USES OF EUCALYPTS. 37 
hence the Blue Gum among the Eucalypts has been most used for this 
purpose. (PI. V, a.) 
The Manna Gum (Lucalyptus viminalis), the species approaching 
the Blue Gum most closely in rapidity of growth, has also been cut 
considerably for fuel. Other species making a slower growth produce 
a harder wood and better fuel. For some years Mr. Cooper has been 
cutting stove wood for the Santa Barbara market from his Red Gum 
(EZ. rostrata) and Red Ironbark (/. s¢deroxylon) groves, and finds the 
fuel from them superior to that from the Blue Gum. (Pl. V, B.) 
When other species become more generally known, or when plantings 
now made have reached a sufficient age, undoubtedly several species 
will be found better adapted for fuel than the now much-used Blue 
Gum. But at present that is the fuel tree of much of the State of 
California. (PI. VI, a.) 
When set for fuel the young trees are commonly planted either 
8 by 8 or 6 by 10 feet apart. Rows 10 feet apart with trees 6 feet apart 
in the rows give a few more trees to the acre, and leave more space — 
between the rows for driving with a wagon. Formerly some growers 
planted closer—either 4 by 4 or 4 by 8 feet—and cut out the trees as 
they increased in size, until they were left the distance apart they 
desired them to be permanently. But so much difficulty was experi- 
enced in preventing the growth of the trees desired to be eliminated 
that the practice has been almost entirely abandoned. The young 
trees are commonly cultivated for about two years after being set out. 
In California some of the best agricultural land is used for growing 
Blue Gum wood for market, usually in groves of from 10 to 40 aeres. 
Not only are these groves profitable, but they add much to a landscape 
which without them was quite monotonous. Land unsuitable for til- 
lage—hillsides, ravines, and rocky plains—is also much utilized. In 
such cases the return from the fue] produced is practically a clear 
gain. In July, 1900, the writer’s attention was attracted to a grove 
of Eucalypts near Pasadena, Cal. Subsequently, in response to an 
inquiry as to the age of the grove, Mr. H. F. Shorting wrote as 
follows: 
The Eucalyptus globulus grove is 12 years old, and is in the worst sort of soil, for 
grapes, oranges, lemons, and barley have all failed. Itisan old river bed. It was 
cut one year ago, and they are far bettér looking trees now than they were before 
being cut. (PI. VII, a.) 
There is undoubtedly much land in the Southwest now considered 
too poor for growing any crop that might pr ofitably be set to fuel- 
producing groves of Eucalypts. 
When 5 to 7 years old, groves of Blue Gum or Manna Gan may be 
cut to the ground for Pal, and they may be cut every six or eight 
years thereafter. The all from each cutting is commonly 50 to 75 
cords of 4-foot wood per acre. One lv-acre grove between Los 
