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About Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 18, 1910)
N THESE days , when the reforest ing of the waste lauds of our country Is becoming a question of such national Importance , the study of the relative value of dif ferent species of trees Is naturally very essential. Scientific parties are scouring the earth In search for new plants , fruits and vegetables to add to our enjoyment and happiness A good degree of success has already attended their ef forts , and doubtless much more will yet be ac complished by them. Owing to the rapidly Increased price of timber and lumber , the matter of forest-grow ing Is of vital Interest to the great corpora tions llko the railroads , manufacturing and building companies , that must have , for their very existence , vast quantities of timber and lumber. The timber required by the railroads for the ono Item of railroad ties , not taking Into consideration the quantity used In the con \ struction of cars and buildings , consumes the output of many hundreds of thousands of acres of timber lauds every year. While undoubtedly the valuable trees In digenous to America will bo most largely re planted and utilized , many others that are not natives of this continent , when found by ex periment to be easily giown and of value , will also bo Imported and largely cultivated. In the case of the eucalyptus this has already been done , and so extensively Is the tree now grown In California , and so many and valued are Its uses , that It will bo news to multitudes to hear that there still live many who remem ber when It was first brought Into that state by the late Bishop Taylor from distant Aus tralia , Us original home. It was a surprise , aa well as a revelation , to find on our recent visit to Australia that in that far-away land , under the Southern Cross , were growing trees that towered In the air 150 feet higher than the great Sequoia , the famous red wood of our American west ; and yet such Is the fact , as some specimens of the Eucalyp tus amygdallna reach to the great height of 480 feet. Specimens abound that are from 120 to 200 feet In circumference. They are prac tically of no use for commercial purposes , as the expense of cutting down such enormous trees and then getting their logs split up Into pieces that can bo handled Is so great that these monsters are passed by the thrifty lum bermen for the smaller ones that are moro easily handled. The Eucalyptus arnygdalina Is the tallest , if Got perhaps the largest , tree that giows. Speci mens over 400 feet high are frequently found , while some have been measured towering up to 470 and 480 feet. The timber of these great specimens Is easily worked , and , as it does not warp readily , Is much used In carpentry. The eucalyptus tree Is a genus of trees and ehrubs of the natural order of Myrtacea , em bracing about ICO species All but four of them are natives of Australia and Tasmania only. The eucalyptus trees are BO abundant In many parts of Australia that over vast areas they are practically the only trees visible. The fact that the fully developed trees are desti tute of symmetry and beauty robs the great Australian wooded icglons of that attractive ness and charm which gives such pleasure and delight to the primeval forests of America. Ono striking characteristic of several varie ties of the eucalyptus Is that , while they never seem to shed their leaves , they cast or slough off their bark In long strips every year. The leaves , which have a leathery nppoarance , con tain a considerable quantity of volatile oil. The tincture or oil cxtiacted Irom them has a bit ter aromatic taste and la extensively used as a remedy for various diseases. On the young shoots of many species the leaves in pairs ate oppobito to ouch other , aa Vhey appear on ordinary plants , while on the older blanches the leaves nro arranged alter nately and grow In such a way ilut they pro- Kent their edges to the sun. This seems to bo nature's provision to protect them frooa tbo G2.0&ULV3 THE life , nnd shunned and feared , nro now the abodes of numbers of people who find , since the Introduction of the eucalyptus trees , but llttlo traces of the dreaded malaria that for ages once caused those regions to bo BO shunned and deserted. In the low malarial regions around the Capo of Good Hope nnd in some similar unhealthful regions around Algiers anil elsewhere , the Bamo benlflccnt results have followed the Intro- Intense heat of the tropical sun of those lands where they most flourish. The Eucalyptus globulus , generally called the blue gum , from Its bluish-green leaves , Is the variety most successfully grown In Callfor- nit. It has also been introduced and flourishes In India , Natal , Egypt , Algeria , and in various parts of southern Europe nnd in some other warm countries. It cannot stand the frost , and so must bo classed among tropical trees. Per haps only In the state of Florida and Califor nia can wo expect to see it In perfection in this country ; yet although its introduction into California has been of but recent date , already its value to that state has been very consider able. Some of the species of eucalyptus are much moro valuable than others. There Is also a great diversity both in their appearance and worth. Ono of the most valuable is the Euca lyptus marglnata , popularly called the Jarrah wood. It grows to a great size and Us tim ber is so hard that it is found to bo especial ly valuable In the construction of wharves , as It resists the attack of the ship worms nnd borers that are so destructive to ordinary wood. Because of this quality it also enters largely Into the construction of ships and Is ultlllzei In other marine uses. Some varieties of the eucalyptus yield a kind of astringent gum or resin called Vine , while from others a species of manna a hard little , sweet substance Is obtained In consid erable quantities. As an antidote against ma laria and as being valuable In warding off or dissipating malaria In regions where malaria abounds , the eucalyptus has obtained a con siderable reputation Expert opinions fieem to be divided as to the way in which Its benefi cent results come about. Some think it Is thy : esult of the volatile oils which these trees glvo off through their leaves , acting as a neu tralizing nnd even destructive power against the malarial matter In the atmosphere ; others maintain that Its beneficent results are caused by the fact of the trees being such rapid grow ers , and the great quantity of water they thus absorb and then glvo off purifies the atmo sphere. Whatever may bo the cause , the fact Is evident that their presence In goodly num bers , planted In malarial regions , has produced most beneficent results. The Koman Campagna especially has been greatly benefited , so much so that largo portions tions ouco considered almost fatal to human - ' * - * - * & * * p ? ' v * > * , * ductlon of the eucalyptus trees. As yet no variety has been discovered that is able to withstand even a moderate frost , but the fact that millions of these trees can bo raised BO easily and quickly in California and Florida and perhaps In the warm places on the Gulf of Mexico , nnd that Us timber can bo so widely utilized , la n matter for congratulation to nil who are Interested In the conservation of our forests and also In the introduction of now varieties of trees that will add to the timber wealth of the country. In general , eucalyptus may bo successfully planted In the sections of the United States suitable for the culture of citrus frullu. They are grown In nearly all the agricultural sec tions of California , along the coast of southern Oregon , and to a limited extent In Arizona. Now Mexico and western Texas. Several spo- clea have also been planted in Florida and along the Gulf coast. Here , however , occa sional frosts have killed or severely damaged the trees , nnd for this reason planting has been discouraged. The blue gum ( Eucalyptus globulus ) has a phenomenally rapid rate of growth. Seedlings stands will average n height growth of GO feet in C years and 100 feet In 10 years. Under very favorable conditions individual trees have reached a height of 125 feet and a diameter of 3G Inches In 9 years. In sprout stands growth Is even moro rapid ; trees frequently reach 3 Inches In diameter and 35 feet In height In 8 months , wh.Ho in 3 years a diameter of 7 inches nnd a height of 70 feet are often attained. In California , under favorable conditions , trees have attained a height of 175 feet and a di ameter of 5 feet in 25 years. Although soine- times irregular In form , the true tends to de velop a straight , gradually tapering , unforked stem. In plantations the trunks become rap idly cleared of branches to a considerable height , but in the open , trees branch moro widely and gradually develop n short crown of ransslve , spreading branches. Blue gum Is piactlcally Immune from dis ease. Where trees are reproduced by sprouts , the old stumps frequently decay HJowly at the heart , while the spiouts remained unaffected. Growing trees are not attacked by insect ene mies , but felled timber lying unbarkcd upon the ground is subject to Injury by a wood-rai ning insect. Blue gum rarely suffers any breakage of the limbs by winds , and the spreading root sys tem renders the trees very wind-firm. Flro Is the greatest source of Injury to eu calyptus plantations. Both the natural charac teristics of the trees and the conditions within planted groves render them peculiarly suscep tible to flro Injury. The laigo quantity of lit ter dry leaves , branches nnd uhrudded balk which accumulates beneath a stand Is extreme ly Inflammable. The bark of eucalyptus la BO thin that the trees are Injured oven by light surface fires. The wood of blue gum la very heavy , hard , strong and tough , but la not durable In contact with the Boll. It Is close-grained , and Is split with difficulty after It has dried. II. Is less elas tic than hickory , but It has been demonstrated by mechanical testa that seasoned blue gum. timber Is n llttlo Inferior In strength and stiff ness to the best second-growth hickory. In ap pearance It closely resembles the wood of hick ory nnd ash. Blue-gum timber la utilized for a great vari ety of purposes In California. The wood Is ex cellent for fuel , and In the trcolosa valleys haa boon the chief fuel supply for many years. In southern California the steady demand renders commercial planting for fuel very profitable. Eucalyptus timber has boon extensively used In California for wharf piling. Blue-gum piles are In use In nearly every port on the California coast , and extended trial has shown that they resist the attacks of marine borers which destroy - stroy timber In sea water longer than other species commonly used for piling. Blue-gum timber has also been used to some extent for fence posts and telephone polos. The wood Is not suitable for this purpose , however , on ac count of Its short llfo In the ground. Seasoned posts last a llttlo longer than green posts , and timber cut from the heart Is moro durable than sapwood. jilt gum timber has boon used to a limited extent to determine Its value for mllroad tics. The icsults thus far obtained Indicate that It compares favorably with second-grade plno-tlo timber. The lumber has been extensively used for vo- hlclo stock and for wooden parts of agricultural implements. It is also made Into Insulator pins for electric wiring , nnd is used lor furnlturo and cabinet work , hardwood flooring , trip-ham mer beams , the lovers of windlasses , and the blocking for oil and wlno presses , wood paving , pulley blocks and belt wheels. The extensive utilization of gum lumber has hitherto been prevented by the scanty supply of timber of merchantable size and by the diffi culty experienced In seasoning the lumber with out warping and checking. It Is believed , how ever , that In the seasoning of gum no greater difficulties will bo encountered than In Reason ing of any other hardwood of similar density and strength. A product of considerable importance derived from blue gum Is the oil distilled from the leaves. Eucalyptus oil Is recognized as a valu able drug and Is extensively used by pharma cists nnd physicians. In many valleys of California eucalyptus windbreaks are considered absolutely necessary to insure the successful production of crops. They have been most extensively used to safe guard citrus orchards from strong and do structlvo winds In southern California , hut they are now being established also for the pro tection of vinoyaida and orchards of deciduous fruits , olives and walnuts. The blue gum ex cels other species for windbreak purposes on account of Its height and the rapidity of Us growth. The tall shafts of the trees bend before fore the wind and act as a cushion to deflect It upward over the orchard , whereat * ordinary wind-break trees form a moro solid wall , and the wind draws downward , forming eddies near the leeward side. Eucalyptus icproduco readily by both needs and sprouts. The trees bear seed In abun dance annually , and under favorable conditions natural reproduction la freely estnbllshcd. Trees also Bprout vigorously from both the stump and the roots , cither after cutting or in icsponso to injury. In California commercial groves are almost Invailably reproduced by sprouts. * Plantations should bo started with young trees and not by direct sowing. The opinion is generally hold that eucalyptus seedlings are go dlfllcult to lalso , that their propagation is impracticable cxcop't for export nurserymen. In point of fact , blue gum la < yio of the most easily propagated species. LIKE HOCK. 'What have you to say to this charga of bigamy ; why did you have BO many ; wives ? " i "Well , jmlgo. I expected towood , out a few of thorn later. " RAW ECZEMA ON HANDS "I had oczonm ou my hands for ton years. I had thrco good doctors but none of them did any good. I then used ono box of Cutlcum Ointment and thrco bottles of Cutlcnra Resolvent and was completely cured. My handa were raw nil over , Insldo and out , and the eczema was spreading all over my body and limbs. Before I had used ona bottle , together with the Cutlcura Ointment , my cores were nearly healed over , and by the Umo I had used the third bottle , I wan entirely well. To any ono who has any skin or blood disease I would honestly ad- visa them to fool with nothing olno , but got Cutlcura and got well. My hands have never given mo the least bit of trouble up to now. "My daughter's hands this BUmmer nnrfnnMv raw with nczomtt. She could get nothing that would do them any good until cho tried Cutl cura , She used Cutlcum Resolvent and Cutlcura Ointment nnd In two weeks they were entirely cured. I have used Cutlcura for other mombora of my family and It always proved suc cessful. Mrs. M. E. Falln , Spoors Ferry , Va. , OcL 19 , 100D. " History Cleared Up. The third grade was "having his tory. " Forty youngsters were mo lting gucssea about the llfo and char * actor of the Father of His Country. when the teacher propounded a ques tion that stumped them all. "Why did Washington crosa the Delaware ? " Why , Indppfl ? Not a child could think of anything but the answer to the famous chicken problem : "To get on the other side , " and , of course. that wouldn't do. Then llttlo Annlo'a hand shot Into the air. Llttlo Annlo crosses the Delaware every summoi' herself , hence the bright Idea. . "Well , Annie ? " "Because ho wanted to got to Allan * tlo City. " Philadelphia Times. It Wouldn't Stretch. The assessor was doing the very best ho could , but the farmer waa shrewd and wary. "How many acres of farming land , have you ? " ho Inquired warily. , " 'Bout 20 , I guess , " said Roubon. "Twenty I Why , It looks to mo llko icaror 120. Como , now , can't you ln crcaso that a llttlo ? There are auroly more tlmii 20 acres In that tract Sup pose you stretch that a llttlo. " "Say , follcr , " said the farmer , "this ain't no rubber plantation. " Harper's Monthly. Fine School. "Your daughter should attend my. school of education. " "Sho shan't ! Shu's attended ono. and she's positively " % "Ah , hut I teach a now Bystom. When my pupils are asked to reclta they are trained to refuse. " A man's argument Is nearly always self convincing. A COOL And a Sure One. Tiio Dody Does Not Feel Heat Unpleasantly If it lias Proper Food 6rape = Niits People can llvo in a temperatura which feels from ton to twenty degrees cooler than their neighbors enjojf , by regulating the diet 1 The plan is to avoid meat entirely fet breakfast ; use a goodly allowan/co / of fruit , either fresh or cooked. Thfcn fol low with a saucer containing abo/it / four heaping tenspoonfuls of Grapi-.NutB , treated with n llttlo rich cream. lAdd to this about two slices of crisp toc/fet / with a meager amount of buttery rind ona cup of well-made Postal/ " By this selection of fopd thji bodily energy Is preserved , hot , car bonaceous foods ha n / eft out. The result is a vcr 'in rkod ujfrerenca in the tempernturo ot the * llody , dntl to this comfortable condition ] is addjjd the certainty of case and perfect ' tloiif for the food being digested Is quickly ' dlges'tivo machinery. Experience and experiment' ' In , . food , , Wd Its application to the hunjan ody nab brought out these fact3y.'vrhoy can bo made use of and add materially. to the comfort of the user. * t , Road the llttlo book , " /Tho RoadNo U'cllvllle , " in pkgs. "There's a Reason. "