Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1910-07-08

SOuhtEy the WOOD mas long Deen used
for every conceivable purpose, and
there are eucalyptus trees still growing
which ara 500 years old, having diam
eter of 36 feet. In addition to being
the fastest growing trees known, the
eucalyptus, with the single exception
of the Sequoia gigantea of California,
attains the greatest height and girth.
But fortunately for California, it is not
necessary to go to Australia to study
the tree and the conditions under which
it thrives best. In this state are many
groves, some of them the oldest-hav-
ing attained an age of go years. Sail
ing masters Of the early gold days
brought sprouts from Australia and the
tree was introduced into California.
The distribution ofleucalyptus through
out the state is now so general that it
is possible to ascertain by actual in
spection just where the tree finds its
happiest conditions. California has
been playing with this treasure for a
long time, while understanding very
little of its value.
Australia Mahogany.
Australian mahogany" has com
manded good price in the local mar
kets for years such of it as came to
this country but only now are the men
who sold and handled the imported wood
finding out that Australian mahog-
any" is merely the seasoned wood of
exactly such trees as grow in many
spots about San Francisco bay. The
mature wood, when seasoned, is almost
as hard as iron.
Californians know most about the
wood of the eucalyptus from having
burned it in their stoves. 1t was
known to be excellent for fuel purposes
but up to the present time its higher
uses have been practically unknown.
In the future little eucalyptus wood
will be sacrificed. The tree will make
good fuel when it is or 5 years old,
but it is staple hardwood at from 8 to
10 years, and is worth many times more
to the makers of piano cases and auto
mobiles than at the woodward. Special
milling machinery is necessary for re-
ducing and dressing the eucalyptus
logs. Such mills are springing up in
California and will increase as rapidly
as there is raw product for the saws.
Pointers on Eucalyptus.
The agricultural experiment station
of the University of California has ably
supplemented the work of the federal
bureau in investigating and testing
eucalyptus and in providing reliable |
literature upon the subject. In bulletin
No. 1876, issued by the experimen sta
lion, is found the following answer to
several pertinent questions:
'The question 10 asked by many, /
From what kind of land will the eu-
;alyptus return the greatest profit in
the shortest timer The answer is, the
pest land that it is possible to buy,
With the grove under the most correct
treatment. This idea is too prevalent
hat eucalyptus growing is exclusively
proposition for cheap, dry or poor
and. 1t is true that the trees, especi- 1
lilly certain species, will live and grow
'airly well under conditions where no
'ther crop could be considered, and if /
he object is merely the utilization Of
Iuch land to the best advantage, eu-
'rlyptus planting may be wise and
profitable. For one, how /
'ver, who is buying land for this pur-
'ose, or one who has already fairly
sood land capable of irrigation or
naturally moist, it is becoming more
md more apparent that good land, /
apable of culture and irrigation, will
'roduce far more profitable returns on
he investment by resason of the enor-
nously more rapid growth and greater
wood production Of the trees. Under
UGH conditions crop Of trees may be
reduced and marketed and the land