IX. 
PREFACE. 
Nil IS book has been written mainly for tree planters. Its chief aim is to turn 
T 
scientific research on the Genus Eucalyptus to better account in the 
economic cultivation of selected species. 
The most pressing need of industrial civilization to-day is replacement of 
vanishing forests. Civilized man must either plant trees on a scale far exceeding 
all previous schemes or prepare to see many of his arts and crafts decline for lack 
of wood. Softwoods will be required in successive harvests, the volume of which 
cannot yet be calculated. Hardwoods, in their lower ratio to the total consump¬ 
tion, will be in imperative and increasing demand. This book states the case for 
the Eucalvpts, and pleads for their more competent and generous treatment in our 
national forestry. 
It may be helpful to the student to indicate in brief outline the sources 
whence information has been gained for writing about these trees:— 
(a) Standard works on the botany and technology of the genus. 
( b) Thermal and rainfall records as issued by the official meteorologists in 
Australia and New Zealand. 
Personal study of species and groups of species in a large number of 
distinct climatic areas, in Australia and in New Zealand. 
Correspondence with botanists and foresters in respect to behaviour of 
species in localities not personally visited. 
Reports on cultivation of Eucalypts in South Africa, California, and 
India. 
(0 
(d) 
(e) 
In travel, in research, in obtaining photographs and reports, in preparing 
manuscript for the press, in reading proofs, and in many other ways, the author 
has received from friends in both Australia and New Zealand assistance without 
which his task would have been much more difficult and less successful. To cite 
names would call up many happy memories, but the list would be too long. This 
brief but grateful acknowledgment must suffice. 
The exceptionally fortunate circumstances under which the botanic plates for 
this book were obtained are stated on page 22. 
People who write books would be helpless without printers. Thought must 
be given expression in due and appropriate material forms. Credit for the 
technical production of this volume falls to The Brett Printing and Publishing 
Company. The administrative officers of the firm have been uniformly courteous, 
and always prompt in attention to the wishes of their client. Experts in the 
several departments have shown a keen interest in their work, and have given 
their best in both knowledge and skill. The author’s relations with all concerned 
have been wholly pleasant. 
Takanini, 
Auckland, N.Z., 
1927. 
J. H. SIMMONDS. 
