Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-06-24
The Eucalyptus Planfafi Ons of
Algeria.

A correspondent writes to the Pail
Nal Gazette as follows The Eucal-
yptus, tree of the myrtle family, was
introduced from Australia into Algeria
about eleven years ago, and fourished
surprisingly. 1t was not, however,
until within the last seven years that
any extensive plantations were made.
A few days since we made an excursion
TO visit those on the estates of NJ. Trot-
tier. NJ. Ramel and NJ. Cordier.
On NJ. Trottier's estate at Hussein
Dey we walked under tall trees, the
Eucalyptus globules Cblue gum trees),
on an average fifty feet high, which
seven years ago were planted with seeds
not so big as mustard seed; this par
ticular plantation was on bad soil, and
had not had very experienced care, vet
the growth OF the trees was marvellous.
In this evergreen wood all round us
were tall reddish smooth stems, with
the bark hanging down in ragged,
untidy manner, for the tree sheds its
bark in winter, and grey willow-like
leaves we're waving on flexible boughs.
For about twenty-five feet the stems of
tie trees in the inner part of the plan
tation rose up with no branches at all,
but on the skirts of the wood the trees
sent out branches in the light and air
nearly to the ground. 1t produced a
curious impression to walk in the dim
twilight of this Australian-African for
est, and to think that this was also a
wood of the miocene period. Beautiful
is not the word L should apply to its
appearance, but, in exchange for bare
sun-baked earth or deadly swamps, 1
must say these Eucalyptic forests are
most grateful, and the smell delight
fully resinous, warm and gummy. The
multitude of birds in the branches and
their busy twitterings added much to
the pleasant impression. l measured
these trees as / walked along, and
found them forty to forty-five inches in
circumference, those on the borders of
the wood always, of course, a few inches
larger.
Many village communities in the
plain have planted scores of gum trees
in this neighborhood, and feel the
benefit, but at present there is certain
ly an exaggerated manner of speaking
of the Eucalyptus. 1t is praised as a
scent, as cigars, as medicine, as a
tonic, as throat lozenge, and, above
all, as bath. Branches and leaves
are put into hot water, and am as
su-ed by those who have tried it that
baths remove rheumatic pains, neural
gia and the debility left by the malaria
Incidental to the country. The flower
of the Eucalyptus tribe is very like the
myrtle flower; it is very full of honey,
and attracts a multitude of flies and
bees, and the birds naturally follow, for
they find not only food but thick. warm,
leafy cover in winter, and shelter from
the burning sun in summer. Some
species of Eucalyptus have large and
very beautiful flowers.
Finally. our opinion is that the Eu-
calyptus tree may prove the most pow
erful element of civilization as yet put
in force on the coast of North Africa;
that in a very few years it will be self
sowing, and thus take its place as a
naturalized subject, there is very little
reason to doubt. This year the seed
ripens plentifully on the seven-year-old
trees. Thus in few years we may see
the one thing most longed for on the
Barbary coast-that IS, shade from the
fierce sun.