Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-19
:38

The proximity or the IainlhS may
cause a much greater increase. 1t is
entirely probable that the prices to be
realized will be twice the present
values.
The question regarding the general
utility of Eucalyptus is one which is
attracting great attention at the pres
ent time. Here is tree which VIII
grow in ten years to lumber proper
tions-the only hardwood tree in the
world which will do this. 1t attains in
ten years a growth equal to that OIL
other hard woods in go to 100 years.
It produces a timber which is hard,
durable and beautiful. The common
blue-gum Eucalyptus GlobulIs) which
is the most plentiful species growing
in California, possesses grain Wnlch
when properly sawed and hnlshed, is
as beautiful as mahogany. But IL is
vastly superior to mahogany, because
it possesses the hardness of hickory
This tree not only possesses the quail
ificatiOns necessary for beautltul
wood, but for a most durable WOOD
E. Rostrata and E. Tereticornls are
dark-similar to mahogany In Color
Corynocalyx is similar to maple In
color. All of them are hard. The
Tereticornis and Rostrata are the most
durable woods known for use in the
ground. Fence posts, telegraph poles
and railroad ties have records OF ~
to so years, without showing much
decay.
For a number of years few saw
mills in California have been saving
and selling Eucalyptus LUMBER. Ihey
have grown rich. Here is a Woou
which brings as high price as OAK
hickory and mahogany; 1t fills the
same requirements, in fact II is better
than either. Teamsters will pay more
for a eucalyptus double-tree than tor
hickory. House builders will pay
more for a eucalyptus floor than Tor
maple or oak. They know 1t Is better.
The general use of this wood mas
been constantly increasing for many
years. 1t is largely imported from
Australia, and when laid down mere
costs d wholesale price of from $40 To
300 per THOUSAND. Modern buildings
have been trimmed with it-beautltul
homes finished with this ideal wood
floors, furniture, wagons, ploWs, elec-
tric cars, ships, bridges, wharts'
fences. tool handles, pulleys and ever
policemen's billies are made from 1t.
The only regret which this nation
should have is that the available ter
ritory in which the eucalyptus VIII
grow is so limited. 1t practically does
not extend beyond the boundary
of the citrus belt. If the entire state
of California, including all the noun
forest of eucalyptus we could not sup
ply the demand which exceeds the
present growth. AS a matter OF fact:
less than one-twentieth of the state OF
California could possibly be planted.
If we should plant 1900 square miles
which is one-twentieth of the area OF
this state-we would have under cul-
tivation an acreage equal to the hard-
wood area cut over every nine months.
II is possible that the artificial planta-
tions being planted this season VIII
equal ten square miles. 1t Is hardly
probable that the planting Will eX-
ceed twenty square miles in any one
wear. At this rate we will have TO
keen on planting for over 300 years in
order to plant one-twentieth of the
state This is a physical impossibility,
because agriculture and horticulture
are utilizing our lands, AMI will al
ways demand their proportion, thus
leaving comparatively little suitable
land for Eucalyptus planters.
1t would be possible for our Euca-
lyptus Idol to avert the hardwood
famine if we could plant the entire
state within the next three years. The
Idol is not at fault, but our ability 10
take advantage of its wonderful at
tributes is limited to our nursery IA
cilties, available acres and Wiling
purses. The nation is saved from Ut
ter destitution of hardwood and the
famine is less dreadful to contemplate
-averted for a time.
Let US grave the features of Mr.
Reimer in eucalyptus wood and place
it over the fireplace as reminder that
he has given us the opportunity to
supply hardwood when it will be need
ed most and to add to our personal