18 EUCALYPTS CULTIVATED IN THE UNITED STATES. 



tember, 1894, V. L. Polk, then consul-general at Calcutta, remarks 

 concerning the Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus): "It may be said gen- 

 erally that the growth of this species is an unqualified success." 



IN SOUTH AMERICA. 



The Eucalypts have been grown in parts of South America for over 

 thirty years. Interest in them in the Argentine Republic was aroused 

 by the careful work of Dr. Ernest Aberg, who conducted cultural 

 experiments with the genus and in 1871 published a work upon the 

 importance of these trees for a wood supply. The}' are grown to some 

 extent in Peru, in Venezuela, and in other parts of the continent. 



IN NORTH AMERICA. 



The Eucalypts were introduced into North America only a few 

 years after their introduction into France and Algeria, the merits of 

 the genus being early recognized by Californians. It is reported that 

 they were introduced into California in 1856 by Mr. Walker, of San 

 Francisco, and in that year 14 species were planted. In 1860 Mr. 

 Stephen Nolan, a pioneer nurseryman of Oakland, being greatly 

 impressed with the rapid growth of these first trees, and also with their 

 evident adaptability to the climate, commissioned a sea captain sailing 

 for Australian ports to secure any Eucalyptus seed he could, at the 

 same time furnishing money with which to make the purchase. A 

 large supply of seed of several species, including Eucalyptus luminalis, 

 was received from this source, and sown in 1861. Mr. Nolan continued 

 to import seed in quantity for several years, distributing the seedlings 

 widely through the State. 



The country is especially indebted to Hon. Ellwood Cooper for call- 

 ing attention to the merits of the Eucalypts. For many years he was 

 very active in bringing the genus to the attention of the citizens of 

 California. Under date of May 28, 1900, he writes: 



There were Blue Gum trees growing in the State during my first visit in 1868. I 

 saw a few specimens in private gardens from 10 to 20 feet high; was attracted to 

 their beauty; so that when I located in Santa Barbara, in 1870, I at once conceived 

 the idea of forest planting. 



In 1875 he delivered in Santa Barbara a lecture in which his enthu- 

 siasm for the genus found expression. This was probably the first 

 address on the subject in America. His interest in these trees (and. 

 incidentally, the rapidity of their growth, which is one of the causes 

 of their rapid introduction) is shown by the following statement made 

 by him upon that occasion: 



At my home I have growing about 50,000 trees. The oldest were transplanted 

 three years ago. A tree three years and two months from the seed, transplanted two 

 years and ten months ago, is 9i inches in diameter and 42 feet 6 inches high. 



