THE WORK OF THE TRAPPISTS AT THE THREE FOUNTAINS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIII, Issue 26, 23 October 1885, Page 9

THE WORK OF THE TRAPPISTS AT THE THREE FOUNTAINS.

Attention has been directed to the w rk of the Trappists in the desolate and mal iia-breeding lands at the Three Fountains by a Dr. Crudeli, wbo denies to the Eucah ptus tn-e abundantly planted there, the qualities attributed to it by the '1 rappists. Father Franchino, of this Order, in his reply to Dr. Crudeli, shows the condition of the Three Fountains prior to the planting of the Eucalyptus and since. In 1869 that locality was a humid uncultivated valley, which it was dangerous to pass through, even in the day time, on account of the miasma given forth by the soil. Now it has become a healthy and smiling gard> n, where there is no fear of fever, but which is beneficul rather than perilous to heal h. Ttns change is owing wholly to the labor of the Trappists and to the planting and growth of the Eucalyptus. Many of these monks fell vicims to malarial fever in the years they weie engaged in planting and cu.tiva'ing the soil. In the summer months they reium d to Home for it was almost certain death to pSs a night in this spot. In 1875 they began to dwell at the Three F'Ui.tainsduiing the summer, and although several became afflicted with ft ver, the d'-aihs weie few. Aftei wards the danger diminished, and ihe monks were saved from further attacks. Not only they, but a penal colony with guards and keepers, numbering three hunnred pers ns, live here and enj ty excellent health in a spot which, a few year-* atro, was a deflate sepulchre. It is to the planting of the Eucalyptus that thin change is o^ina:. It conquers and destroys the malaria pi oduced in humid and ill-kept soils. It absorbß humidity in its raj id growth and development. The passage of malaria on scitncco winds isctierked by these tree-*, of which 125,000 are planted here. The tree is also usi ful in commerce. An exquisite febrifuge liqueur is distilled from its leaves ; it supplies a remarkable tooth powder; the wood of the tree is of much value; its baik fnrnishes an esc -1 1 • ■n r substitute f >r >> iit-n irk in tanning ; and several medicines, all febrifuges, are m ide from vauous preparUions of ihe bark and leaves. A hide tanned b\ m"ans of the bark of this tree is now at the Antwerp Exhibition. 'h is the work accomplished within a few years by tli - d v .fon, self-sacrifice and labor of the Trappist Fathers at the 1 me ■ F uiuti'ns.