EUCALYPTUS PLANTATIONS IN ALGERIA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4137, 24 June 1874, Page 3

EUCALYPTUS PLANTATIONS IN ALGERIA.

[Erom the Pall Mall Gazette.] A correspondent writes to us as follows The eucalyptus, a tree of the myrtle family, was introduced from Australia into Algeria about eleven years ago, and flourished surprisingly. It was not, however, until within the last seven years that any extensive plantations were made. A few days since we made an excursion to visit those on the estates of M. Trottier, M. Kamel, and M. Cordier. The seeds from which these trees have grown wore mostly sent by Mr. Edward Wilson, whose persistent generosity in aid of all efforts for acclimatisation cannot be too gratefully acknowledged. On M. Trottier’s estate at Hussein Day' we walked under tall trees, the Eucalyptus globulus (bluegum tree), on an average 50 feet high, which seven years ago were planted with seeds not so big as a mustard seed. This particular plantation was on bad soil, and had not had very experienced care, yet the growth of the trees was marvellous. I measured these trees as I walked along, and found them from 40in. to 45in. in circumference, those on the borders of the wood always, of course, a few inches larger. M. Trottier thinks the red gum, Eucalyptus resinferoua, which is not yet planted in any 'n-eat numbers, will be the most hardy tree, and consequently beat suited to the neighborhood of Algiers ; one red gum which I measured was 81in. in circumference, and its a"-o just six years, having been sown in Eebruary, 1808. This tree was in the perfection of health, and the same may bo said of all the eucalyptus trees in the plain. All the large plantations in Algeria are the Eucalyptus globulus, but as time goes on varieties are being tried. On Hr. Cordier's magnificently wooded farm in the dismal region of the Maison Caree wo saw 100 different kinds of eucalyptus We were accompanied by some gentlemen who were the principal authorities on trees in this colony, and they seemed to expect much from the E. Colosea, which is a hardier tree in the sun than the globulus, and- is already growing in the desert at Lagouat. M. Cordier showed us one E. globulus which was eleven years old and measured 81 inches in circumference, and ho told me of some at Bonfarik in the plain which were some inches larger and not so old. There seemed to be a general impression that the eucalyptus was a fever-de-stroying tree, and of the greatest importance to the colony from that point of view ; hut as general culture goes _ on, as well as plantations, the sanitary improvement in the plain ought not at all to be set down as certainly due to the Eucalyptus globulus. The aromatic odours of those gum-tree plantations in the dismal part of the plain at the mouth of the fever-breeding river Harach instead of the malaria vapours is certainly an incalculable benefit; but I will not assert positively that the fever is destroyed. If the growing forests arc judiciously managed, they must be a source, in fourteen or fifteen years, of great profit, as wood is very dear here, and the eucalyptus is a fine hard wood, and makes excellent sleepers for railways, and is useful in all places where a sound wood that will stand damp is required. We walked in the four-year-old plantations at Maison Carrdo, where are 20,000 gum trees on 00 acres of unhealthy soil ; these trees are now from 14 feet to 20 feet high, and look as if they would grow to largo forest trees after their fashion in about six years more. Our opinion is that the eucalyptus tree may prove the most powerful element of civilisation as yet put in force on the coast of North Africa ; that in a very few years it will bo self-sowing, and thus take its place as a naturalised subject, there is very little reason to doubt. At Cannes, on Lord Brougham’s grounds, the young trees come up from the seed of the old ones under their branches, and in a few years wo may confidently expect the same process to take place in Algeria. This year the seed ripens plentifully on the seven-year-old trees. Thus in a few years wo may see the one thing most longed for on the Bar-

bary coast—that is, shade from the fierce sun. We may also have a profitable crop, and the healthy influence of these resinous-scented gum trees as a counter-action against malaria. The eucalyptus tribe seems to meet not only the requirements of health, comfort, and pleasure, but of commerce and general prosperity.