Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-01-05

eucalyptus which now are unoccupied ~
are used Only as grazing lands, sufficient
to produce in twenty years, If planted
now. all the hard wood lumber needed in
the United States. This may seem a
strong statement, but 1t is nevertheless
true. Riverside county has available
lands sufficient to supply all Southern
California with its hard lumber for all
time to come.
Eucalyptus is one of the hardest woods
known. 1t takes on a high polish and IS
one of the most durable of woods. but al
the same time is one of the most rapidly
growing of trees known.
There are now being cut in this stata
groves twenty-five years old which yield
an average of 1000 feet of good lumber to
the tree, worth in the market $40 per 1000
feet, and on the stump from SIS to slOO
per 1000 feet. In addition to the timber
value of the trees is an item of from $40
to $50 a tree for cordwood obtained from
the portions of the tree unfit for lumber
AS there are 2U0 timber trees to the acre.
1t readily may he seen that the profit is
enormous.
Varieties Numerous
There are many varieties of eucalyptus.
all natives Of Australia, but the eucalyp-
tus rostrata or red gum. commonly
known as the Australian mahogany, ow-
ing to its resemblance t. that valuable
wood, and IL eucalyptus gobulus. o.:
blue gum, are the specie best adapted -
the cultivation for lumber. and 1t Is these
varieties that haze been planted in the
Beaumont nurseries. The red gum is
most desirable for lumber purposes. ow.
ing to its magnificent color, which is
midway between mahogany and walnut
III. IL
a polish equal to mahogany.
When once thoroughly seasoned the
timber IS not affected by the elements.
Not only is the wood durable, but 1t is
strong and elastic, making a substitute
for hickory in Every respect equal to that
timber for all purposes. 1t has been
found most valuable for railway ties and
telegraph poles, and the Santa Fe Rail
way company has purchased large tracts
of land in San Diego county and has be
gun the planting of the trees for the pur-
pose of raising its ties and poles. AI-
ready about 100000 trees have been
planted and many more will be set at
once. 1t Is stated that The Hartman lines
are preparing to do likewise.
One popularity of the eucalyptus is its
tenac.ty 10 life. The cutting of the tres
does not destroy IT. but from the stump
spring several stroni< shoots. more
thrifty and rapid OF growth than the
original plant, because of the greater ex-
panse of roots.
In growing tree for profit about 500 are
set to the acre At the end of six or
seven years these have attained a size
adaptable to ties and poles as we'll as
for posts and stovewood. Three-tifths
OF the trees are then cut for such pur-
poses. reservinf 200 of the straightest and
best for the growing or timber for lumber
While these lumber trees are growing,
several crops of wood and ties may 90
taken and a new lot of timber trees
may be started to replace the old ones
when they coma to be slaughtered.
Supply Limited
Hon. Eiwood Cooper of Santa Barbara
has eucalyptus groves about twenty five
years old. He says he cuts off $3.50 worth
of timber per acre each year and canno.
tell from the appearance of the grove
whence 1t has been taken.
At present the merchantable supply oe
timber in the United States is estimated
at 1000, 600. OOO 600 feet. There are 21,OOO
sawmills eating up this timber SO rapidly
that the government bureau of forestry
estimates that the forests will have dis
appeared in twenty years Maple, oak.
hickory. walnut and other hard woods