INTRODUCTION. 



This bulletin has been prepared with a view to calling attention to a 

 few economic trees of the highest importance which are believed to be 

 worthy of extended trial in the Gulf region of the Southern States and 

 in California. 



The cork oak offers a new industry to the South, and one which, 

 properly fostered, will prove of no small value to the people. Experi- 

 ments so far made, as a result of a distribution of seeds and plants of 

 this species, show that the cork oak can be successfully grown over a 

 large range of territory as far north as the thirty-third degree of lati- 

 tude in Georgia. 



The rapidly decreasing supply of tan bark makes the cultivation of 

 any tree rich in tannin a subject of practical importance. The Aus- 

 tralian wattle trees are among the richest in tannin. Their culture in 

 California, begun under such favorable auspices a number of years ago, 

 received a severe check, however, by the attack of the cottony cushion 

 scale, one of the worst insect pests which has ever visited this country. 

 The wattles were the favorite host plants of the scale, which spread 

 thence to the citrus fruit trees, threatening the destruction of one of 

 California's most important industries. With the advent of the para- 

 site of this scale it is no longer feared, and it is hoped the culture of 

 the wattle will be resumed and greatly enlarged. 



The great variety in form, habit, and value of wood which the genus 

 Eucalyptus offers makes it one of the greatest interest, not only to eco- 

 nomic botanists, but to planters as well. The wonderful rapidity with 

 which these trees develop suggests their usefulness, not only for wood 

 supplies, but for shelter-belt planting. In California these trees are 

 well established and grown for economic purposes. Although probably 

 not many localities in the South are adapted to their cultivation, experi- 

 ments are stdl needed to show the adaptability of some of the species, 

 the large number of these with different habitats in their native country 

 suggesting the possibility of adaptation. 



The bamboo, a grass rather than a tree, but of such dimensions and 

 character as to serve for the purposes for which trees are grown, has so 

 far also been grown only or mainly for ornamental purposes. The 

 incredibly rapid growth and the usefulness of the matorial for many 



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