Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1910-07-08
Second Growth Eucalyptus Trees from Old Stumps.

The growing of eucalyptus trees for
commercial purposes is rapidly defining
itself as an important industry in Cali
fornia. Seldom has action followed so
closely upon the heels of information.
The lure of eucalyptus culture is tn:
large and speedy returns which it prom
ises. The government, through the de-
partment of agriculture and its forestry
bureau, has been the prime mover in
ascertaining facts about eucalyptus in
its native Australia and in California,
the land of its adoption. The govern
ment has given out its findings through
official bulletins, and it is well that the
education of the people has been under
taken in this way, for the statements
of the rapidity with which the eucalyp-
tus mature and the profits awaiting the
grower are so surprising that they
might not be accepted as truthful with
out the governments stamp.
Study Timber Famine.
The experts of the department of ag-
riculture did not set out directly to in
vestigate eucalyptus, but rather to
study the threatened timber famine in
the United States and to learn what
offsets were to be had when there was
no more native hickory, oak, walnut,
ash or other hardwoods and when the
last of the pine and other soft woods
was going through the mills. Forester
Clifford Pinchott had declared that in 20
years the remaining lumber forests
would have been wiped out of existence
and that very real timber famine
would be on. The department of agri-
culture found that while not pleasant
prophet, Pinchott was a sound one.
Reforestralion was considered. Oak,
ash, hickory, walnut, pine and spruce
might be set out upon the denuded
areas but no mature trees could be ex-
pected under go years, and some of the
varieties would require 300 years to
make them ripe for the saw. The rem
edy was too slow to be effective; it
could not avert famine. South Amer
lea, Europe, and even Asia were asked
what they had to offer in the way of
lumber surplus. The answers were
wholly discouraging. Then it was that
the department set out to discover, if
possible, tree which, while possessing
all the valuable qualities of the native
hardwoods, would mature in much less
time. And thus the government came
at last to eucalyptus. Through the un-
emotional statements snch as character
ize government bulletins there creeps
an irrepressible enthusiasm which be-
speaks the belief of the investigators |
that they have made valuable find,
indeed.
Apparently, if the whole denuded |
forest area of the country might be
planted to the various eucalyptus the
timber famine could be averted, but, as
the department of agriculture says on
page of Forest Circular No. SO: cts
of frost restricts the plant
ing of eucalyptus in this country almost
entirely to the temperate valleys of
California.
Gives State Advantage.
This places California in the position
IF being able to supply about all the
hardwood which the United States will
De able to obtain over long period of
1ears. In fact, California is taking up
n earnest an industry which may en-
rage it proftably for all time. In one
# the department. bulletins a state
nent is made to the effect that the eu-
alyptus tree is so free of pests and
flights, and 50 Independent of variable
weather. conditions, while the market
or the product is so certain and profit
Ible, that very many of the present
ruit growers and vineysrdists of Cali
ornia could well afford to pull their
rees and vines out of the ground and
eplant to eucalyptus.
l. A,raRu.ls. a.. EE- - |