EUCALYPTS IN FLORIDA. 



SUITABILITY OF FLORIDA TO EUCALYPTUS CULTURE. 



The successful growing of eucalypts in southern California has 

 raised the question whether these trees can be grown in other por- 

 tions of the southern United States where climatic conditions may be 

 favorable. Next to southern California, Florida promises most for 

 the growing of this genus. 



In January, 1910, the Forest Service began an investigation to 

 learn what species of eucalypts might be successfully grown in the 

 different sections of that State. The first step of this investigation 

 consisted chiefly in finding as many as possible of the eucalyptus 

 trees planted in the State and determining their botanical identity, 

 their rapidity of growth, and their frost hardiness. 



Sixteen species of eucalypts were found growing with varying 

 degrees of success at 27 different places in Florida. 



The results of this preliminary study prove that certain eucalypts 

 are climatically well suited to the southern part of Florida. Just 

 how profitable they may be in commercial plantations is yet to be de- 

 termined by actual trial. To make this trial the Forest Service, in 

 cooperation with the State and with several boards of trade in Florida, 

 is undertaking experimental plantations of eucalypts on a scale 

 much larger than has hitherto been attempted. Until conclusive re- 

 sults are obtained from this investigation, any commercial planting 

 of eucalypts by individuals should be made cautiously, and only 

 after a close study of the climatic and soil requirements of the species 

 planted. 



WHERE EUCALYPTS HAVE BEEN GROWN. 



The eucalypts are natives of Australia and Tasmania. They are 

 broad-leaved, evergreen trees belonging to the family Myrtacse. 

 Their name is derived from two Greek words meaning " well con- 

 cealed," and was given to this genus by the French botanist, l'Heritier, 

 who discovered it in Tasmania in 1788, because the flowers, when im- 

 mature, are well hidden under a lid or cap. The first species dis- 

 covered by l'Heritier was Eucalyptus ohliqua. Since then several 

 hundred species have been described. 



From their native home they have been introduced into a number 

 of other countries where the climatic conditions were more or less 

 suited to their growth. They have been successfully planted in the 

 Mediterranean region, as in southern France, on the island of 



