Richland beacon., 1875-02-27
From Southern CultvatOr for Feb
The Eucalyptus GlObulus or Fe-
ver-DeStrOyins Tree.

Prof. Bentley, the Prof Of Botany,
Kings College, London, has kindly .
forwarded me a lecture which he
lately delivered to the Fellows of the
Royal Botanical Society Of London
in regard to the properties OF this
tree. To this lecture, and to an
article in "Comptcs Remius,' by DIR.
Gimbert, narrating experiments in
Algeria, in improving the miasmatlc
climate, by plantations Of these trees,
| am indebted for the following notes:
This tree is known as the "Euca-
iyptus Giobuius," or tie "Blue Gum
Tree" 1t is native Of Tasmania
(Van Dieman's Land.) According TO
Dr. Bently, there are many species OF
EucaIypius, and all with few eAcep-
tions belong TO Australia, and are
generally known there as "Gum trees
from yielding gummy or resinons pro-
ducts. "All the species have ever
green leaves, which hang in an oblique
or even vertical direction from the
branches, and thus give a very pc
culiar aspect to the forests OF Aus
tralia The leaves are commonly
studded with internal glands or re-
cep.aclcs of volatile OIL The flowers
pinkish or white, are frequently very
beautiful and these, together with the
elegant appearance of the species and
the agreeable nature of their OdorS,
render them favO:itc objects of cul-
ture'
But the power which this tree pos
sesses of destroying malaria, renders
it an object of special interest to us
of the South.
It's stated by Prof. Bentley and
others to be an unquestionable fac,
that extensive districts of couhtry pre-
viously unhealthy, have been render
ed healthy by the introduction of this
Eucalyptus tree. At the Cape of
Good Hope, the Colony was subject
to fevers, and now the cultivation OF
TIE Eucalyptus has in a few years
changed the climatic condition Of the
unhealthy section.
In Algeria, in district noted for
the prevalence of fever, it has been
tried On large scale, and now not a
single case of fever occurs, although
the trees are not more than nine feet
high. In another noted fever spot,
where marsh water prevailed both
winter and summer, "the whole dis
trirt was dried up by $4,000 of these
trees, and the inhabitants now enjoy
excellent health" 1t is stated that liz
Cuba also, the health of the marshy
districts is being greatly improved
where this tree has been introduced.
A special instance is given o! Sta
ton house on railroad that was so
pestilential that officials could not he
kept there, and now it is rendered
healthy in consequence Of the plant
ing of few Eucalyptus trees. In
stances are given of its beneficial
effects in improving the climate in
portions of France, S,,ain, Italy and
Germany. Lately it has been plant.
ed by the Roman Railway company
along the line from Rome to Naples.
The general testimony in favor OF
the effects of th IS tree in improving
the climatic condition OF those coun
tries liable to malarious influences
, may be regarded as substantially COR
r rect.
, 1t is stated that one ounce of the
| seed contains over 10000 separate
4 seeds, and from one pound of seed
d nearly 100000 plants may be raised
; Hence, it would not be difficult mol
O expensive to try the experiment Of the
introduction of this tree on o larg,
scale
The tree is said to be of very rapit
is growth, so rapid that any man il
d 30 years time, could find himself, if b.
r. chose, surrounded by forest Of hi
IN own plantation" In its native coun
v try, it grows to an immense siz,
ID With the exception of the Californi
1t Coniferous tree, it IL said to excel i
ST dimensions any tree in the world. |
M some cases in Australia. this tree ha
le been known to attain the dimension
is of $50 feet in height and 100 feet
to circumference. lit ra. ely" says Pro
Bentley, sends out branch until il
b. trunk is 100 feet high. Its valne as
~ timber tree may in some degree
=. Judged Of, by the fact that in man
III II, cases, planks of this wood, which
remarkable for its hardness and dur;
- bility. have been cut lG0 feet in lengt
- 90 inches broad aud ihchcs in thic
se ness.
r., According to DR.. Bentley, it is no
o' successfully cultivated in warrior
~ portions Of Southern Europe,
u" France, Spain, Por,ual, Greece al
nc Italy and in Cuba. St. Helen
a Algeria, &C., &c. 1t is stated tn
!! young trees are growing in shelter
Is portions Of the South and West
o' England, and that they have surviv'
two winters there, without protec'io
;iIl This fact would excite the reason
,pt ble hope that this valuable tree M
he become naturalized with Us, especial
Nv in The Southern portions of Georg
nm and in favorable localities of the 9th
of Southern States-tbough when We
ore Young it is extremely delicate, and
or that tender age is ssil not to be a'
iry to resist temperature lower than
ng deg. +
en-, DIR. Bentley states. that tie tree
}, ir commonly regarded "a Being, srrvic
bic in iw" ways-hulh' lay IL +