EUCALYPTUS 557 



eucalypts into India probably dates from 1843, when a few trees were planted 

 experimentally in the Nilgiris mainly with the object of finding some species 

 capable of yielding regular and plentiful supplies of fuel : regular plantations, 

 chiefly of E. Globulus, were commenced in these hills in 1856, and have been 

 extended subsequently on a large scale. Numerous species have since been 

 tried under all sorts of climatic and other conditions in many parts of India 

 and Burma, both in the hills and on the plains. Some details of the results 

 attained in different localities are given below, but it may be said generally 

 that some species or other of eucalyptus has been found which is suited to 

 almost any climate in India with the possible exception of: (1) very moist 

 tropical regions, where the seedlings damp off in spite of all precautions ; and 

 (2) elevations above the winter snow-line, where snow-break is to be feared. 

 It is, however, possible that species may yet be found which will grow well in 

 localities where eucalypts have failed hitherto, for although several species 

 have been proved to thrive well in India under given conditions, the intro- 

 duction of a large number is as yet in the initial stage of experiment or has 

 not yet been attempted. 



The extension of eucalyptus cultivation in India has its advocates and its 

 opponents. The former urge the great utility of these trees in supplying fast- 

 growing timber and fuel as well as oil, tannin, and other products, their swamp- 

 draining capacity and their direct anti-malarial value, though from a medical 

 point of view the last-named quality appears to be problematical. The latter 

 maintain that the extension of eucalyptus cultivation in India has gone far 

 enough, that the trees are monotonous, and that in regions where they are 

 capable of growing it is possible to grow indigenous trees which furnish better 

 timber and are superior in every way except so far as rapidity of growth is 

 concerned. There is something to be said on both sides. It is true that as 

 timber trees the eucalypts have not come up to expectations in India, but 

 that is no reason for believing that some good timber species may not yet be 

 found which will be capable of profitable cultivation. On the other hand, so 

 far as fuel production goes, the rapidity of growth and the volume-production 

 of the eucalypts in places where they do thrive far exceed anything attainable 

 by indigenous species. The blue gum has conferred an inestimable boon on 

 the Nilgiris, and those who complain of the monotony of the eucalypts which 

 dominate the landscape on the Nilgiri plateau should remember that these 

 trees saved a fuel famine in the middle of last century, while in Ootacamund 

 and the adjoining stations they now yield plentiful supplies of fuel, obtainable 

 at far cheaper rates than is the case in any other hill station in India. Where 

 large supplies of quick-growing and therefore cheap fuel are required, there 

 seems to be every reason for the extension of eucalyptus plantations in India 

 in places where these trees wiU grow well and furnish liigher yields than in- 

 digenous species ; while, again, the experimental introduction of little-known 

 or new species, which has been proceeding for several years past, is all to the 

 good, since it tends towards a solution of the question of cheap supplies of fuel 

 and possibly of timber. Provided, therefore, the extension of eucalyptus 

 cultivation in India is confined to cases where it is likely to be of distinct 

 advantage, and does not involve the clearing of valuable indigenous timber 

 species, there is much to be said in favour of it. 



