USES OF EUCALYPTS. 33 



indicates that these, and probably other species, might be used as a 

 forest cover for similar desert regions. In order to get the seedlings 

 started it would be necessary to water and cultivate them a year or 

 two, after which they would be supported by the rainfall, especially 

 in localities where the ground water is near the surface. 



AS WIND-BREAKS. 



In the Southwest the Eucalypts have been found very useful as 

 wind-breaks. Their quick growth and varied habit make them 

 peculiarly adaptable for this purpose. Thus a low tree with dense 

 foliage may be selected where a low, close wind-break is desired, and 

 a taller species where a higher and less dense shelter is needed. 

 Owners of orchards, especially citrus orchards, have found them par- 

 ticularly beneficial as a break to the strong winds and a protection 

 during cold weather. (PI. I, b.) 



On this point Mr. Nathan W. Blanchard, of Santa Paula, one of the 

 most extensive growers of citrus fruits in California, in a letter dated 

 June 11, 1900, makes the following statement: 



In reference to Blue Gum wind-breaks, I prefer them to any other. They grow- 

 rapidly and break the force of the wind, which is what is required. A solid wind- 

 break like a Monterey Cypress, the wind sometimes falls over and has a twist- 

 ing effect on the trees, similar to wind coming from a high mountain range. With 

 my experience in this valley I would plant the wind-breaks about 450 feet apart. 



The Limoneira orchards are laid off in sections, putting the Blue Gums 40 rods 

 apart, but I think this distance is too great and it is too far to run the water econom- 

 ically. My wind-breaks are about 450 feet apart, and are so effective that one does 

 not feel the wind at all among the orange trees. Neither is my fruit in the least 

 impaired by the wind, however strong it may blow down or up the valley. My 

 orchard ditches are along the wind-breaks, and the trees therefore get all the water 

 that they need and do not draw upon the moisture of the orchard to the detriment 

 of the fruit trees. Indeed, I have some orange trees alive that are growing right 

 under the Blue Gums, bearing some good fruit. If the Blue Gums are sufficiently 

 supplied with water they have no injurious effect upon the trees other than the shade, 

 and on the east side of the wind-breaks my trees are more thrifty, or at least bear 

 more fruit, than the average, while on the west side the shade is somewhat detri- 

 mental to the amount of fruit that I secure. 



Upon the above subject Mr. Ellwood Cooper, of Santa Barbara, in 

 the letter previously mentioned, writes as follows: 



The fruit orchards where protected have larger growth and cleaner leaves and 

 steins. Less fruit blows off during high winds. 1 know of an orange orchard at 

 Santa Paula where Eucalyptus trees were planted on the cast and west sides— quite 

 a distance between. The trees on either side, where protected, were twice as large 

 as those in the center; in fact the orchard was sloping from tin- protected sides to the 

 center. The center rows were taken out and Eucalyptus trees planted. The orchard 

 now shows a uniform appearance. 



Mr. Cooper also speaks of the value of the Eucalypts as a wind- 

 break for grain fields. On this point he says: 



In wheat and barley farming I found that in the immediate vicinity of the groves 



27719 No. 35—02 — 3 



