The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-11-21
The Blue Gnm Tree Va. M.,nr,.


Fihr Italy, In many parts. is n nrev n
deadly DaJarial diseases. II is therefore a
good country for testing The repIted virtues
Of the eucalyptus with various additional
names, according to species) as corrective
and preventive 10 fever.siricken localities.
At Naples, Florence. Rome, and their neigh.
borhoods the experiments are being made
on large scale and with the bappiest re.
suits. Everywhere the maIarial influences
are yielding TO the rapid growth of the A u.s.
tralian gum tree. Many convincing exam
pies OF The heaithful operation OF the tree are
given. The most remarkable Is that OF the
Trappist monks at Ira Fontaine. Formerly
no one could sleep in their monastery at
night without catching fever. The monks
had therefore been obliged 10 pass their
nights In the city OF Rome (near by). About
ten years ago they began to plant the euca.
lyptus in their grounds, and in four years
were enabled TO sleep In safety at the
Tomb" (as the monastery used to be
called). Since then they have obtained q
large concession OF territory free from the
Government on condition that they plant
upon IL 100000 OF these trees in ten years,
and thus redeem IL from the curse of ma
laria.
The eucalyptus OF several varieties is
easily accimated In Italy and grows very
fast, In Ten years attaining height OF sixty
feet and a diameter Of five feet. Specimens
OF 200 feet high and twenty feet thick are
not uncommon In its native Australia. Its
anti-maIarial properties are supposed to be
due TO ITS unoqualled power OF absorbing
moisture from the ground through its wide
spreading roots, and aI>o to the strong
camphor.like ordor OF its leaves and bark.
Experiments have shown that ii abb
serbs ten times IFS own weight Of
water lin a season. y and throws it
off in rich camphoraceous vapors. 1t
has been defined as a natural pump, doing
perfectly for malarial soil what other i'm
perfect modes Of drainage fail TO do. Pro-
ducts resembling quinine in their curative
effect are obtained from the bark and leaves.
Whatever the explanations may BE-, there is
no doubt that the blue gum tree is deSid-
eratum in fever and ague districts. There
is also evidence TO prove that it keeps off
mosquitoes, and even drives away parasitic
insects from vines and plants growing in its
friendly shade.
Experiments with the eucalyptus have
not turned out so well in all parts Of the
United States. IL flourishes IN California
rand in some southern States where the eli
niate compares IDosI clo>ely WIN luaI oi
the Australian habitat OF the tree. II is be-
lieved that among the eight wellknown
representatives OF this remarkable family
some one may be found adapted to thrive at
least in our middle States. The Agricultu-
raj Department at Washington has not yet
given up the search in despair. Some OF
the experiments made by the Commissioner
in the direction Of native tea and "eorly
amber" sugar may be open to criticism
but there can be no question OF the useful
ness OF his efforts TO fight fever and ague
with the eucalyptus. In some parts OF The
United States, il not in all, this work can
be carried on with great benefit TO the
afflicted.