Arizona weekly citizen., 1890-04-05
TREES FOR TIMBER AND FUEL

bu0 lOllOhlLB Carefully OOhpAAO NAASN
lar, on tree culture, which We especially
commend to the attention OF our land
owners. We are somewhat apprehen-
sive that the eucalyptus tree will not
thrive well hereabouts, but the expert
ment is well worth trying. Under the
figures given, the growing OF the euca-
lyptus, il it does reasonably well, will be
found more profitable than almost any
other class of crops that can be put in
the ground, considering the little ex-
pense attached thereto. We would like
to see the experiment tried on the lands
east of Tucson:
The eucalyptus or Australian gum, is,
owing to its very rapid growth and
other good qualities, most valuable
tree, whose virtues we are only begin
ning to appreciate in California.
There are about scole Of varieties OF
the eucalyptus know in Australia, its
native country. Some species are more
resistant of cold (such as Eu cucoxylon)
others more enduring of drOugh and
heat Gu polyanthemos,) others fitted
for moist lands (Eu obliqua and Eu gun
nil. Before planting gum trees, 1t is
therefore well to know the character of
the soil and climate-the extremes Of
cold and heat Most varieties Of the
eucalyptus are more or less susceptible
to frost, while young, but become more
hardy as they attain maturity.
To secure the young plants against
frost the first season after planting, it
is proper to spread straw loosely to the
depth Of three or four inches around
them. The second year the plants are
hardy enough to resist the frost with
out such precaution.
In Australia, some varieties of the
eucalyptus are largely used for shingles
rails, planking, etc, others for ship
building, others for oil. Some will
withstand the teredo or pile borer. Sew
eral varieties attain height Of over 100
feet. and there are old trees in Australia
three times that height-veritable
giants of the forest, besides which our
sequoia gigantea becomes dwarfed.
The seed of the eucalyptus can be
purchased of any of our nurserymen, at
about S100 an ounce, .or less by the
pound. An ounce contains 1900 seeds
Young trees, ranging in size from to
10 inches, suitable for planting out on a
large scale, may be had at from $1,000
TO $1,000 per 1000.
A prominent producer Of Los Angeles
gives the following statement, regarding
profits OF eucalyptus tree culture in
this county: Supposing 60 acres to be
planted, this would take 26,lO0 plants.
The expense would be as follows:
26,1OO trees at so co per 1000. -. S26I co
Planting ------------.-.- 10 W
Flowing --.--------------- LOU w
Narrowing and Pulverizing .... 40 co
Cultivating six months ... $50 co
1886 co
The second year viii require a man
eight months, at $1,000 a month, includ-
ing team and board, which would
amount to $4,000, after that, there
would not be any expense. Total amount
the first year, in round figures, $1,000;
the sacond year 500. Tnese are out
side figures. For successful cultivation
in very dry climes, the trees ncod irri-
cation for the first year to moderate
extent. In California, generally, no irrl-
cation is necessary. Ii the trees are
well taken care of, when 4 year old the.
ought to average il to 70 feet in height;
the second year 80 feet, and when five
years old viii pay a handsome profit
There being 80 trees 10 the acre, s trees,
when years old viii make cord of
wood, or 81 cords per acre, or1l cords pc
acre per year on an average OF the first
3 years. Hence, 6l0 acres VIII yield 20
cords per day, Of straight 4-foOt wood.
from 5-year old trees. II wood, on the
spot, cut and corded, is worth sec
per cord, or SLO0 per cord for stumpage.
it is at the latter figure, 5000 per day OF
$500 per year, or S1lO0 to sl2.o0 per
acre per year. These are safe figures.
In five years after cutting there viii
be as much, or more wood, as at the first
cutting. 1t is quite probable that the
tim ber Will be used for mining purposes
In the near future, which will make it
still more profitable. 1t Will readily be
seen that after planting and second year
culture there will not be any expense, as
all that is required, after the timber is
cut, is to take some of the surperfious
sprouts from tho new growth of the
trunk. After the first five years the
continuous growth of the trees will
afford daily supply Of 20 cords Of
wood from go acres without diminish
Ing the quantity of wood in the forest.
The wood is good iron cuttings at all
seasons OF the year. One planting VIII
last for % TO 100 years, and pay 3 per
cent. interest on a value of $1,000 per
acre. The best time to plant in this
country is February or March.
Japan possesses some very valuable and
rapidly growing trees suitable for fuel
and lumber. Among those specially re
commended may be mentioned the Ka,o
panax Ricinifolium (rosin tree; Paul
owna (camphor tree) and Elaeococca
cordata. No test OF any of these trees,
on an extensive scale, has yet been
made in this country. We have made
arrangements to receive, through one of
the largest nurseries in Japan, COM
plete variety of the rapidly growing
trees for fuel, but they cannot reach
here in time for the publication of this
pamphlet.
During the years from 1874 TO 1882,
the average rainfall per year was 10.2e
inches.
The object of these Investigations has
been principally to ascertain the feast
bility of obtaining a supply of fuel and
mining timbers in Southern Arizona"
The woman suffrage clause in the Wv