PARK AND CEMETERY 
73 
The Eucalyptus in Australia. 
I have read Mr. Joseph Meehan’s letter on Eucalyptus in 
your issue of March, page 18. Mr. Meehan's friend had only 
experience of the warmer parts of Australia, for snow is com- 
mon in Tasmania and less common on the highlands of Vic- 
toria, while even in New South Wales it often occurs on the 
higher ranges, and in the Alps of New South Wales and 
Victoria we have snow drifts many feet deep in midsummer 
and occasional falls in midsummer. In 1895 we had heavy 
snow storms over a large area of this state. All these things 
I have seen with my own eyes. Australia is, like the United 
States, an enormous country, and in New South Wales alone 
we have at least half a dozen fairly well defined climates. 
I see nothing wrong in Mrs. Seavey s statement that certain 
species of Eucalyptus are suited to the conditions of the 
southern United States. 
The only correction I would make to the otherwise correct 
statement from the “Saturday Post’’ is to eliminate the word 
“far” in “far above the timber line.” Eucalyptus coriacca 
forms the utmost limit of tree vegetation in Australia. It is 
found at 7,000 feet, exposed to the Antarctic blast on Mt. Kos- 
ciusko. 
The fact of the matter is various species of Eucalyptus grow 
in severe cold, in intense heat, in the droughty conditions of 
the plains and in tropical and temperate swamps. Some 
Eucalypts are tall, others shrubby, some yield valuable tim- 
ber, while the timber of others is next to worthless. This is 
not to be surprised at since we have between two and three 
hundred species and varieties. J. H. Maiden, 
Director of Botanic Gardens and Govt. Botanist, Sydney, 
N. S. W. 
* * * 
Eucalyptus globulus at Redlands, Cal. 
In the March number of Park and Cemetery, under the 
heading of “Correspondence,” I notice two interesting letters 
on the Eucalyptus tree, one by Mr. Joseph Meehan, and the 
other by Mr. Jens Jensen. 
The first plant to attract my attention in California was an 
Eucalyptus, and as it was a species entirely new and unknown 
to me, I at once became interested in learning all I could 
about it. My observations have been necessarily confined 
almost entirely to about a dozen trees on this ranch, some 
newspaper articles, and talks with a few older residents here. 
As there seems to be quite a difference of opinion about the 
tree, I thought perhaps you might be interested in hearing 
about it in this location. 
There are said to be between 50 and 60 different species of 
the Eucalyptus : Canyon Crest Park claims to have 40 species. 
The trees on this ranch are probably the Eucalyptus globulus, 
or blue gum. They are said to be perfectly hardy in this loca- 
tion and at this altitude, 1,360 to 1,650 feet. A resident says 
in his 14 years’ experience at Redlands he has never known 
a tree to die from frost or heat. Last summer we noted the 
temperature at 114 degrees F. in the shade (a neighbor’s ther- 
mometer when placed in the sun burst after reaching 130 de- 
grees) and during the past winter as low as 22 degrees F., 
but the trees on this and the adjoining ranch were not in the 
least affected as far as I could see. Have been told the Eu- 
calyptus here has withstood 14 degrees of frost. 
The trees on this ranch are never irrigated, but depend on 
the winter rains for their moisture. As no water is found 
under 30 feet the roots must penetrate the soil this distance t# 
receive the necessary nourishment. The roots are said to grow 
to a great length, sometimes measuring a few hundred feet. 
The tree is unpopular for certain reasons among the fruit 
growers, especially the owners of orange groves, on account 
of its thievish propensities. It is a very rapid grower, and to 
sustain this growth must have considerable moisture, which 
it does not hesitate to steal from every plant in its vicinity, 
and to their detriment. 
Another reason for its unpopularity is that it is a very 
dirty tree to have about the door yard. Small branches, leaves, 
seedpods and pieces of bark are constantly dropping to the 
ground. It is evergreen, but it loses its bark once a year ; on 
some trees this comes off in small pieces and on the others 
in long slabs 10 or 15 feet in length. 
The trees here have grown very rapidly; one across the 
road, planted ten years ago, is now about 2 ft. in diameter at 
the base, and fully 80 ft. in height. Some on this ranch are 
from 60 to 70 ft. in height. A cut was made about 40 or 50 
ft. from the top of 4 trees a year ago, leaving bare poles, but 
these have now grown out in fine shape and are handsome 
trees. 
The Eucalyptus is valuable for windbreaks and fuel. The 
wood is of fine firm grain, and if to be used for fuel should 
be cut up at once. If allowed to become dry it will resist a 
blow from an axe, causing it to rebound as if from a ball of 
rubber. I understand it is quoted at $14.00 a cord in the mar- 
ket at Redlands. The leaves are full of an oily sap which 
causes them to burn readily even when green. We find them 
very convenient to start the fire with. 
This oily sap possesses considerable medicinal properties. 
The leaves are crushed and the oil extracted. It is used for 
soap, liniments, ointments, salves, etc. I believe about twenty 
different uses in all have been found for it. A liniment made 
from Eucalyptus oil is said to be very good for rheumatism. 
Last summer I was interested in watching the bees gathering 
honey from the blossoms on a tree in front of our cabin. 
They seemed to become intoxicated after imbibing too freely, 
and the wind would cause them to lose their hold on the tree 
altd they would be blown a few feet away, but they always 
tried to return, like a toper to the saloon that caused his 
downfall. In some cases they would be so overcome that they 
fell to the ground ; some would recover after a little and fly 
away, and others, after trying in vain to regain their feet, 
would be attacked by a small colony of ants and soon de- 
stroyed. George S. Alvord. 
Cemetery Notes. 
A recent legal decision rendered by Judge C. M. Pond at 
Minneapolis, holds that Lakewood Cemetery association must 
pay taxes on the unused land it holds, and has not on sale in 
lots for cemetery purposes. The matter was argued some 
time ago by Assistant County Attorney Smith, who claimed 
that the association had no right to purchase land and hold 
it out of use until future years, without paying taxes upon it. 
The evidence showed that they would probably not begin to 
sell the land in question for cemetery lots for thirty years to 
come. The court holds that the land is taxable. Judge Cray 
has decided in another matter that the association has the 
right of eminent domain, and certain land adjoining the ceme- 
tery wanted by the association will, therefore, be taken by 
condemnation proceedings. The interesting point in this lat- 
ter case will be whether a commission will decide that they 
