AGRICULTURAL BULLETIN 
OF THE 
STRAITS 
AND 
FEDERATED MALAY STATES. 
No. 5.] 
MAY, 1912. 
IVol. 1 
THE EUCALYPTUS. 
From time to time a considerable number of letters appear in 
the local papers commenting on the desirability of planting varieties 
of the Eucalyptus as suitable roadside trees, and also, on account of 
their supposed value in purifying localities where severe fevers are 
prevalent. 
We have received many letters asking for advice on the same 
subjects, and in order to give a general answer to all such correspon- 
dents, I shall endeavour to outline the success which has attended the 
efforts of this Department, to introduce any of the Eucalyptus family. 
A Few General Characteristics of Eucalypts. 
As is probably well known, the Eucalyptus or Eucalypts are natives 
of Australia and a few of the adjacent Islands. The genus is a 
large one, comprising over 150 species. Many of the species are trees 
varying in height — some of them being amongst the largest in the 
World, while others are small shrubs which thrive in desert and 
alpine regions. A number of the species are vigorous growers. 
The Blue Gum ( Eucalyptus globulus) is one of the fastest growing of 
the genus. 
From the middle of the last century, the Eucalypts have been dis- 
tributed all over the World with various degrees of success. As is only 
to be expected, the most marked success has been attained in coun- 
tries having a somewhat similar climate to Australia. Eucalypts have 
been successfully established in Algeria, South Africa, on the Nilghiri 
and Palui Hills and in North and South America. It is interesting to 
note that during the last few years, the chief product of the Eucalypts 
i.e., Eucalyptus Oil has largely been produced in California. 
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