358 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS. 



OUR attention was first called to the investigation of 

 this so-called wonderful production of Nature by tile 

 receiptor a letter from u reader of FonresT and Stukam, 

 asking if the facts announced in a number of Ibe New 

 Yprk Herald of last October could be depended upon as 

 reliable information-. Not .wishing In give OW* sanction or 

 approval to anything bearing upon the special department 

 of ibis journal, we withheld our opinion until such time as 

 •we felt we could give our many readers all information ap- 

 pertaining to the growth, culture, and value of this tree. 

 In a former article we briefly answered three or four queries 

 concerning it, and since then we have come into possession 

 of the following history of this tree, which we hasten to 

 place before our readers for thought and investigation. 

 Of late there have been many varied" and wonderful slniics 

 told concerning this so-called gum tree. It is found grow- 

 ing to a great height, in Australia. California, and other 

 places upon the Pacific coast. If we were to believe even 

 some of the wonders attributed to it, we should be credu- 

 lous indeed. It is a most wonderful purifier of the atmos- 

 phere, says one account. No malaria can exist where it 

 grows, says another, while a third one says one or two of 

 those trees will suck a swamp dry, so great, are. its powers 

 of absorption. 



Now this would he truly wonderful were it only a reli- 

 able statement; and as a fact connected with agriculture 

 anil sanitary progress, a most invaluable di.-eovery for the 

 prevention 'of disease. 



We have not the least doubt of the healing properties of 

 Ibe Eucalyptus globulus being great and valuable, and hope, 

 as it becomes better and more truthfully known, that we 

 shall be able to place much of the unwritten history of this 

 tree before our readers. 



Desirinir to make a full lest of the value of this tree, the 

 French government has caused if to be planted to a consid- 

 erable extent, in Algeria. They are now growing well, and 

 with promise of future good. They are also growing quite 

 well in the Cape of Good Hope, in'soiae portions of Spain, 

 and in several other places. We have taken much pains to 

 secure valuablo correspondence from these places, and our 

 readers may be assured that, all the reliable information we 

 may receive upon this interesting subject will he commu- 

 nicated to them at an early date. 



While we believe that this tree possesses great healing 

 powers, yet we think its powers of absoiplion greatly over- 

 rated, that it attains a height of SOO feet, and a circum- 

 ference of fifty feet, we think not an error. When, how- 

 ever, we are told that one tree takes up in its capillary cir- 

 culation ten times its own weight of water in a day, we 

 shall be pardoned if we prefer to await further information 

 and investigation before wc tell our readers this as a sober 

 fact. An article we saw in an English paper says that the 

 dried leaves of this tree are of great value, and that a de- 

 coction made from them is superior to quinine. 



Now we deduct about twenty per cent from these news- 

 paper fads, and strike something of a sensible balance in 

 favor of the virtues and highly medicinal value of this 

 wonderful production of Nature, and are satisfied with the 

 result. We arc in possession of many wonderful state- 

 ments concerning this tree, which we shall verify or prove 

 false in due course of time, and the result of "which re- 

 searches we shall at the earliest moment place before the 

 many readers of Forest and Stream. Our Northern 

 friends may rest assured ot one fact— it will be found ut- 

 terly impossible to grow this medicinal tree in nearly if 

 not all of our States" Ollipod Quilt,. 



New YtmK, January, I8TS. 

 Editor Fobest and Stbkam :— 



Observing in lust week's Forest asd Stream a communication from 

 yonr scholarly contributor, "Ollipod Quill," regarding this tree, it has 

 occurred to me that a short description of iny own experience, and in 

 coufirraation of hie remark, might not be iutcrcsting. Some years since 

 while purchasing rather extensively in San dote and San Francisco of 

 tho cuttings and plants of the different varieties of mulberry, Mortis i?i«/- 

 tkul-1.-:, m. iMaaud m. monettl, for a plantation in Southern California, 

 1 noticed in one of the nurserymens' establishments a number of seed. 

 lingB of the Eucalyptus, or as It is, generally termed in California, the 

 Australian Gum Tree. Attracted more by the desire for variety than 

 any knowledge of the species, I bought a number and had them shipped 

 to La Angeles. Fur several weeks after their arrival a pressure of other 

 matters prevented me from setting them out. aud when I did bo, it was 

 with little hope of preserving them. The roots, however, had been well 

 protected, and to my astomshmeut, the following year my little seed- 

 lings bad become tall saplings. In three years two of them had attained 

 aheigbtof over tinny feet, with a proportionate diameter, and by this 

 time they have so over topped the eiange trees and the indigenous oaks 

 as to have become landmarks for the country around, It so Happened 

 that one of the trees had been planted at the npper end of a row of 

 orange trees, consequently at each irrigation or the oranges, its roots 

 were well moistened. The companion tree wa? just across- the road, and 

 not wishing to ditch through this, the tree was left to take its chances. 

 The result was that tho tree which had received the water grew to bead, 

 milking it top-heavy and Inclining. The other, on the contrary, while 

 attaining equal height and girth, was perfectly symmetrical and coue- 

 ehaped, thus demonstrating their adaptability for a dry climate. During 

 the second and third years of their growth there was scarcely rain fall 

 sufficient In Southern California to ripen grain, and one of these trees 

 flourished for nine months without one drop of water. This ie not to be 

 wondered at, however, when we consider that they ara in digonoim to the 

 aridonfl almost svuterle*3 plains or Central Australia. It is this reason. 

 I imagine, whicli prevents their successful production in Florida, which 

 country is, In all probability, too wet for them. Tlie.v seem to revel in 

 drought, like the cactus, of which the padres made their fences when 

 water was too valuable to be applied to a hedge growth. With regard to 

 their standlni frost, Iwouid say that at Han Gabriel, on one occasion as 

 late as March, >« had a frost, sudden and aocspooted. wdiie.h killed my 

 dearly cherished pineapple, bananas., and cocoanul, palms, aud the suc- 

 ceeding year ice formed half an inch thick, killing to the sround the 

 yearling orange trees, but not affecting those that had formed their hard 

 bark, or the cum trees. As soul, thing peculiar, t would mention that 

 the orange tree nearest the Eucalyptus threw out no branches on that 

 •ido, and no subsequent attempt to transplant one of these trees was 

 over successful. The seed is now grown in immense qantities in Cali- 

 fornia, and the seedlings, which are easily removed with the earth balled 

 on the roots, can be purchased for a dollar or two- per hundred. 



Trnstlng that I have not presumed upon yoar contributor's perogative, 

 and hoping to hear from bim "scientifically," regarding this now immi- 

 grant, I km, Yours truly, W- M. T. 

 ■*.»*■ 



— A Monster Salmon.— Some time ago I was looking 

 thiough the "Annals of the Four Masters," a well known 

 book of references on early Irish history, when I came 

 across the following under the year a. d. 1114:— "A sal- 

 mon was caught at Cluain-MicNois this year, which was 

 twelve feet in length, twelve hands in breadth without l:e- 

 ingspiit, and three hands and two fingers was the length 

 of the fin of its neck, "— Jsmd and IVatir. 



IP*; fennel. 



x — * — 



THE DACHSH UND. 



We. give I his week a full length portrait of the Dach- 

 shund, of which so much has recently been written. He 

 is not a handsome fellow, hut he has an honest physiog- 

 nomy, and they say that the uglier his "mug" the better he 

 attends to business. 



Of this peculiar breed of dogs, Garactacus, an authority 

 on kennel matters. says that, they were formerly used almost 

 entirely for hunting Ihe badger, but are now employed in 

 Germany and France in a similar manner to rabbit beagles. 

 As an auxiliary to the gun, they are particularly suited to 

 Ihe dense forests of Germany and France, whore a sure 

 nose and a slow foot take a higher place in the sportsman's 

 consideration than a fleet foot and indifferent power of scent. 



The dachshund in external appearance is certainly one of 



Every hound over ten inches at, the shoulder ought to be 

 rejected. The Germans are only beginning to understand 

 what a thoroughbred flog is, aud any traveler who an- 

 nounces his wish to possess a dachshund in certain parts of 

 Germany can have almost any uumber of mongrels at an 

 hour's notice, and many such are imported; but the thor- 

 oughbred hound is almost as rare abroad as in England, and 

 is on the Continent becoming scarcer every day. 



The dachshund is sometimes said to be a delicate clog, 

 and the extermination by disease of some very large packs 

 in Germany within the last twenty years affords some 

 ground for such an opinion. In this country, however, 

 they seem to be as hardy as most breeds, except that, in 

 spite of their very thick short coats, they are subject to 

 rheumatism. If, however, when they come in wet from a 

 swim, or on a rainy day, they can bo rubbed over at once; 

 this will give very little, trouble. 



Our readers will feel with us their indebtedness to Hcrr 



THE BADGER HOUND, DACHSHUND, OR BASSET. 



the most extraordinary of all the known varieties of tho 

 (•mi* fiimiUaru, and if it is taken up and made anything 

 like so fashionable a hobby as the fox-terrier, the mastiff, 

 or the pug, there is no leliiug to what lengths of canine ex- 

 travagance or distortion he may not arrive. In appear- 

 ance this hound looks like a strange admixture of the 

 terrier, the hloodhouud, the bull dog, and the beagle, but, 

 strange to say, he does not show muoli likeness to either. 



Like most other breed of dogs, the head is the chief con- 

 sideration. If must he long, straight, and narrow down ro 

 the muzzle, but should run rather broader at the end of the 

 snout; flews moderate, cars medium in size, thin, soft in 

 texture, set on low, and falling close to the cheek, but set . 

 rather square in front, barrel round and cloddy; body long, 

 and back slightly arched. The neck should be thick, and 

 the eyes 'neither too large nor too small. After the head, 

 the most important properties lie in the legs and feel, which 

 are crooked as rams' horns; indeed, it is no easy matter to 

 describe the standard of excellence on this point. It will 

 be noticed that they are exceedingly big in bone, out at 

 elbows, in at, knees, and the muscles well developed. We 

 cannot say that we think these crooked legs a beauty in any 

 breed. Au contruire, we consider it an exaggerated defor- 

 mity originating from rickets, that is now fixed in the 

 breed, like the short face of the pug or the pendulous ears 

 of the hound; but so it is, and as we find him so must we 

 speak of him. His color is generally an exceedingly bril- 

 liant black-andtan, but some capital red specimens are 

 shown at times. The coat is of much greater importance, 

 however, than color, and cannot be too short, soft, or bright. 

 The average weight of these curious little hounds is sixteen 

 pounds, bitches rather less; and the height ten to eleven 

 inches; while the chest is little more than the length of a 

 "snipe's nose" from the ground. 



Another English writer says their popularity is not to be 

 wondered at, when we consider that from their great 

 strength, small size, keen nose, and cleverness, they can be, 

 and are, used by sportsmen in England for almost every 

 field sport. They are seldom required to draw a badger or 

 fox, but I am informed one unearthed a badger not, long ago 

 near Bedford which had beaten several fox-terriers. A 

 spoi'tS»n»n wrote to me the other day he used them with 

 pleasure for shooting snipe, pheasant, and partridge. They 

 have been taught to retrieve successfully, their tine noses 

 and muscular jaws more than counterbalancing their small 

 size. But, I believe, they will be found most useful, as 

 beagles. In spite >of their low stature, they get over the 

 ground at a fair pace, and hardly over have a cheek. 



On the other hand, they are good dogs as ladies' pets. 

 They are very good-tempered unless provoked, have skins 

 as sweet as pugs, and will learn as many tricks as poodles. 

 The history of the breed can be. detiuilely traced to the six- 

 teenth century, but it is probably that a search in StSS. 

 would carry it, farther back still. The dachshund of 1500; K 

 far as we can gather from the engravings of the time, was a 

 heavier dog than those exhibited now, with a head that on 

 the very low body looks tremendous, and long ears. 



Fr. Yon Ivernois, the editor of Ihe Gohlis-Leipsig Waid- 

 inann, for his very disinterested oiler and generous conde- 

 scension, (contained in the subjoined letter) in facilitating 

 (he importation and purchase of this peculiar breed of dogs 

 by American sportsmen. We quote: — 



Goiius-Leipsio, December 7, 1854. 

 Editoh Forest and HtRHAm:— 



Allow me to inform you that the article about the dachshund (not 

 daschh::mt, as your printer composed) Interested me very much, as I am 

 myself very fond of these dogs, and possess several of them. A.? you re- 

 quired addresses of gentlemen possessing such dogs, 1 will be glad to 

 give you any desirable information, or to provide snch dogs lor you or 

 any of your subscribers who might want some. The price will be about 

 twenty dollars apiece, from Leipsig, and of course the further expense 

 will fall to tho gentlemen who want them, It would not at all be dim- 

 cult to find somebody who would undertake to bring them over to Amer- 

 ica. For instance, 1 am stire that. Mr. Ilagenbeck. in Hnmlmw, or a 

 speditor, would undertake the transport. Perhaps you will have some- 

 body woo will take care or them during the voyage. I would send yon 

 only capital dogs, and should want only to know if yon prefer pretty 

 dogs, or dogs which are known as very useful in digging out foxes and 

 badgers, as veryoften the ugliest dogs are the best. If any of your sub- 

 scribers retiect about my offer, lie rau be sure to get what he wants, as 

 I would not undertake it for the sake of profit, but especially for the in- 

 terest which I have in America, in which country I have many relatives, 

 in tho American sports, and your esteemed paper in particular. Ire- 

 main, dear Sir. yours very truly, Fr. vox Ivernou. 



Anotheu Challenge.— Mr, E. W. Hope, of La Grange, 

 Missouri, is now in the field with another challenge, in 

 order to prove the superiority or training of his breed of 

 setters; which are reputed to be fine animals. He offers to 

 test his pair of liver and white English setters against any 

 matched brace of the setter of any breed in the country, on 

 condition that the animals are tried on pinnated grouse and 

 quail; the trial to come off on or after the first of Novem- 

 ber, 1875. Mr. Hope's dogs are only house broken, and 

 have not yet pointed a bird, as they are only eight and a 

 half months old. Setters competing with them must be of 

 the same age, or within one month of it. Persons wishing 

 to accept the. challenge can write to him for details. As 

 Mr. Hope expresses a desire to take his dogs to any State 

 where birds are plentiful, it should he an easy matter to 

 arrange for a friendly contest. Those who have the best 

 strains of blooded animals should not, hesitate to accept the 

 gauutlet thrown down in so general a manner. 



Fits Caused by Improper Feeding. —Fits, when the 

 dog is not suffering from an attack of Ihe distemper, can be 

 almost always attributed to a too great allowance of stimu- 

 lating food and a want of exercise while the animal is 

 young. We too often see setters and pointers reared in 

 cities suffering from these attacks brought on by improper 

 diet and a lack of daily liberty. The tits generally occur 

 on the dog being taken out for a walk after he has been 

 kept in the stable or chained to his kennel for several days, 

 his food being flesh, or in a great part animal mallei. 

 Carried away by his spirits the freedom is too great for him 

 to bear and the exertion loo strong for his unaccustomed 

 nature to stand, causing an unusual flow of blood to the 

 head, resulting in a convuN ■,,. 



