89 



which is based upon tree measurements made in Kentucky by 

 Mr. John B. Atkinson : 



Pine oak will grow to 12 in. diam. in 40 yrs. 



Black locust ' ' 



" 12 " 



" 40 



Tulip " 



" 12 " 



" 50 



Black oak " 



" 12 " 



" 50 



Black walnut ' ' 



" 12 " 



" 56 



Texas red oak " 



" 12 " 



" 58 



Sweet gum " 



" 12 " 



" 62 



Ash 



" X2 " 



" 72 



Hickories " 



" 12 " 



" 90 



White oak " 



" 12 " 



" 100 



EUCALYPTUS 



" 12 " 



" 10 



The above figures, which are probably somewhat biased, sug- 

 gest however that in a short period the California wood famine 

 will cease to be an important problem. It will not help materially 

 the greater part of the United States, of course, as the eucalypts 

 thrive best where the temperature does not fall below 24°. 



Except that the entire genus is rather intolerant of cold, and 

 therefore is confined to those sections of the globe where favorable 

 climatic conditions obtain, there seems to be no limit to the fit- 

 ness of the eucalypts to any given soil or climatic conditions. 

 Some thrive in swamp land ; others in coastal situations or on 

 high plateaus, hillsides, rocky lands, and even deserts. While 

 the trees produce seeds freely, the seedlings do not " volunteer"; 

 and the production of seedlings for commercial purposes is con- 

 fined to regularly established nurseries devoted to that purpose. 

 The trees reproduce, however, very rapidly from shoots springing 

 from the stump of felled trees, and the second growth is much 

 more rapid and as valuable as the first growth. 



Facts like the above indicate not only large financial profits in 

 the near future (seven to ten years) with very little outlay, for 

 these trees need very little care after the first two years ; but they 

 also justify the optimistic claim that the " gap which is yawning 

 between the supply which exists and the supply which will have 

 to be provided " can be filled effectively — at least in the South- 

 west — if we but recognize the possible uses of the eucalypts, and 

 that prompt action in planting quantities of the more desirable euca- 

 lypts will postpone indefinitely the " lean years " close upon us. 



