70 EUCALYPTS CULTIVATED IN THE UNITED STATES. 



roots, but the roots of this species yield more than those of any other. 

 They are dug out, cut in pieces, and the water expelled by blowing at 

 one end. According to Baron von Mueller, the aborigines depend 

 entirely upon this source for water in many of their hunting expeditions, 

 and frequently white settlers have found it convenient to obtain water 

 from the same source. The planting of these trees on the deserts of 

 the Southwest might prove a useful means of saving the lives of those 

 crossing' them. 



Eucalyptus obliqua. 

 Messmate. 



Characteristics. — This is a tall, straight-stemmed tree, sometimes 

 attaining a height of 300 feet in Australia, with a stem diameter of 

 10 feet. The bark is fibrous and persistent on both the trunk and 

 the branches, being of a somewhat grayish color. The leaves of the 

 young trees are commonly broad (see PI. LXXXVII, c), but they 

 become narrower as the tree increases in age. They are commonl}^ 

 somewhat thick and stiff, and are conspicuously unequally sided toward 

 the base. The latter characteristic causes them to set in a particu- 

 larly noticeable manner obliquely to the stem, hence the specific name 

 obliqua. (See PI. LXIX.) The medium-sized flowers are very short 

 stemmed, the stalks of the clusters being rather slender and slighth^ 

 compressed. The shape of the mature seed cases is that of an egg 

 with the smaller end cut awa}^; or, in some cases, they are nearly 

 hemispherical. 



Climatic require7nents. — This species grows fairly well at or near 

 the coast, doing best, however, some distance inland, but it does not 

 thrive in the dry, hot vallej's of the interior. The fact that it extends 

 well up into the mountains of Victoria and New South Wales, Aus 

 tralia, indicates that it is suitable for, and worth 3^ of trial on, the 

 lower mountains of the Southwest. It will thrive in light, barren soil, 

 but does not endure severe drought. 



Uses. — The timber of Eucalyptus obliqua is straight and easily split. 

 In Australia this tree furnishes much of the hardwood lumber used 

 for rough building purposes. It is also used extensively for fence 

 rails, palings, and shingles. However, it does not last well under- 

 ground. The bark has been used for paper making. 



Eucalyptus occidentalis. 



Flat-topped Yate. 



Character hstics. — Individuals of this species vary considerably in 

 habit of growth. Frequently they are shrubby in form, several stems 

 rising from one root and growing to a height of 10 to 30 feet. (PI. 

 XXXIII.) Under more favorable conditions they are more tree-like, 



