PRESIDENTS ADDRESS. 25 



an American point of view than those which are forest trees, and 

 are probably neglected. But here, in this one locality, you have 

 flourishing a choice selection amounting to something between 

 50 and 75 per cent, of the known species of Australian and Tas- 

 manian Eucalypts. Why, such a sight as this, I believe, cannot 

 as yet be seen in Australia itself. 



These Eacalypts are grown for a purpose, and not as curiosities. 

 Their life histories in detail are known; their behaviour under 

 varying conditions of climate and soil, their rates of growth in 

 height and girth, the flowering periods, and everything else about 

 them of interest are regularly noted, tabulated, and recorded, 

 and the results are from time to time published with most artistic 

 illustrations from life; and the knowledge so gained is diffused 

 broadcast for the benefit of everybody who can make use of it — 

 *' The Station Reports and Bulletins will be sent to any citizen of 

 the State on application, so long as available," is the official 

 announcement about them. Seeds and plants are also freely 

 distributed. 



Two other points of interest may be mentioned. With such a 

 large number of species under observation, it is found that quite 

 a number of them are in flower all the year round. Results of 

 this kind are recorded and tabulated; and then made available 

 for bee-keepers. Another advantage presents itself, too, in the 

 shape of opportunities for systematic hybridisation, with results 

 that promise to be of great interest and value. 



California is very suitable for the acclimatisation of Eucalypts, 

 and the Eucalyptus industry has already grown to such an 

 extent that Professor McClatchie says — "Over much of the State 

 of California Eucalypts are the principal wind-breaks, shade and 

 fuel trees, and the number of useful purposes they serve is con- 

 tinually increasing. Without the Eucalypts, California would 

 be a very different State, and their value to the Commonwealth 

 is beyond calculation." 



But Eucalyptus culture is not by any means confined to Cali- 

 fornia. The value of Eucalypts is fully recognised, and their 

 cultivation steadily spreading wherever climatic conditions will 



