24 UTILIZATION OF CALIFORNIA EUCALYPTS. 
(7) The effect of methods of piling while seasoning on loss of 
moisture, checking, and shrinking. 
For the pole-seasoning experiments 72 blue-gum trees from 10 to 
13 inches in diameter, breast-high, with a clear length of 34 feet were 
obtained. Part of these trees were cut in the spring of 1909, and 
part in the fall. They were chosen from three different localities 
typical of coast fog-belt conditions, interior valley conditions prac- 
tically free from fog, and inland conditions on the edge of the fog belt. 
To determine the effect of soaking in fresh and salt water upon 
subsequent seasoning, forty 8-foot blue-gum logs, 10 to 12 inches in 
diameter, cut in the spring of 1909, were used. Some of the logs 
were peeled and some left unpeeled, and part of both lots were placed 
in fresh water and part in salt. At the beginning of the rainy season 
the same amount of material was obtained and subjected to the 
same treatment. 
UTILIZATION. 
Up to the present time knowledge based on actual utilization of 
California-grown eucalypts is meager. Not only has no large amount 
of timber of merchantable size ever been available, but manu- 
facturers and consumers are naturally reluctant to use a new and 
little-known wood in place of those which have proved entirely 
satisfactory for certain purposes. However, enough has been done 
to indicate that some species of eucalypts grown in California may 
prove excellent substitutes for woods in use at present for cord- 
wood, piling, posts, poles, cross-ties, mine timbers, paving blocks, 
insulator pins, furniture, finish, veneer, cooperage, vehicle stock, and 
tool handles. 
Thoroughly seasoned eucalyptus makes a very satisfactory fuel. 
It gives a quick, hot fire, burns with a bright blaze, and emits a 
pleasant aromatic odor. Its heating qualities, as compared with 
other California fuel woods, have not yet been determined. At 
present eucalyptus for fuel purposes can be obtained at a somewhat 
lower price than California oak. The best fuel is obtained from the 
slower-growing, more mature trees. It is probable, however, that 
a large share of the eucalyptus cordwood placed on the market 
within the next few years will be cut from young, rapid-growing 
trees. It is necessary to split eucalyptus cordwood as soon as cut, 
as it will become very hard and tough as it dries. This is particu- 
larly true of blue gum. In some cases the fibers are so interlocked 
that it becomes impossible to split the blocks at all. In seasoning 
cordwood, the piles should be raised from the ground, or decay may 
take place in the lower layers. 
The blue gum in its natural state does not make a satisfactory 
post or pole, because it decays rapidly in contact with the soil. This 
[Cir, 179] 
