INTRODUCTION. 



In presenting to the public a printed copy of my 

 "Lecture on Forest Planting and Australian Qum- 

 Trees,^' delivered before the Santa Barbara College 

 Association, for the benefit of the library, it is neces- 

 sary to preface the lecture by the statement that it 

 appears in print in consequence of repeated demands 

 for the publication from several localities in the south- 

 ern part of California. Forest protection, the want 

 of trees, in almost every part of the State, is mani- 

 fest to all owners of land, who are eager to begin the 

 planting ; the only question being — What shall we 

 plant ? The rapidity of growth of the Blue Gum, 

 and the facility with which it can be propagated, 

 is a feature of great importance ; but information is 

 wanted. Much that has been written on the subject 

 is mere speculative theories, often contradictory, and 

 too uncertain to merit the confidence necessary to 

 base such an Important industry. This industry not 

 only necessitates that the protection should be cheap- 

 ly and quickly obtained, but that the tree should have 

 a value for mechanical or other purposes. This value 

 gives confidence to the planter, without which it can 

 not be expected the work will go on. The inquiry 

 comes, "What is the value of the tree ? This is the 



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