ico8 NEWS AND NOTES 



125 



hearing; and that every member of prosper there. Although much of the 



the committee was convinced of the soil is stony, the underground water 



importance of the measure. lies near the surface and the roots of 



the eucalypt easily reach it. If they 



Index Owing to the annual can obtain sufficient anchorage to hold 



V°l Xlli meeting and the work the trunks against the force of the 



with Congress in con- wind, success is reasonably sure even 



nection with the Appalachian Bill, it in the stony ground, while many situa- 



has been impossible to prepare the in- tions are available where the soil is 



dex to Forestry and Irrigation for deep and is free from stones, and in 



the year 1907, or Volume XIII, so such places the eucalypts find ideal 



soon as would otherwise have been conditions for rapid growth, 



done. Now, however, it will be ready The frontispiece in this magazine 



within a few days; and any members illustrates the splendid growth of the 



or others who preserve their annual eucalyptus in California, 

 files and wish the index can have it on 



application to this office. Destruction From the Office of 



of Lowland Drainage Investigations 



Eucalyptus During the past few ^^o'^sts ^^ ^^^ United States 



Trees in years the blue gum tree. Department of Agriculture comes a 



one of the Australian note in regard to the forestry situa- 



eucalypts, has been planted in parts of tion in the lowlands of the Carolinas , 



southern Florida, and has thrived to and of the Mississippi Valley. It says : 



such a degree as to assure good re- "A considerable portion of these lands 



suits from plantings of that species in is heavily timbered and has been pur- 



the southern section of the peninsula, chased by companies and syndicates 



The successful plantings were made who are removing the merchantable 



in low sandy soils near Cape Cana- timber as rapidly as possible, and are 



veral, about Fort Myers, and else- placing the lands upon the market for 



where. The water level is usually less the uses of agriculture. Before they 



than six feet below the surface, and can be made useful for such a purpose 



the trees find no difficulty in obtaining they must be adequately drained, 



all the moisture needed. The soil is exceedingly fertile and 



The blue gum and other eucalypts productive when put in proper condi- 

 were brought to California from Aus- tion, and yields a far greater return 

 tralia many years ago, and have shown for crop growing than for forestry, 

 remarkable growth in the warm cli- It would seem that some restriction 

 mate and friendly soils of the Pacific should be placed upon this work for 

 Coast. The eucalyptus becomes a the future good of these areas. With- 

 trunk in a few years when conditions in the last few years much valuable 

 are favorable, but it can not withstand timber has ben removed and burned 

 severe frost, and for that reason it can in the process of clearing the land for 

 be grown with profit only in limited cotton plantations. Since this will 

 areas of the United States. Much at- not probably be done in the future to 

 tention is bemg given to it in Califor- any great extent, as the timber is 

 nia, and hundreds of thousands of saleable and will yield a revenue, no 

 trees were planted the past year. Rail- care is evidently given to the preser- 

 roads use it for ties and are planting vation of any timber upon land which 

 large tracts for that purpose. It has can be used for other purposes." It 

 many uses — fuel, posts, poles, and is added that the people of the sec- 

 lumber. No tree grows with greater tions in question apparentlv think 

 rapidity. that, no shortage of timber will ever 



The success which has attended the result from the course they are pur- 

 introduction of this valuable tree in suing, and 'that they very much doubt 

 southern Florida proves that it will the trustworthiness of the figures 



