200 



The Garden Magazine, December, 1921 



THE term Eucalyptus, of Greek derivation, means to cover 

 (kalypto) well (eu), as with a lid. The petals and sepals are 

 joined to form a cap or lid, enclosing the stamens and pistils. 

 As the bud develops the cap separates from the calyx-tube, the 

 stamens protruding, giving the inflorescence a fluffy appearance. 

 The flowers are arranged in umbels, either sessile or with pedi- 

 cels, and range in color from white, pink to scarlet, rarely 

 yellow. Frequently, buds, flowers, and fruit, in various stages 

 of development, can be seen on the same branch, giving a very 

 pleasing aspect to the tree. By a proper selection of varieties 

 it is possible to have a succession of bloom the year round. 



The Eucalyptus has long been used for the making of railroad 

 ties, furnishes good fuel, is excellent for railroad coach and hard- 

 wood furnishings, for farm and other implements, telephone 

 poles, bridge lumber, insulator pins, wheelwright work, flooring, 

 tool-handles. The wood of some species is beautifully grained 

 and takes a good polish (my own home is furnished with panels 

 of Eucalyptus wood which is the admiration of all our friends). 

 Resin is a valuable product; an antiseptic oil is distilled from the 

 leaves and twigs of a few species already noted. The Eucalyp- 

 tus, because of its ability to absorb great quantities of water, is a 

 valuable tree to plant in swampy land to eliminate malarial con- 

 ditions. Mention may also be made of the value of many 

 species as bee pasturage, the calyx cups supplying a very sweet 

 nectar. The bee industry is rapidly assuming an important 

 place in California, and the Eucalyptus plays no mean part 

 in aiding this industry. 



Considered from any angle of its diversified character — 

 rapidity of growth; durability and hardness of the wood of 



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BLUE GUM (Eucalyptus globulus) 



At the bend of a road. The characteristic stripping of 

 the bark, leaving the naked trunk is clearly shown 



THE RED GUM (E. rostrata) 



Commercially and ornamentally an important Eucalyptus. Leaves and 

 trunk vary in character; and the tree tends to assume a very crooked shape 



many species; the extraordinary number of uses to which the 

 wood may be put; the sturdiness and picturesqueness, or grace 

 and elegance of the ornamental species; the medicinal properties 

 of the leaves of the Blue Gum; the health-giving properties of 

 a mass of the trees — the Eucalyptus is one of the most im- 

 portant plant families in the world. 



It is estimated that there are some 300 species in the genus, 

 but a few serve as types of certain groups. Some have been 

 grown in California for many years; others have not been tried 

 out to any extent, but all are probably adapted to certain kinds 

 of conditions. 



The Blue Gum is probably the most interesting and import- 

 ant species. It is what might be termed an all-around- 

 tree, because of its versatile character. It is a tall, fast-grow- 

 ing tree, sometimes reaching a height of 300 feet in Australia. 

 The trunk is very straight, the bark peeling off in long strips. 

 The leaves of the young trees are broad and a light, bluish-green 

 in color; those of the old trees are narrow and very much elong- 

 ated, sickle-shaped, leathery, often a foot in length. The in- 

 florescence is white. The tree is adapted to a variety of condi- 

 tions, enduring extremes of temperature. Young seedlings are 

 popular greenhouse plants in Europe, and in the Eastern States to 

 some degree, and are favorities for sub-tropical bedding in parks 

 etc. 



There is a dwarf form, called E. compacta, originating as a 

 sport on the grounds of the California Nursery Company at 

 Niles. The tree is symmetrical and compact in habit and 

 densely branched. The leaves are broad and white-mealy. 



The forms having brilliant red blooms are attractive to most 

 people. The bloom lasts but for a short period, 'tis true, but is 



