The National tribune., 1882-06-24

/ q shmulant and auti-spasmodic in eases Of
/ asthma and spasmodic cough. A volatile
/ OIL, called asaGctda oil, is obtained ~ dis
| tiilation from the gum resin.
! TREES As SANITARY AGENTs.-The Eu-
! calyptus trees of Australia have acquired
reputation as anti-nalarial and as anti-fever
! trees. The Eucalyptus globulus, or Tas-
msnian blue gum, has been extensively
| planted in various parts of the world for the
| purpose Of increasing the heatbiness OF
| climates, but reports as to its success are
| rather conflicting 1t is argued by some
| who have investigated the subject that the
main good these trees effect is due to their
rapid growth and abundant foliage; these
| together have the power 10 absorb 4 con-
siderable amount of moisture from the soil,
and thus produce an effect similar to that
produced by draining the land. If this is
the only attribute these trees possess they
have no special peculiarities over those pos
sessed by other trees Of rapid growth and
furnished with a profusion of ample-sized
leaves, such as some of our native poplars.
Even the more rapid growing willows alb
sorb large quantity of water, and although
perhaps not equal TO the Eucalyptus in this
respect, are sufficiently effective in drying
up wet lands that they may very properly
be planted for this purpose in climates
where these more rapid growing foreign
trees cannot prosper on account Of low tem-
peratures. The Eucalyptus cannot endure
IN this country more than about six degrees
Of frost without injury, so far as the species
have been tested, although it is quite
probable that some of the more alpine kinds
may endure more cold than the larger
species, but their growth will consequently
be slower, i.nd in this respect they will be
outstripped by many of our American trees.
But it is not by any means settled ques-
tion that the Eucalypti have no other sani-
tary effects upon climates except what may
be due to their rapid growth. While they
possess the general constituents Of HgneOus
vegetation, they have in addition tannste
gum resin, n volatile acid and a volatile oil
peculiarly their own. The first two are to
be found IN most parts Of the tree, but the
latter only in the leaves. The atmosphere
of an Australian forest is highly charged
with the peculiar aromatic camphoraceous
odor which emanates from the trees, and it
is stated that Australia on the whole is
pretty free from virulent epidemic or mias-
matte fevers, and the latter is said to exist
only as the Eucalyptus recedes 1t may be
remarked that small quantity of Euca-
lyptus oil when sprinkled sparingly in a sick
chamber, or over any unpleasant substance,
or add a small quantity to stagnant water,
and the pleasure of breathing an improved
air will Immediately be manifest.
Regarding the sanitary influences of pine
trees, DR.. Porcher, in his valuable work " Re
sources of Southern Fields and Forests"
has the following: "The forests of pine are
not only useful but beautiful The charac-
teristic moan Of the winds through their
branches, their funereal aspect, almost limit |
less extent, and the health-giving influences
which attend their presence, all contribute |
to make the pine an object of peculiar in |
terest to the people of the Southern States |
The terebinthinate odor of the tree, some !
electrical influence of its long, speaT-lille'
leaves, certain modification of ozone, are |
severally esteemed to modify the atmosphere /
and diminish the effects of malaria They |
also create q mechanical barrier to the in /
gress of malaria and hence the pine land |
residences, though condemned for their |
sterile aspect, have proved blessing to the |
southern planters in affording a compara-
lively cafe refuge from the unhealthy emma |
tions of the neighbOring plantations"
The drying of land by trees may be looked .
upon IN part as mechanical action, depend !
ing greatly upon the atmospheric conditions. |
When the air is dry evaporation from the (
leaves VIII be greater than when the sur
rounding air is moist. The effect of evapora-
ton is to produce cold Trees planted in /
city streets have tendency to dry out the .
soil wherever their roots penetrate, and thus /
they tend to health 50 far as keeping founda- /
tons and cellar walls dry, and the effect of .
evaporation tends to cool the atmosphere, |
thus presenting two conditions which can
only be looked upon as favorable 10 health .
in cities, 20 far as these factors may exist or
exert any influence.
We are familiar with public park which
WAS planted about thirty years ago The
soil is clayey, resting upon retentive sub
soil. For ten years the young trees made
but little growth; they were stunted look
ing, and the bark more or less covered with /
moss; but as they increased in size the ac-
eumulated foliage gradually relieved the
soil Of excessive moisture, the trees year by
year assumed more vigorous aspect, the
moss disappeared from the bark, and for
the past fifteen years they have indicated
perfect health. 1t is quite probable that
they would have been ten years advanced
in growth had the soil been drained before
planting.
CATCHING APPLE WoRMs.-W D. II. in
Fruit Recorder has the following under the
above heading: Il wish to give you an ac-
count of little experiment I made two
years ego, which l think is ahead of any
thing 1 have seen reported. / had some
gweetened water with little -four stirred
in for bee feed, which the bees did not use
up. 1t stood in pan until it soured 80 it
anything but sweet. About
the 1st of June found lot of millers in it
o-,o -, orrino and II ncclJrrsH IN mo IN han,,