California landscape. I am inclined, however, to believe the 

 conditions which prevail in Cuba are somewhat unusual At 

 Havana harbor one of the great difficulties the late Colonel 

 Waring (who so nobly gave "up his life in investigating these 

 conditions) had to contend with was the prevalence of marsh 

 lands, over which the sewage of the city had to pass, and the 

 exposure of these mud flats during low tide, and one of his recom- 

 mendations provided for the draining and reclamation of these 

 mud flats. And possibly, for the amelioration and improvement 

 of health conditions in other parts of Cuba, the United States 

 would have largely to deal with somewhat similar conditions. 

 Assuming this to be somewhat the case. I have placed the genus 

 Melaleuca, one branch of the great family of Myrtaceae, first on 

 the list as worthy of trial, because some of the most useful 

 species extend into tropical climates, and because, in the Manuel 

 de 1 'Aeclimateur, by Charles Naudin and Baron Ferd. von 

 Mueller, the standard work on plants adapted to the different 

 climates of Europe and tropical countries, it is stated, in describ- 

 ing one species, that "This Melaleuca grows vigorously in earth 

 impregnated with salt water where no Eucalyptus could live, 

 and it does much to ameliorate the unhealthfulness of the 

 climate. This remarkable attribute ought to recommend its cul- 

 ture in colonies established near marshes or lagoons in countries 

 surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, principally in Algeria." 1 It- 

 goes on to mention several other species which are equally valu- 

 able, and which I will refer to in detail. 



The firs1 lo recommend will be the Melaleuca leucadendron. 

 From the leaves of this and allied species or varieties is distilled 

 the oil of eajeput, an essence generally green, with a somewhat 

 agreeable and very penetrating odor, employed from time 

 immemorial in Chinese India, externally and internally, for rheu- 

 matism, nervous affections, malignant fevers and cholera. A 

 very nearly allied species, Melaleuca virideflora or niaouli, of 

 New Caledonia, extends as far north as the Indian Archipelago. 

 Besides oil and bark it furnishes the natives with building 

 timber, and in utility is to this country what the Eucalyptus is 

 to Australia. These various forms are sometimes united as only 

 varieties of Melaleuca leucadendron, sometimes given specific 



rank. 



Melaleuca minor, in Java and Molucca, also produces oil. 

 Melaleuca cajuputi, long considered as only a form of Melaleuca 

 leucadendron, is found in the Indian Islands as far west and 

 north as the southeast coast of Borneo. It is in the islands of 

 Borneo and Ceram where the two largest forms are found, and 

 the leaves and bark are used by the natives. The tree stands 

 out in the forest, having a white bark like birch bark. The 



