I 



PRACTICAL ARBORICULTURE 355 



a small consideration in advocating the planting of waste land to Eucalyptus 

 groves. 



It would certainly afford substantial benefit in sections bordering rivers, 

 where the natural forestry has been destroyed in the pursuit of lumber and for 

 clearing land for cultivation. The frequent recurring floods due to the deforest- 

 ration may be entirely done away with if trees were planted to hold in check 

 by their leaf deposits, the surface water that now finds its way into the flood 

 as soon as it falls. Just what influence such forests have upon the rainfall may not 

 be readily determined. Hut that it has an important influence seems a well es- 

 tablished fact. For many sections in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, in dry 

 and treeless regions practically abandoned to jack-rabbits and desert growths, 

 useless alike for man or beast, the Eucalyptus would find its most useful office. 

 The state and Federal governments should take the matter up in this direction 

 at least, and by establishing extensive forest plants in such places, bestow a 

 great benefit upon future generations. 



In the open country, and along public roads, where land is not so scarce or 

 valuable as to render the shade and root encroachment on the adjacent few rods 

 of material moment, and in hilly lots and marshy spots, by all means encourage 

 the planting to this rapidly growing tree. 



The Eucalyptus was brought from Australia and planted in California about 

 1865 to 1870, and is proven to be well adapted to subtropical regions of America. 

 During my visit to the Pacific Coast in 1900, I found that little importance, 

 was attached to the tree by citizens generally, and began an investigation lasting 

 two months, in which I found many facts to prove that the tree was of vast 

 importance, but its application as an economic wood was confined to a meager 

 few who had learned its value. 



At Berkeley, on the grounds of the University of California, is the most 

 extensive plantation I ever saw in forest form. These trees are upon quite rolling 

 land, not irrigated, and prove what can be accomplished under almost arid condi- 

 tions. l!ut the largest trees, with most wonderful growth, were on level lands, 

 which were to a greater or less extent supplied with water during the early period 

 of their growth. 



There is an avenue of Eucalyptus, globnlis, on both sides of Lincoln avenue, 

 San Jose, at "The \Yillows," which were planted by the road supervisor in 1872. 

 In twenty-eight years these trees attained a height of 120 to 175 feet. 



Twelve exceeded ten feet in girth, five exceeded eight and one-half feet girth, 

 three were twelve and one-half feet girth, five \vere eleven feet girth. Each 

 would make four logs sixteen feet long. 



Mr. James \V. (iillespie of San Jose has used much of the wood in wagon 

 works, for \\hich it is admirably adapted, having much the character of hickory, 

 which must be transported across the Continent for use in California. 



Mr. fiillespie was filling a very large order from an eastern firm, for tele- 

 graph insulator pins, using the inferior portions of the tree in this way. The elec- 

 tric works made tests of the strength of I'.Hcalyptus. finding it to be 30 per cent 

 stronger than White Oak. and 20 per cent stronger than I'.lack Locust. 



Mr. (lillespie informed me that one tree was cut in Santa Clara County, 

 which marie 1.750 feet of lumber P.. M., besides three cords of wood were made 



