4 
California landscape. I am inclined, however, to believe the 
conditions which prevail in Cuba are somewhat unusual. At 
Havana harbor one of the great difficulties the late Colonel 
Waring (who so nobly gave up his life in investigating these 
conditions) had to contend with was the prevalence of marsh 
lands, over which the sewage of the city had to pass, and'the 
exposure of these mud flats during low tide, and one of his recom¬ 
mendations provided for the draining and reclamation of these 
mud flats. And possibly, for the amelioration and improvement 
of health conditions in other parts of Cuba, the United States 
would have largely to deal with somewhat similar conditions. 
Assuming this to be somewhat the case, I have placed the genus 
Melaleuca, one branch of the great family of Myrtaceae, first on 
the list as worthy of trial, because some of the most useful 
species extend into tropical climates, and because, in the Manuel 
de I’Acclimateur, by Charles Naudin and Baron Ferd. von 
Mueller, the standard work on plants adapted to the different 
climates of Europe and tropical countries, it is stated, in describ¬ 
ing one species, that “This Melaleuca grows vigorously in earth 
impregnated with salt water where no Eucalyptus could live, 
and it does much to ameliorate the unhealthfulness of the 
climate. This remarkable attribute ought to recommend its cul¬ 
ture in colonies established near marshes or lagoons in countries 
snrrounding the Meditrranean Sea, principally in Algeria.” He 
goes on to mention several other species which are equally valu¬ 
able, and which I will refer to in detail. 
The first to recommend will be the Melaleuca leucadendron. 
From the leaves of this and allied species or varieties is distilled 
the oil of cajeput, an essence generally green, with a somewhat 
agreeable^ and very penetrating odor, employed from time 
immemorial in Chinese India, externally and internally, for rheu¬ 
matism, nervous affections, malignant fevers and cholera. A 
very nearly allied species, Melaleuca virideflora or niaouli, of 
New Caladonia, extends as far north as the Indian Archipelago. 
Besides oil and bark it furnishes the natives with building 
timber, and in utility is to this country what the Eucalyptus is 
to Australia. These various forms are sometimes united as only 
varieties of Melaleuca leucadendron, sometimes given specific 
rank. 
^ Melaleuca minor, in Java and Molucca, also produces oil. 
Melaleuca cajuputi, long considered as only a form of Melaleuca 
leucadendron, is found in the Indian Islands as far west and 
north as the southeast coast of Borneo. It is in the islands of 
Borneo and Ceram where the two largest forms are found, and 
the leaves and bark are used by the natives. The tree stands 
out in the forest, having a white bark like birch bark. The 
