76 EUCALYPTS CULTIVATED IN THE UNITED STATES. 



Uses. — The wood of this tree is not in special favor with artisans; 

 but as it is durable underground it is very useful for posts, ties, and 

 similar purposes. According- to Baron von Mueller it is free from the 

 attacks of destructive insects, which is ascribable to the presence of 

 kino. 



Eucalyptus rostrata. 

 Red Gum. 



Characteristics. — Individuals of this species make fairly rapid 

 growth, and are commonly above medium size. The tree varies con- 

 siderably in habit and appearance, in some cases being erect and 

 stately, and in other cases unsymmetrical and irregular in growth. 

 (Pis. XXXVIII, XXXIX.) The individuals also vary as to the hue 

 of the foliage, that of some being a livid green, while that of others 

 may be yellowish or reddish. 



The Red Gum is one of the leading forest trees of the Australian 

 continent. Baron von Mueller says of it that it is " perhaps the most 

 important of the whole genus!" Mr. Maiden says. " I do not suppose 

 that there is a person resident in Victoria or South Australia for six 

 months who does not well know what lied Gum is;" and, in speaking 

 of its occurrence in New South Wales, adds, "It is the tree which pro- 

 duces directly to the colony by far the most revenue of all our trees." 



The tree is commonly about 100 feet high in Australia, but is 

 reported under favorable circumstances to grow to double that height, 

 with a trunk diameter of 6 to 12 feet. The bark of the younger trees 

 is smooth and reddish or ashy gray; of the older ones usually more or 

 less rough and furrowed. It is commonly persistent, but occasionally 

 patches of varying thickness flake off. The stems of the young seed- 

 lings and the twigs of the trees are red. The leaves are of medium 

 size, lance-shaped or sickle-shaped, and have the same color on the 

 two sides. The flowers are small, on slender stems, in clusters of 3 

 to 12. borne on rather slender stalks. The deciduous covering of the 

 flower bud is distinctly pointed or beaked, the Latin word for which 

 is rostratus, giving the tree its specific name. The seed cases are cup- 

 shaped, with conspicuous protruding valves. (See PI. LXXIV.) 



< 'limatic requirements. — The Red Gum grows under a great variety 

 of climatic conditions. It is scattered over most of the southeastern 

 part of Australia, growing there in a great variety of situations. 

 While it prefers moist river bottoms with an equable climate, it will 

 endure much heat, severe frost, and considerable drought. In the 

 southwestern part of the United States it thrives at the coast, on the 

 dry mesas, in the foothills, and in many of the dry, hot valleys of the 

 interior. In the latter region it endures minimum temperatures of 15° 

 to 20 F. , and maximum temperatures of 110° to 115° F. It thrives 

 in the moist, foggy sections of the coast regions of the Southwest, and 



