18 EUCALYPTS CULTIVATED IN THE UNITED STATES. 
tember, 1894, VY. L. Polk, then consul-general at Calcutta, remarks 
concerning the Blue Gum (Lucalyptus globulus): ** It may be said gen- 
erally that the growth of this species is an unqualified success.” 
IN SOUTH AMERICA. 
The Eucalypts have been grown in parts of South America for over 
thirty years. Interest in them in the Argentine Republic was aroused 
by the careful work of Dr. Ernest Aberg, who conducted cultural 
experiments with the genus and in 1874 published a work upon the 
importance of these trees for a wood supply. They are grown to some 
extent in Peru, in Venezuela, and in other parts of the continent. 
IN NORTH AMERICA. 
The Eucalypts were introduced into North America only a few 
years after their introduction into France and Algeria, the merits of 
the genus being early recognized by Californians. It is reported that 
they were introduced into California in 1856 by Mr. Walker, of San 
Francisco, and in that year 14 species were planted. In 1860 Mr. 
Stephen Nolan, a pioneer nurseryman of Oakland, being greatly 
impressed with the rapid growth of these first trees, and also with their 
evident adaptability to the climate, commissioned a sea captain sailing 
for Australian ports to secure any Eucalyptus seed he could, at the 
same time furnishing money with which to make the purchase. A 
large supply of seed of several species, including Lucalyptus viminalis, 
was received from this source, and sown in 1861. Mr. Nolan continued 
to import seed in quantity for several years, distributing the seedlings 
widely through the State. 
The country is especially indebted to Hon. Ellwood Cooper for eall- 
ing attention to the merits of the Eucalypts. For many years he was 
very active in bringing the genus to the attention of the citizens of 
California. Under date of May 28, 1900, he writes: 
There were Blue Gum trees growing in the State during my first visit in 1868. I 
saw a few specimens in private gardens from 10 to 20 feet high; was attracted to 
their beauty; so that when I located in Santa Barbara, in 1870, I at once conceived 
the idea of forest planting. 
In 1875 he delivered in Santa Barbara a lecture in which his enthu- 
siasm for the genus found expression. This was probably the first 
address on the subject in America. His interest in these trees (and, 
incidentally, the rapidity of their growth, which is one of the causes 
of their rapid introduction) is shown by the following statement made 
by him upon that occasion: 
At my home I have growing about 50,000 trees. The oldest were transplanted 
three years ago. A tree three years and two months from the seed, transplanted two 
years and ten months ago, is 93 inches in diameter and 42 feet 6 inches high. 
