286 



AUBOKICULTURE 



riui Eucalyptus \u M('xi<:<). 



Several varieties of eucalyptus are 

 growing in various portions of the He- 

 public, but there seems too little interest 

 in the trees and slight appreciation of 

 its immense importance. The odor of 

 the eucalyptus has caused it to be called 

 by the people, camphora. 



Twelve years ago the Mexican National 

 Railwav imported from California a car- 

 load of eucalyptus trees, which were 

 planted along its line, but all died, from 

 what cause is not known. From the gen- 

 eral success which is apparent in every 

 portion of Mexico, and that with no care 

 given it, the indications arc that the 

 trees were orverheated and killed in tran- 

 sit. There is not the least doubt but the 

 eucalyptus will not only grow, but will 

 prove of inestimable value to the coun- 

 try. 



The Mexicans have not fallen into the 

 disastrous habit of pollarding the euca- 

 lyptus, which is practiced in California, 

 and was illustrated in a recent number of 

 Arboriculture. Hence the trees are all 

 very tall and symmetric — valuable for 

 the timber which is contained in a long, 

 straight trunk. 



Since all the native trees of Mexico's 

 tablelands, except some of the mountain 

 pine, are short-bodied, and thus of slight 

 commercial value, it imisl become appar- 

 ent that trees of real worth, growing tall 

 and forming trunks which will produce 

 much lumber and valuable timber, are 

 greatly needed in the Republic, and since 

 such trees are not indigenous to the re- 

 gion, they must be planted. It is an as- 

 sured fact that many such trees will and 

 do grow vigorously under proper influ- 

 ences. 



There are more than one hundred va- 

 rieties of the eucalyptus family growing 

 in California and many more in Austra- 

 lia, New Zealand, Hawaii and other Pa- 

 cific countries. Comparatively only a 

 few are of special interest. 



Among the many important qualities 



of the cucalypuis a few may be noticed. 

 For ocean piers, piles of eucalvptus are 

 in demand because of its resistance to 

 the attacks of the teredo, so many Cali- 

 lornia trees have been pollarded, or cut 

 off, to form a branching head, few trees 

 suitable for this purpose can be secured. 



I'or wagon work, axles, spokes, 

 tongues, etc., eucalyptus is an excellent 

 substitute for oak, as it possesses the nec- 

 essary qualities. 



For carriage manufacture, spokes, bent 

 felloes, bent shafts and poles, axles, sin- 

 gletrees, doubletrees and bodies, where 

 hickory is used, the toughness, strength, 

 elasticity and firmness of eucalyptus 

 make it of special value. 



By steaming, the wood of eucalyptus is 

 easily bent into any shape, and, when 

 seasoned in this position, retains its 

 form. 



Some varieties are used for founda- 

 tions under water, where great durability 

 is desired. 



Other kinds are suited for inside fin- 

 ish, as they take a fine polish and have a 

 highly ornamental figured grain. 



Many thousands of insulator pins for 

 telegraph cross-arms are being used, as 

 careful tests have proven it to be 20 per 

 cent, stronger than oak or locust. 



Its growth is extremely rapid if ample 

 water is supplied. Some varieties suc- 

 ceed with a small supply of water. 



A willow or alamo tree will occupy ae 

 much land, requires as much water and 

 demands as fertile soil as the eucalyptus, 

 yet when grown the value will be but an 

 insignificant sum. while the eucalyptus is 

 worth a large sum of money. 



The margin of streams, borders of 

 ditches, shores of lakes, etc., are spe- 

 cially adapted to the growth of the euca- 

 lyptus. 



No tree will make so much cordwood 

 for fuel in a given time as eucalyptus. 

 The scarcity of fuel in Mexico would sug- 

 gest its cultivation for this purpose. 



