1904 



FORESTRY AND IRRIGATION 



69- 



THESE BLUE GUMS ATTAINED AN AVERAGE OF 26 INCHES IN DIAMETER IN 27 YEARS. 



tends to deflect the air current upward 

 and over the grove. 



The percentage of culls from orange 

 orchards in some of the most windy sec- 

 tions of California runs from three per 

 cent in well protected groves to fifteen 

 per cent in groves with no Eucalypt 

 windbreaks, three to six per cent being 

 the average for protected grovel, and 

 twelve to fifteen per cent for unpro- 

 tected groves. A good windbreak will 

 protect the orchard for about forty rods. 

 In the regions near the foothills the 

 windbreaks should be nearer together. 

 The trees should be planted quite closely 

 in the rows, four feet being about the 

 right interval. 



A very good windbreak is made by 

 planting Blue Gum and Monterey 

 Cypress {Cuprcssus macrocarpa) alter- 

 nately. The Cypress makes a dense 

 undergrowth, while the Gum gives the 

 desired height. The disadvantage in 

 this expedient is that the Cypress is 

 short lived. 



One of the greatest faults found with 

 the windbreaks is in the effect of the 

 vigorous roots of the Blue Gum sapping 



the ground, rendering the first row or 

 two of fruit trees unproductive. This, 

 however, is overcome to a great extent 

 by digging a trench three and a half 

 feet deep every other year parallel to 

 the windbreak, and cutting off the roots 

 of the windbreak trees. The trench 

 must be refilled or the Eucalyptus roots 

 will pass under it and necessitate 

 deeper digging next time. 



Two manufacturers are using Blue 

 Gum at present, one as center pieces for 

 tables and the other in the construction 

 of wagons. The latter makes ever}' 

 part of the w^agon, except the hubs, from 

 it, and is very enthusiastic over it as a 

 construction material. He says that 

 the Blue Gum is much superior to the 

 Hickory or Ash which is received 

 from the east. The best second grow r th 

 Ash or Hickory may be actually better, 

 but this grade of timber cannot be had 

 out there, so the Blue Gum is the best 

 wood obtainable in the state. 



It is not as elastic as Hickory, but is 

 stiffer. It lasts as long as any other 

 hardwood, and does not check or warp 

 any more than the others. But Blue 



