Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-16
CALIFORNIA.
HER SUPERB DISPLAY AT THE
EXPOSITION.
A Valuable Library = Photography
on the Pacific Coast and in the
-Wooiens, Etc.
New Orleans States

In an article in the Daily States a few
weeks since, an outline was given of the
leading features of the California exhibit,
and as since then a vast number of addi-
tons have been made, the time is now ripe
for continuance of this very interesting
subject.
On the former occasion, and for excellent
reasons, the headquarters were not ready
for the reception of guests. Two hand
some. lofty and cheerful rooms, brightly
curtained and tastefully furnished, now
form very desirable place of CALL not
only for visiting Californians, but for all
who care to avail themselves of the pleas
ant welcome always extended to strangers
by Commissioner Turrill. Probably the
most conspicuous feature here is really
fine library of the publications of the re-
nowned firm of A. L. Bancroft & Co.. San
Francisco. This firm enjoy national rep
utation, and although most of their books
treat on subjects connected with the Pacific
and Western States, their admirable facili-
ties and the completeness and the economy
of their system have on many notable oc-
casions tempted Eastern authors to resort
to them for publication.
In their Educational Department, the
same firm shows botanical, geographical
and other charts; maps of California and
of the world school apparatus, etc. Then
there is very complete and admirably ar
ranged set of school books, readers manu-
ais, etc. The ntdg'luni opus of this great
firm is. however, the % History of the Pa
cific Coast States and Territories" by HUI
bert Howe Bancroft, the founder of the
house. This noble work is still in pro-
gress, but forty volumes have already been
published. In their compilation no less
than 1900 authors were consulted Mr.
Bancroft has the largest and most valuable
library and manuscript collection in the
country on Pacific coast subjects. He has
practically ransacked the world in getting
them together.
The walls of the room are adorned with
some exceedingly clever oil paintings by S.
NJ. Brookes, representing punches of
grapes, apples and remarkably natural
mans hand, which has been greatly praised
by good JUDGES and artists.
t. NJ. Antisell, of San Francisco, sup
plies an upright grand piano that received
the gold medal here last year and many a
visitor has sighed with satisfaction reclin-
ing on Rundelfs combined camp chair and
bed, in the corner.
1t is now high time to leave these hos
pitable quarters and TO refer to the botani-
cal display collected and arranged by Mr.
and Mrs. J. q. Lennon. 1t contains 1000
specimens, and has been arranged with ex-
traordinary skill and patience All the
native plants of the Pacific coast are to be
seen mounted on cardboard, and a feature
has been made of the honey producing
and medicinal varieties.
Forage plants, grasses, ETC., are all in
their place. There are several remarkable
specimens OF the Darlingtonia Cdliforaica,
an lnsecuvorous plant-a natural fiy-trap
which sometimes grows large enough to
catch numming-birds as we'll The elabo-
rate system of deception by which the VIC
tim is ensnared into the lower portion of
the plant, from which there is no return
ing, is wonderful beyond description. The
plant thrives upon its prey thus captured.
1t IS quite rare, and is found in the high
regions of Sierra Nevada.
Among the new and rare varieties must
be noted the native potato, discovered in
Arizona by Mr.. Lennon. This is the first
ever found in North America, and potato
cultivators are now experimenting with it
with view to bringing the new blood into
the potato family, and so warding off many
of the diseases to which the old varieties
are subject through generalization. Ferns
are here in great variety. Mrs Lennon
contributes to this department a set of very
beautiful water-color paintings, including
snow plant" one of the truest and
most accurate ever seen. On leaving the
Botanical Department the exhibits of pho
tographs at once attract the eye.
The work of the studio of Taber, of San !
CISCO, is here in every conceivable va |
fra''- as of California scenery are |
f faithfully depicted, any. beneath the noble dIe
SET of views of the Yosemite vau-s, f.00o
ieet above the sea, Commissioner Turrin !
has placed a scale model of geological |
survey, which forms an excellent adjunct.
Messrs. Taber's exhibit contains life-like |
portraits of Governor Stanford, President |
of the Southern Pacific Company; of Vice |
President Charles Croker, and other en- |
inent men, and views of many of the |
prominent buildings and institutions of
the State.
Near at hand is a case of excellent in
Simultaneous views OF the \ osemite valley,
taken in winter and summer, in sunshine,
cloud and storm, by George Fiske who
lives in the valley. These were contrib
uted by Messrs. Sanborn and Vail of San
Francisco who also show some particularly
meritorious chromos of fruit executed by
Ed. Bosqui. Each of these requires twenty
to thirty printing operations, and can
hardly be distinguished from water color
paintings of the best class. Over 900
has been invested in plant for this process.
In addition to the photographs referred
to there is large number of views taken
by local artists, illustrating scenery, farm
and mining life, ETC., all over the State
The railroad shops of the Southern Pa
ciic Company send blue prints of their
locomotive FL Gubernador," the largest
ever built, with a cylinder of q inches,
35-inch stroke, IA wheels and weighing %
tons. There are also prints of their other
engines and of snow plows.
In this neighborhood, too, is stand of
very beautiful etchings of the Missions of
California, which apart from their artistic
merits possess a strong historical interest.
c. +. Watkins has case of views of the
picturesque Hotel del Monte, Monterey,
California, very charming whites resort
with unsurpassed horticultural gardens.
In a previous article the States referred in
high terms to the wooden exhibit but in
adyertently due credit was not given to the
makers. 1t is a pleasure to say that the
large cases contain specimens of blankets
that cannot be excelled, and that they are
the product of the Golden Gate Wooden
Company. of San Francisco.
There is a large display OF silk by the
ladies of the Board of silk Culture, show
ing cocoons, reeled silk, silk thread, ladies'
hose and framed piece of dress silk, all
made in the State, the latter being contrib
uted by f. Sauffrignon & Co., of San Jose,
California.
b. f. Sawyer & Co.. of Napa, send a
splendid lot of kid and buckskin. There
is nothing of the kind excelling it in the
Exposition.
Messrs. Christie & Wise, of San Fran
cisco, have complete display of fine wool,
as shipped. 1t is much admired by ex-
perts and its high quality universally con-
coded. There is also an effective mohair
exhibit from s. B. Bailey, of San Jose, and
another from J. Z. Peasants, of Santa
Ana Thetast things to be noted in this sec
ton of the space are two large cubes of sole
leather, from J. C. Rued & Co., San Fran
cisco. which, in point of quality, is fully in
harmony with the high standard attained
throughout the California displays.