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N THESE days, when the reforest
ing of the waste lnnds of our
country is becoming a question of
euch 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
nlants. 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-growing
Is of vital interest to the great corpora
tions like the rallronds, 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 one 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 lands every year.
While undoubtedly the valuable trees in
digenous to America will be most largely re
planted and utilized, many others that are not
natives of this continent, when found by ex
periment to be easily grown and of value, will
also be imnorted and larsrelv 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 be news to multitudes
to hear that there still live many who remem
ber when it was first brought into that state
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Mr. William A. Itnflfonl will nwr
qiirxtlond and ttlvo nlvli' l'HKIC OP
COST on ll puhjpcta lpr(nliiln to the
milijnrt of building fnr tli renlers of
thin pnppr. On ai-rount of hlf wtdn rxpe
rlrnro n Kdltor, Author and Mnnufnn
turor, lip l. without donlit. the MKhput
ntitliorlty on all thpsp aulijootn. AiMrp
all lniijrlr to Wllllnm A. IUdford. No.
im Fifth Ave., CMcbko. 111., and only n
cloae two-opnt atatnp for reply.
exclusive of porches. This house Is
planned for finish in cement ntucco.
A wide porch with massive plllnra
extends across tlui front. This itself
Is a feature and affords a relief from,
the familiar porch columns one see
on every hand. Mastdvcnefta is the
Impression the porch gives. And the
outside . Vmney gives a hint of thf
id
ttCAL YTVJ : CAUFOtMA
by the late Bishop Taylor from distant Aus
tralia, its original home.
It was a surprise, as 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 lu 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 abounj 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 log3 split up into
pieces that can be handled is so great that
these monsters are passed by the thrifty lum
bermen for the smaller ones that are more
easily handled.
The Eucalyptus amygdallna Is the tallest, if
not perhaps the largest, tree that grows. Speci
mens over 400 feet high are frequently found,
while seme have been measured lowering 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.
1 The eucalyptus tree is a genus of trees and
shrubs of the natural order of Myrtacea, em
bracing about 150 specli3. All but four of
them are natives of Australia and Tasmania
only. The eucalyptus treej are o abundant
In many parts of Australia that over vast areas
Ihey are practically the only trees visible. The
fact that the fully developed trees are desti
tute of symmetry nnd beauty robs the great
Australian wooded regions of that attractive
ness and (.harm which gives such pleasure and
delight to the primeval forests of America.
One Ftriking characteristic of ftveral varie
ties of the eucalyptus is thai, while ihey uever
Beein to Khed thtlr leaves, they ca.-:t or slough
off their bark in ions fstrips every year. Tue
leaves, which have a leathery npp.'uranee. con
tain a considerable quantity of vok.;i!. oil. TUrf
tincture or oil extracted from th.'i:i has a bit
ter aromatic taste and in extensively ured as
a remedy for various dis'i:-e:J.
On the young elects Ml many sp'.-ci the
loaves in nairs are oppovit!.- Id ouch oier, us
they appear en nr.":i:::v.-y plants, v.
tfddei- branches hj leave :i are a;", i
iiuu-ly and grow in i:.vu .i way t'.i.i; hvy pre
sent their -Lg-.' to the :-:t.n. Tl.ii m e:a.-; to l-t
nature's piovision to ;i;ot"ft then, lioi.i li.t
1 a'.ier-
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 Califor
nit. It has also been Introduced and flourishes
in India, Natal, Egpt, Algeria, and in various
parts of southern Europe and in some other
warm countries. It cannot 6tand the frost, and
so must be classed among tropical trees. Per
haps only in the state of Florida and Califor
nia can we 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
more valuable than others. There is also a
great diversity both in their appearance and
worth One of the most valuable is the Euca
lyptus marglnata, popularly called the Jarrah
wood. It grows to a great size and its tim
oer is so hard that It la found to be especial
ly valuable in the construction of wharves, as
it resists the attack of the ship worms and
borers that are so destructive to ordinary wood.
Because of this quality it also enters largely
into the construction of ships and is ultlllzed
In other marine ues.
Some varieties of the eucalyplus yield a
kind of astringent gum or resin called Vino,
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 seem to
be divided as to the way in which Its benefi
cent results come cbout. Some think It is the
result of the volatile oils which these trees
give off through their leaves, acting as a neu
tralizing and even destructive power against
the maiatial waiter in the atmosphere; others
maintain that it .-, beneficent results are caused
l.y tin; tact of the trees b-lng such tapld grow
rrs?, and the great quantity of wafer they thus
;l!o:l) end then give o.t purifies the atmo-i.rlui-e.
. Wlnnvtr may be the cause, the fact
i.i fIUiit that tle-ir presence, in goodly num
bers, planted !n tualailal regions, liaH produced
I'.o: t LeneTccat re:;u!ts.
1 ha !'o;i Cuiitpi'qna especially bus been
g'c.Vly I r:n M'. d, :o n.uch ;o that largo por
tions cue j i on.- l.li red ala.ost fauil to human
SUCA1XPTU& 7Gf TTM
lire, and shunned and feared, are now the
abodes of numbers of people who find, since
the introduction of the eucalyptus trees, but
little traces of the dreaded malaria that for
ages once caused those regions to be so
shunned and deserted.
In the low malarial regions around the Cape
of Good Hope and in some similar unhealthful
regions around Algiers and elsewhere, the
same benlflcent results have followed the intro
duction 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 be
raised so easily and quickly In California and
Florida and perhaps in the warm places on the
Gulf of Mexico, and that its timber can he so
widely utilized, is a matter for congratulation
to all who are Interested in the conservation of
our forests and also in the introduction of new
varieties of trees that will add to the timber
wealth of the country.
la general, eucalyptus may be successfully
planted in the sections of the United States
suitable for the culture of citrus fruits. 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.
New Mexico and western Texas. Several spe
cies have also been planted in Florida and
along the Gulf coast. Here, however, occa
sional frosts have killed or severely damaged
the trees, and for this reason planting has
been discouraged.
The blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) has a
phenomenally rapid rate of growth. Seedlings
stands will average a height growth of 50 feet
in 6 years and 100 feet in 10 years. Under
very favorable conditions individual trees have
reached a height of 125 feet and a diameter of
30 Inches in 9 years. In sprout stands growth
is even more rapid; trees frequently reach 3
inches In diameter and 85 feet in height in 8
months, while in 3 years a diameter of 7 Inches
and a height of 70 feet are often attained. In
California, under favorable conditions, trees
have attained a height of 176 feet and a di
ameter of G feet in 25 years. Although some
times irregular in form, the tree 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 more"
widely and gradually develop a short crown
of massive, spreading branches.
Itlue gum is practically immune from dis
ease. Where trees are reproduced by sprouts,
tho old stumps frequently decay slowly at the
heart, while the eprouts remained unaffected.
Growing trees are not attacked by Insect ene
mies, but felled timber lyli'g unbarked upon
the ground is subject to injury by a wood-mining
Insect.
Hluo gum rarely suffers any breakage of tho
limbs by winds, and the spreading root sys
tem renders the trees very wind-firm.
Fire is tho greatest source of injury to eu
calyptus plantations. Moth the natural charac
terlstics of the trees and the conditions within
planted groves render them peculiarly suscep
tible to fire injury. The large quantity of lit
ter dry leaves, branches and shredded bark
which accumulates beneath a stand is extreme
ly Inflammable. The bark of eucalyptus is so
thin that tho trees are injured even by light
surface fires.
Tho woe 1 of blue gum ts very heavy, hard,
strong and tough, but is not durable In contact
with the soil. It Is close-grained, and is split
with difficulty after It has dried. It. Is less elas
tic than hickory, but It has boon demonstrated
by mechanical tests that reasoned blue gum
timber is a little- inferior In strength and stiff
ness to the best second-growth hickory. In ap
pearance it closely resembles the wood of hick
ory and ash. ,
Illue-guni timber Is utilized for a great vari
ety of purposes in California. Tho wood Is ex
cellent for fuel, and In the treclm valleys has
been the chief fuel supply for many yenrs. In
southern California the steady demand renders
commercial planting for fuel very profitable.
Eucalyptus timber has been extensively used In
California for wharf piling. Blue-gum piles are
in use in nearly every port on the California
coaBt, and extended trial has shown that they
resist the attackB of marine borers which de
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 poles. The wood is
not suitable for thH purpose, however, on ac
count of its short life In the ground. Seasoned
posts last a little longer than green posts, and
timber cut from tho heart la more durable than
sapwood. '
. Blue-gum timber has been used to a limited
extent to determine its value for railroad ties.
The results thus far obtained indicate that it
compares favorably with second-grade plne-tle
timber.
The lumber has been extensively used for ve
hicle stock and for wooden parts of agricultural
Implements. It is also made into insulator pins
for electric wiring, and is used for furniture
and cabinet work, hardwood flooring, trip-hammer
beams, the levers of windlasses, and the
blocking for oil and wine 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 elze 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 be encountered than In season
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 and physicians.
In many valleys of California eucalyptus
windbreaks are considered absolutely necessary
to Insure the successful production of crops.
They have been mcst extensively used to safe
guard citrus orchards from strong and de
structive winds in southern California, but they
nre now being established also for tho pro
tection of vineyards 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 its
growth. The tall shafts of tho trees bend be
fore the wind and net as a cushion to deflect it
upward over the orchard, whereas ordinary
wind-break trees form a mere solid wall, and
the wind draws downward, forming eddies near
the leeward side.
Eucalyptus reproduce readily by both seeds
and sprouts. The trees bear seed In abun
dance unnually, and under favorable conditions
natural reproduction Is freely established.
Trees also spiout vigorously from both the
stump and the roots, either after cutting or In
response to injury. In California commercial
groves are almost Invariably reproduced by
sprouts.
Plantations bhould be started with young
trees and not by direct sowing. The opinion
Is generally held that eucalyptus seedlings aro
eo didlcult to raise that their propagation Is
impracticable except for expert nurserymen.
In point of fact, blue gum is one of the most
easily propagated species.
Some general observations on home
building will not bo out of place for
the benefit of the intending builder
beforo describing the plan shown in
this connection. The longfelt want
for an artlstlcnlly eXpresseNl nnd con
veniently arranged smnll house Is be
ing filled. Tho man with $2,500 to
$5,000 which he wants to put into a
house can now have a cottage which
will. In design nnd plan, express his
individuality. And It la true that the
houso should reflect the taste of its
owner or occupant. Home builders
have como to realize that a house
should possess individuality without
being freakish. Tho hammer and saw
square box of a houso, or the fright
ful creation with eaves extending out
barely six Inches, never sells, let alone
being a place for a habitation. Archi
tects ns a rule nre putting forth their
best efforts In the line of designing
houses that will bo artistic and beau
tiful to look upon. The architect re
alizes that, first of all, the plan must
be arranged to meet the needs of the
family. The court of last fesort In
the planning of a house should not be
the architect, should not be the man
of tho houso. Tho final dictum must
be given and 1b given la most cases,
by the wife and mother. And pro
vided what she wants is within the
bounds of architectural ltudts, let her
have It, for she Is there the whole
livelong day and ought to have the
last say, as she will anyway. Anoth
er thing, the design will be influencod
by the cite the building is to occu-
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Second Floor Plan
great fireplace within, and tells its
own story of the cheery rooms of the'
house. Entrance is had into a good
sized hall, from which a stairway leads'
to the second floor. The living room,
is 21 feet long' and 15 feet 6 Inches
wide. The dining room back og the
living room is 14 feet wide and 16 feet
long. This room has a window seat.
The kitchen Is accessible to the din
ing room through a pantry of ample
size. On the second floor are four
bedrooms, each provided with
clothes closet and a bathroom.
The Albatross.
The power of flight possesed by
the albatross, that wanderer of tho
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py. These points decided, the restric
tions lie only In the materials to be
used, and the amount of money to be
spent It is safe to uso the mate
rials found In the immediate vicinity.
They will harmonize with the land
scape better. A brick house Is as
much out of place In the woods as a
log bungalow would be on a city
boulevard. Most houses are the re
sult of thought and study, and one
of the chief factors to be con
sidered is the site itself. There
should be a generous living room
placed so that It will have the bene-
Send Gcod Johc Dcuon Li:ia
Telegraphers Caid to Ce F.tsponiibic
for Quick Way That Stcries
Travel.
"Now that's sinictMng I've oftoa
wondered about," said the oM co.-imer-clal
traveler to a I'hUad'jlphU Lodger
man. -How do.' a new K'Ke travel
over the country so quicr'y? I've
beard tho exolanat'.cn that 't Is v.e
comiocrclal tnmUrs bo le"J
traveling there on the telegraph wire." j
"No; no one goes to the expense
that's on tho telcKranh company. You
It ' .-co, It's this way: The operators at
am a!l t'.io big telegraph centers over the
t.'-.er.i. i:rt : ;.t Is.;'! how If.-, .'-.!'
r. t .-...V.e a'iv , ,fi' r vfe if
tnv! c.: a t' r. :-.-'i "v,;-f.:v- -,v( fro-' country liavtj a speaking acquaintance
(it i i t'y ilrd th.-.t a br:rd re-.v s tory j with oar'i other. They call euch other
we le'-ri in PI i'.i-l a' -hia has reached !v f r t .names, though the chances are
f i I raadsej a'n' i l i f t s." 1 t'.ir.t tl'.ev haven't the slightest idea of
' Tl'.o exp'anat'.;;!! It: r! iiplr e lou-jV c ach other's appearance. During the
,-. I (,(. (,'M tele-TV -he". "It si;- ,ly 1 nU'.it the wires are often quiet. Now,
ti'"nns tat eVctr'c! y l fvtT than i snj-poro a tneseuge has Just ben sent
torn; wH'e : o ' v r t-wo'tng to ! from N"w York to this city; for the
"Frihco ou the rii rn i,! i:4:e was I time belnn there U nothing more to be
dispatched, and no other operator Is
trying to get the wire. In this case
the telegraph Instrument in Philadel
phia is likely to click off; 'Say, Jim, I
just heard a ne,w story. It's a good
oue.'
"When Jim gets Jack at Chicago or
Peto at St. Ioula on an Idle wire, the
new story Is passed along. And so in
a single night a cracking good story
may be passed from New York to San
Francisco.
"But I'm afraid that stories won't
circulate now as quickly as they used
to. You see, tho companies have
wakened up to tho fact that many of
their wires are ldlo during the night.
ninl so they have Instituted tho 'night
letter' service telegraphing at night
a 50-word message at the same price
that dispatches a 10-word message la
the day."
An Insinuation.
"Mary, Mary, take the parrot dowta-
stairs at once. The master has lost
his collar button." Christian Reg-
later
Pww mom TA -1
' TMsL!sj ' 'S
sea, is wonderful in the extreme. It
spends Its life, with the exception of a
few weeks given each year to nest
ing, entirely at sea, and is on the
wing practically all the time. Further
more, It does not progress by flap
ping Us wings as most birds do, but
seems to soar at will, rarely, if ever,
giving a stroke of the wing, seeming
to need no impetus. At nesting-time
which Is early In the year, the alba
tross repairs to some Isolated island
such as the Crozet islands In the
southern Indian ocean, Tristan da
Cunha, in the South Atlantic ocean.,
Here they congregate In thousands
building their nests and hatching and
rearing their young. The nests are
built on the ground In an open situ
ation. They are mound-like In appear-,
ance, and have a slight depression on'
the top. They are made of mud and'
grass, and about 18 Inches in height'
The albatross lays but one egg, which,
Is quite large, being from four to five
Inches in length. The shell ts rough,
creamy white In color, and speckled
with Dumerous brownish spots. When,
disturbed on the nest they clatter
their bills, making a very loud noise,
which, when taken up, by, thousands
of birds, becomes deafening.
First Floor Plan
At of tho afternoon sun. If possible. A
dining room Is well placed If it has a
good eastern exposure. The placing
of windows In groups of two or three
or more, klve a pleasing appearance
to tho side wallB, which form centers
of Interest thnt attract the eye. Case
ment windows are cheaper than the
double hung sash, give twice the ven
tilating nrea, and are very attractive
with their small square or diamond
panes which suggest protection to tho
Inmates from the inclement weather
without. Casement windows thoiikl
be made to open out. Windows should
always bo placed In two sides of a
room to furnish ventilation, if pos-t-lble.
The kitchen nnd nnntry win
dows should bi higher from the fl kt
than the oth'-T windows. In placing
windows and doors In a room, see
that suir.cient wall t pace Is left lor tha
furniture. Many u room has been
built in which space could not be
found for it lied. Have all the doors
and ;talr tread-i of hardwood if pos
sible They cost hvs than toft word
and rarpi'ti'., Mid fiom every stand
point of health, beauty, service and
economy In Uuie and labor of house
Let I li:g, are In.- tiiperior. Oak .nd
maple m::ke the Iji'tt i'.oors, but hard
comb gri'ln ilne lloors are qulLe pre
sentable If t'ie better ones are not ob
tainable. Now as to the design of the house
shown here In ire It la 30 feet
Incaes wide and 34 feet 0 inches long,
A Humble Invention.
To forgot the inventions of the hour
Is an impossibility. They are beforo
one at every turn, and many of them
contain possibilities vast and much
discussed. For that reason It Is well
occasionally to contenmlato soma in
vention of the past which works un
remittingly and Inconspicuously for
the welfare of mankind. Consider the
air brake. How many, when they take
a journey by rail, ever take thought
of tho device which stands ready to
Insure safety from possible accidents t
All are bo used to the sibilant noise
below the cars that they never consid
er Its portentousness. Yet by this ap
plication of the power of compressed
air, tens of thousands of lives have
been preserved, and railroad travel has
bien mado more expeditious. All this
Is arrant truism; not a word of it but
vnat has been said scores of tlmea
before. Hut we like to dwell upon
the air brake as one of those typical
inventions which are doing their work
faithfully and humbly while recent
erections get the glory and applause.-
1'ollier'n.
The Russian Jewels.
The Bplendor of the Russian Jewela
exceeds all powers of description; we
know that Catherine the Great's coro
nation rcbe was so heavily laden with
gems that it took twelve chamberlains
to nipport It. The czar's throne,
which belonged to the last emperor
of Constantinople, Is of finest Ivory'
studded with ireclotis stones, and;
that of the tr.rtna contains 1,223
rubles and S'i diamonds, basldasv
pearls and turquoises.