366 I'he y onyalai of Forestry. 



Thus a plantation of one hectare which gives appreciable results in the 

 third year will yield in the tenth a minimum of 7,000 fr., and in double 

 the time it ought to produce four times the value. This estimate may be 

 exaggerated, but even allowing a liberal margin for pardonable enthusiasm, 

 the result cannot fail to be most remunerative. 



But to arrive at the best results with Eucalyptus they must be planted 

 in the best land, and for the first years at least be carefully cultivated. 

 Thus treated they may be expected to realize immense returns. For 

 instance, the average yield of a hectare planted in cereals in Algeria may 

 be estimated at 250 fr., and without taking any account of the years when 

 such land must of necessity remain fallow, the total produce in twenty 

 years may be stated at 5,000 fr. 



During those twenty years the cost of cultivation, the value of the seed, 

 the transport to market, &c., may be considered as equivalent to the cost 

 of planting the same area in Eucalyptus, tending the trees, and finally 

 cutting them down. According to the preceding table the timber would 

 then have a value of 27,900 fr., or for the sake of being well within the 

 mark, say 20,000 fr. If the cultivator has to remain a long time without 

 any return for his money, surely the result is worth waiting for. 



Effect of Increased Care in CuUivation. — The time during which these 

 trees occupy the soil may be divided into two periods of ten years each, 

 the first the period of growth, the second period during which the ligneous 

 products are condensed and consolidated. 



If during the first period the laud is kept clear, and the same amount of 

 culture is given to the trees as would be given to a vineyard, the cost, 

 calculating 5 per cent, interest on the sum's successively expended, might 

 amount in round numbers to 1,000 fr. During the second period no care of 

 any kind would be required. Under the circumstances there is every reason to 

 suppose that the trees would make as much progress in twenty years as 

 they otherwise would in thirty. The cost of this extra care would amount 

 to 1,000 fr., and the profit to 18,000 fr. 



Comparison between Oak and Eucalyptus. — According to the tables of 

 Cotta a hectare of land produces 450 cubic metres of oak in 100 years, 

 the value of which at 105 fr. the metre amounts to 47,235 fr. 



The same quantity of Eucalyptus wood might be produced in twenty years, 

 and would realize 20,000 fr. This sum of money placed at compouud 

 interest from 20 to 100 years would give the enormous sum of 810,800 fr. 



Danger oj Fire. — No doubt that with so highly inflammable a substance 

 as Eucalyptus wood, and with leaves so rich in essential oil, the risk of 

 fire is a matter to be taken into serious account. It cannot, however, be 

 much greater than in a pine forest, and the danger may to some extent 

 be guarded against by planting the land in blocks of 10 hectares each, and 

 leaving a wide space between them, which may be utilized either for the 

 cultivation of cereals or as pasture land. 



In the case of a pine forest catching fire, the destruction to the trees is 

 absolute. Eucalyptus, though checked in its growth for the time, sends 

 out fresh shoots in many cases. 



