The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-07-27

The raDid defamation of forests In the
United States has awakened the question
as to the best manner of their restora-
ton. 1t is thought profitable to consider
the claims of trees not indigenous 10
America to be cultivated on the denuded
lands. especially on hilly, rocky ground
or ground unfit for farming. On inns &C
count l wish to call attention to some OF
the native trees Of Australia. Ihese trees
are being successfully grown in Cantor
mia and in other states similar in climate
to California.
The forest Of Australia generally have
a monotonous appearance. This is caused
by the presence everywhere of the eu-
calvpti. OF which there art many species.
There are. however. trees of other genera
notably of the Angophora. etc.
The parklike appearance of the open
forests and the beauty of the many flow
ering shrubs win admiration in spite OF
the sameness of the trees. Even the dull.
grayish blue of the foliage OF the gum
trees. when relieved by the yellow BIOS
som of the waffle. including the graceful!
myall or the beautiful and shapely kur-
rajong is not without its attractVeness.
The trees for the most part are straight
and cylindrical III the trunk. and when
full grown their first branches are at
considerable height from the ground
49,
at no great depth from the surface. an
admiration of nature to the peculiar eli
matte conditions of the country. me
finest specimens of the most OF the tim
Der trees-those Welding the most Valua-
Bic timber-ara found on ridges and hill
sides and in places frequently too rough
and stony for cultivation This circum-
stance is in many ways fortunate for the
state. In the course of settlement. when
the rich plains are denuded of their trees
~ ,Ns1ly NN.at-
appreciated and valuable than it is at
present land not adapted for agricultural
settlement will still be available for the
cultivation of the finest trees. Among
the MANY trees of commercial value i'm
mense specimens of red gum QI roStrata)
and apple trees (Angophora4 subvelutina).
on the northern river fats. mark the
course of the streams while on the ridges
and mountain sides other species Dredom-
mate SUCH as the white or Shs iron bark
(E paniculata1. narrow-lcaved iron bark
(E crebra). broad-leaved iron bark (E.
siderophloia) mugga or red iron bark
(E SideroXylOn) black butt &c. piularisl,
white mahogany &c. acmenodes). tallow
wood lE microcorys). spotted gum &c.
maculata). gray box IL. hemiphloia). red
mahogany o. resnifera). gr2S gum (E
punctata aud +. propinuua) forest red
gum OE. tereticOrnis) and sydney blue
gum (E. saigna). Neither must the tnr-
pentine CSyncarpic laurifoiia), one of the
bush poX (Tristana conferta) of the
northern rivers-a tree much in request
for ornamental purposes-be forgotten.
The most of the encalypti are of very
slow growth. Iron banks, of which there
are four different species. commonly call
ed red, white. black and gray. may be
classed as our best timber for engineer
ing structural purposes such as beams
or girders for timber bridges and build
ings, piles in harbors and railway ties
or sleepers. For the latter purpose the
timber has been known to last for from
twenty-five to thirty-siX years. 1t is
proven fact that iron bark is one of the
best. If not the best. hard wood timber
In the world From its very slow growth
it could not be recommended for planting
in the United States, nor could many
species OF the eucalypti be recommended
except eucalypti corYnscalyX. common
ly called sugar gum. This specie of euca-
lYpti is peculiar to south Australia.
especially Kangaroo island, but has been
largely planted in the state forests in that
colony. and its rapid growth has been
the subject of much comment during the
past decade. Many of the sugar gum