PROPAGATION AND CARE OF EUCALYPTS. 47 
field except during certain seasons. In California they are commonly 
set out from February to May, but may be set considerably earlier or 
later in many parts of the State. Where heavy frosts occur during 
the winter it is best to wait until the danger of their occurrence is 
over, as many Eucalypts that endure frost when older are quite sensi- 
tive when young. In southern Arizona the best months for setting 
are March and April, just after the winter rains, and July and August, 
during the summer rains. They can be started most successfully there 
during the latter part of March. 
If the Eucalypts are being set primarily for shade they may be set 
in single or double rows, 10 to 20 feet apart in the rows, along fences 
or irrigating ditches, or on each side of a road; or they may be scat- 
tered about the barnyard or the stockyard. But if they are being set 
for timber or for fuel it is best to set them 8 to 16 feet apart each way in 
solid blocks. When set in this manner they grow straighter (thus 
making more serviceable timber), split more readily for fuel, and are 
in every way more useful than if they grow scattered about and exposed 
to distorting winds. Some species, like the Red Gum, that are slen- 
der and easily distorted by the wind the first year or two, will grow 
straighter if corn be planted among them. In regions where the sun 
is trying the corn serves as a partial shade, as well as a wind-break. 
But as stated before, Eucalypts thrive best in bright sunlight, and it 
is not well to permit the corn to encroach too closely upon the young 
plants. 7 
SUBSEQUENT CARE. 
The young plants should be given some water when set out, and in 
many cases the watering will need to be continued for some time. 
How long after setting the application of water should continue will 
depend upon the climate, and upon the weather that follows. In the 
coast region of California, where night and morning fogs are frequent, 
little artificial watering is necessary. Farther inland trees need to be 
watered for several weeks at least. Inthe dry valleys of southern 
Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas they should be irrigated at least 
throughout the first season, and will make more satisfactory growth 
if irrigation be continued several vears. After their root system 
is well established a few irrigations during winter when water is 
abundant will be all they they will need in most of this region. If set 
along irrigating ditches or canals it will be necessary to water them 
by hand only a few months, until the roots have pushed down into 
the permanently moist soil. 
As most of the EKucalypts are quite delicate plants when small, they 
will need careful attention the first season. They should be cultivated 
and kept entirely free from weeds for from one to three years, accord- 
ing to the species and the condition of the soil. In many cases they 
