THE BLUE GUM.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1337, 25 January 1881, Page 3

THE BLUE GUM.

Nkw Zealand readers ought to know how fatuous the blue gum is becoming at the other end of the world. The following is from the Naples coriospoiulont of the Bail (i News :— "Tins healthful tree is destined to play a great part in the improvement of Italian soil. Senator Torelli, in hi 3 project for draining and improving the malaria districts through which so many Italian railway lines run, indicates the planting of the eucalyptus as a principal means to this end. Private persons and railway companies have made trial of various species of this tree, aud in all cases the result has been most beneficial. In North Italy the eucalyptus gmygdaUna has succeeded well in exposed places. A most magnificent example of this species may be seen in the garden of Prince Troubtzkoi, near J ntra. The tree is ten years old, and measures fjve feet in diameter, and about OQ feet in height. In 1870 the Railway Company Alta Italia planted 462 trees at Ventimiglia, since which time the sanitary condition of that place has greatly improved. At Santa Severa, one of the unhealthiest places, the globultu has already had a beneficial effect The largest field of experiment, however, is the Tre Fontane three kilometres outside Porta Ostriense, where the Tr-appists monks aided by the State have fought against the malaria. In 1868 the air of this place especially at the monastry, was so deadly that to pass a night there was to catch a fever. The monasty was known by the name of 'The .Tomb.' In 1869-1870 the Trappists made drains and planted the eucalyptus, going during the four years, to pass their nights at fto'nie, in which space of time they lost 1? of their number by mia*matic'fever.' At the end of four years they could again sleep at 'The Tomb,' and last year a large concession of territory was made to them, with the obligation that they should plant IOQ.OQO eucalyptus trees in ten years, Senator Torelli defines the eucalyptus as a natural pump i • and it io proved that it ab- 4 " sorbs 10 times its own weight of waterj which isreturaed to the atmosphere in fche ■hape^bf, vapours rloh, in ca.tnp>>r.t f/ 4) Gapfyk Spgn^rd, who was a^qyed r {b.y:. the mojtqttitoe^in AJgeria, t tried the effect Q||l*atinj ( | finall, woalyptua in a pot i

and placing it in his bedroom, and it drove them all away. It is proposed to make the planting of this tree in infected districts of Italy obligatory by law."

The Bruce Herald says that the folk who patronise the various games on local show grounds, are not aware that the average day's takings of any one of the "chance," men are seldom under £40. Unfair Riding.— The following ingenious suggestion is made by a correspondent of the New York Herald :— "You recently called attention to an evil which exists in connection with the racing tracks of both England and America—viz., the unfair riding of horßes by faithlesi jockeys. There is unquestionably a deep-rooted feeling in the minds of by far the larger number of the ordinary visitors to a race track that it is customary to ai range certain races in the interests of certain owners and betting men. One simple remedy ia to increase the surveilance over the jockeys while riding a race, and to that end I beg leave to submit the following suggestions : Erect one or more stands, to be used as points of observation during the progress of a race, and at each of these stanaa place Borne one who may be relied upon to detect and report any false riding or other suspicious action on the part of jockeys. The pulling of horses generally occurs on the part of the track furthest from the principal stands, and where it is difficult see what is going on ; the location ot these observation stations around the course would effectually cbviate this, and tend to allay the suspicions of a great number of very respectable people, who will continue to take pleasure in seeing good hoi hes run f.iir races. " According to the Lyons Mcdi&ilc, the marriageable age in Austria is fourteen foe both sexes ; in Germany, eighteen for men and fourteen for women ; in Belgium, eighteen for men and fifteen for woman ; in Spain, fourteen for men and twelve for women ; in France, eighteen for men and fifteen for women ; in Greece, fourteen for men and twelve for women ; in Catholic Hungary, fourteen for men and twelvejfor women ; in Protebtant Hungary, 18 for men and fifteen for women ; in ftaly, eighteen for men and fifteen for women ; in Portugal, fourteen for men and twelve for women ; in Russia, Roumania, and Saxony, eighteen for men and sixteen for women. A Pretty Franco- American story. — During the last year I was in Paris I heard a very pretty story. A party of merry, bright-eyed American girls were at a window looking on to a courtyard. Soon a seemingly old man crossed the yard. " That's the Marquis of X," said one of the girls. "He lives in a garret of the house, and lives by giving French lessons." " I'll begin lessons with him tomorrow," said one of the youngest girls. And she did ao. She soon perceived that her master was one of tho most polished men she had ever met. He was not over thirty ; want and grief alone had bent him into premature old age, for he had an a^ed and sick mother to keep, which his enininga could not always do. What did our little American girl do ? SI « quietly proposed to marry the marquis, i need not tell you how readily he accepted. This is the happiest maniage between a poor French nobleman and a rich American .girl that I know of. I cau give thp number of the house and tho street where the first act of tbis comedy tooic place. The Marquis walks now at. straight as anyone, and the dowagor Marchioness, may frequently be seen at the Bois, sitting by the side of her brilliant daughter-in-law, whom she worships, as well bhe may.— Paris Lady Correspondent.