THE EUCALYPTS AS EXOTICS. iy 
IN AFRICA. 
About the same time that the Eucalypts were introduced into France 
they were carried into the French colonies in northern Africa. The 
Blue Gum (/ucalyptus globulus) is reported to have been introduced 
into Algeria in 1854, a little over half a century after the discovery of 
the species in Tasmania by La Billardiére. By the year 1875, accord- 
ing to Planchon, it had been planted in northern Africa ‘* by hundreds 
of thousands; in groves, in avenues, in groups, in isolated stalks, in 
every section of three provinces; and the foreigner who does not know 
the exotic origin of the Eucalyptus would suppose it to be an indigen- 
ous tree.” He adds: ‘*No tree has in so short a space of time intro- 
duced into the forest vegetation of Algeria so picturesque an element, 
or is as useful and as promising for the future.” 
Prof. Louis Trabut, Government botanist of Algeria, wrote to the 
author as follows, under date of October 14, 1900: 
Relative to the Eucalyptus, this tree has been planted in Algeria since 1870. 
Only HE. globulus was planted for several years. Lately they have planted E. rostrata. 
These are the only species that have been generally planted. Among amateurs 100 
other species may be found. The Eucalyptus has rendered great service to the 
country in quickly growing wood for the timbers of sheds and other farm buildings. 
Eucalyptus culture has continued to spread, now extending through- 
out other parts of the continent, more especially in the English and 
Dutch colonies of southern Africa. James Bryce, in his Impressions 
of South Africa, published in 1897, says, concerning the planting of 
Eucalypts in the latter region: 
The want of forests in South Africa is one of the greatest misfortunes of the coun- 
try, forit makestimbercostly. * * * Unfortunately, most of the South African trees 
grow slowly; so where planting has been attempted it is chiefly foreign sorts that are 
tried. Among these the first place belongs to the Australian gums, because they 
shoot up faster than any others. One finds them now everywhere, mostly in rows 
or groups around a house or a hamlet, but sometimes also in regular plantations. 
They have become a conspicuous feature in the landscape of the veldt plateau, 
especially in those places where there was no wood, or the little that existed has 
been destroyed. * * * Ifthis goes on, those Australian immigrants will sensibly 
affect the aspect of the country, just as they have affected that of the Riviera in 
southeastern France, of the Campagna of Rome, of the rolling tops of the Nilghiri 
hills in South India. 
IN SOUTHERN ASIA. 
It is reported that the Eucalypts were introduced into southern 
India as early as 1843. Several thousand acres are now covered with 
these trees, principally upon the Nilghiri and Palui hills. In parts 
of India a great variety of Eucalypts thrive, while in other sections 
only a limited number of species can be grown. Some large planta- 
tions there are now 40 years old. In the consular report for Sep- 
27719—No. 35—02——2 
