
done so 1t is not too soon to COM
mence No matter how extensive
your forests may be, the time is bound
to come when your people will feel
the pinch. 1t takes a much shorter
time to cut down and use tree than