Page:On the characters, properties, and uses of Eucalyptus globulus and other species of Eucalyptus.djvu/9

 important properties and uses to be presently noticed, has naturally excited much interest; and various attempts have been made to introduce it in different parts of the globe thought to be suitable for its growth and development. These attempts have been attended, as already noticed, with considerable success; and it is now more or less successfully cultivated in various parts of Southern Europe—as France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Italy; also in Palestine, various uplands of India; in parts of North and South America; at Natal, and other places in South Africa; in Cuba, St. Helena, Egypt, Corsica, and Algeria. It has also been introduced into New Zealand, and is said to grow tolerably well in sheltered situations in the island of Jersey, and also in some parts of South Devon and elsewhere in the south and west of England; but the plants, except under very exceptional circumstances, are not likely to withstand the winter in this country. It has, however, been stated lately in 'The Times' that some Eucalypti had been grown in the open air at East Grinstead, Sussex, and that they had survived two winters without any protection. Several other instances have also been mentioned of plants having survived the winter in this country; but it is not probable that this species of Eucalyptus will ever become naturalized with us. Even in Italy, as it has recently been stated as a proof of the Eucalyptus requiring a climate where the temperature is never below the freezing-point, of all the trees planted by the Roman Railway Company along the line from Rome to Naples, only those plants in the neighbourhood of Naples have survived through the winter. It is also said that the tree is so extremely tender when young that, even when sheltered from wind and cold, it cannot resist a temperature lower than 27° Fahr. It would probably succeed admirably in the swampy regions of the west coast of Africa; and as these countries have been now opened out by the indomitable pluck of our brave soldiers, it is hoped that the experiment will be soon made on an extensive scale.

Seed for this purpose could be readily obtained from Australia; indeed the exportation of Eucalyptus seeds is already carried on to a large extent from this country. At present but little seed could probably be obtained from trees acclimatized in other parts of the world, although in a few years it will become very plentiful, as the tree begins to yield seed plentifully when about seven years old.

Various circumstances combine to facilitate the transportation of these seeds—as their natural dryness and minuteness; and the seedlings can be raised with great facility and quickness, requiring