The San Francisco call., 1896-04-16


ed an elderly man with blue badge, and
the leader of the band answered with an
asserting bow.
The stern men of the navy may not be
expected TO know all about babies; they
do not dream of sea fights to the music of
the lullaby, but yet they do not shrink
from army duty and the bandmaster's at
tempt on this occasion was as graceful as
he knew how to make it. He played the
famous Eleventh Infantry March" and
to the music OF the naval band the babies
in the roses moved along, and then final
circuit was made and on the carriage of
the nasturtiums was placed a trophy, on
which was worked "The Winner"
Baby Mcguire was happy, but his
mother was happier and it's wonder that
the carriage, baby and all were not crushed
in the rush of congratulations. When six
months old this infant won the prize at
the Santa Barbara County baby show.
Nobody would tell who the judges were.
1t was not easy to decide which the pref
tiest carriage was. Those covered with
roses were as exquisite as can be imagined,
but, of course, the nasturtiums were gor-
geous and made Baby Maguire's buggy
especially prominent. No second cup had
been offered, and that was well for the
judges; but the ladies all said that the
Postmasters S twins deserved prize. The
baby parade was so entertaining that 1t
was repeated at the opening of the even
ing concert.
Visitors to the pavilion to-day did not
know whether to marvel most at the won
drous perfection or remarkable variety of
flowers on exhibition. Growths from the
tropics elbowed the homeliest and dearest
OF native plants. Wild flowers from the
hills and canyons mingled their fragrance
with the breath of tender exotics; rare
ferns from the islands of the Pacific nodded
IN friendly way to roses and carnations
bred in European nurseries, and curious
growths from the barren land of Terra del
Fuego stood side by side with the prodigal
yield of our own California gardens.
The Southern California Acclimatizing
Association-that interesting organization
of which DIR. Franchesci is the most active
representative, and which is bound soon
to lead to the establishment of botanical
gardens here-was represented in unique
and most facinating exhibit. For several
years this association has been busily en-
gagged in importing from al, parts of the
globe valuable and beautiful growths
which it was believed would adapt them
selves to the climate of Southern Califor-
MIA and thrive vigorously out of doors.
This work has been of necessity experi-
mental; but these experiments have
yielded many notable successes, and as
result Santa Barbara has added to her
wealth some hundreds of shrubs and
plants which have never before been
grown in the United States. A careful
selection of the interesting and attractive
specimen plants was introduced in yester-
days exhibit.
Along with these the director presented
a number of native plants and shrubs
whicn deserve wider appreciation and
culture. Buddleia Madagascarensis, a
climber from Madagascar, has glossy,
plnnated green leaves, with very long
punches of bright yellow flowers. 1t is
especially desirable on account of its being
winter bloomer, Towering all the season.
Another winter bloomer comes from India.
and is called the Hexacentis Mysorensis.
1t is also a climber and bears brilliant
scarlet and yellow flowers. A Bignonia
recently brought from England and wholly
ACh w bA4o COuIlly Is a ClHlDST Win
rich, dull purple leaves, exquisitelv veined.
The bamboo has taken so kindly to this
soil and climate and lends itself so mar
velously to decoration that many looked
with exceeding interest upon a new species
never before grown in this eountry-the
Bambusa Pubescens, with velvety stems
and foliage. tiny plant with the pre-
tentious title of Adiantum Cristitum
Neneris is recent importation from Great
Britain, and is new species of maiden
hair fern, greatly strengthened and de-
Yeloped.
The most bewitching plant in this ex-
hibit, however, was a little native OF the
Arizona mountains, known by the sug-
gestive name Henchera Sanguinea. 1t
would almost seem as if we of the Pacific
Coast must go abroad to learn the value of
our own possessions, for it was not until
this plant had made a great sensation
throughout Europe some four or five
years ago and was indus:riously sought
and cultivated by European florists that it
was heard of in this country. 1t is
dainty growth, sending up slender, arrowy
shaft from cluster of broad veined leaves
like the saxifrage, and this shaft is
O1ONACU Win dC41Cdte CrumDeJS
of vivid coral tint, opening in a five
pointed star. Baroni Megastigma, an
Australian plant with exceedingly fra
grant fowers-yellowish brown flowers re-
sembling the Fritallarias-was unfortu-
nately out of bloom, and only its pretty
LEAKAGE could be seen.
A small specimen of the Lyonothamus
Floribundis, that remarkable tree found
only on Santa Cruz Island. and which is
SO alien to all of the known growths of the
world that new order had to be especially
created for it, attracted much attention.
A larger specimen now growing in the
grounds of the association is expected to
bloom this season. This tree attains
growth of from fifty to sixty feet, has ex-
quisite, fernlike foliage and bears great
clusters.
a California chestnut-that curious cac-
tus vulgarly known as the DEVILS pincush-
ION, which shared the clothing of more
th&n one venturesome spectator-and
rare species of cactus, the Eehlnocactus
Lecontel Flavisbimus, with yellow spines.
hrst found in the Mohave desert last year
together with the quaint pitcher-plant.