The herald., 1898-01-02

JEWELS

So diversified Is the climate of South
ern California that an explorer investi-
eating the flora finds perpetual spring
time, and a congenial place for nearly
every plant and flower grown in any
country of the world.
At Alhambra and Redondo carnations
are grown by the acre that put to the
blush the famed Malmaisons of the Lon
don markets; while on the borders of the
desert, as well as scattered through sew
eral of the counties. the giant cacti lift
their straight, stiff bodies high in the
air, crowned in season with snowy flow
ers. On these wastes the opuntas grow
profusely, their thick, prickly leaves
studded with gaudy yellow and purple
blossoms; the stately yucca brevifolia.
with curious, tufted branches, and the
more humble yucca whipplei, with great
spikes of creamy flowers, all give a
grace and charm even to the places that
bear no trace of mans presence or in
reference.
Roses are the pride of Californian
gardens, trailing over porches and cot
tages. crowdng each other for room,
and making picture when at their best
worth a journey across the continent to
see.
Chrysanthemums are grown so easily
out of doors that in the season the cities
of the south are as gay with the queen
of autumn" as any in the Millados king
dom.
Tuberoses are not popular as formerly,
and are not grown so extensively The
amaryllis belladonna with its immense
pink bells and long stems is a feature of
the fall trade and is adapted for large
vases. In Los Angeles and Ventura the
gladiolas grow to great perfection, but
few of the spikes reach the market as
the bulbs are shipped east. Gala lilies,
montbretias, Japanese and Spanish iris
and agapanthus are common through
out the south and on that account have
lost commercial value.
Very many thousands of Gala lilies are
shipped east from Los Angeles, Santa
Barbara and Ventura counties, and form
the bulk of the supply of the United
States. F'rezia, cyclamen and spotted
Gala are other of the Towering bulbs that
are grown in immense quantities. Then,
too, are grown japanese golden banded
lilies, and as they stand five feet high
with a dozen great flowers expanded at
once, they make a gorgeous appearance.
Narcissus is so plentiful that in the
spring they lie in great heaps in the
florist stores, making the air odorous
with their perfume.
About 200 acres are set out to pampas
plumes, the bulk of the crop being ship
ped to Europe in carload lots. The east
ern market absorbs the remainder.
However humble the garden in the
hn1 aSt1
guerites flourish. Dracenas and palms
of several varities are also very common.
Within the limits of Los Angeles city
alone agaves, yuccas and acacias, that
would have priceless value in the east,
grow in such number as to rob them of
value as rarities. Rose geraniums fire.
quently grow to a height of eight feet,
and pelargonims run riot. Bananas are
grown frequently for ornament, and in
parts of San Diego county can be made
to bear prolifically.
For house plants palms lead in the
popular fancy. the ordinary varieties
being the kentia balmoreana, kentri
posteriana, latania bCrbonica, cycus
revoluta, Phoenix canariensis, areca
baueri, etc Umbrella plants are always
in favor and india rubber trees, begonias
sanserveria, arvolia sieboldii and many
other decorative plants afford variety.
1t is only possible to give passing
glance at the riches of this floral world
but in the adopted flora nearly all of the
eastern and foreign shade trees are
found. The sweet, old fashioned shrubs
such as 1ilacs mock orange, spirea
SNOWFALL, sweet shrub. ETC., are quite at
home, and foxgloves, znnias, marigolds,
dahlias and verbenas are common as in
the east.
Out in the valleys and upon the hill
sides the famous California poppy
(eschscholtza) throws a golden light.
not unfrequently baby-blue eyes (nem
ophilas) may be seen, while godetas or
sunflowers claim the ground elsewhere.
With summer come the lupins, with
spikes of yellow, blue or purple blossoms,
and they claim every nook from the
moutains to the sea. The siX-foot lark
spur, the magnificent "Romneya Coul-
terri with glaucus leaves ana great
creepy white flowers, and the gorgeous
glory-pea G.athyms SplendGnsJi
the landscape with beauty, with many
others of less striking character.
But While the floral riches of Southern
California are such as to need volume
to enumerate, in order that the very best
results may be obtained here, as else
where, constant care is needed. The
long, dry summer requires that night
watering be constant without the plants
being delugcd. The growth of some
plants is SO rapid that the life of neigh
boring and less ambitious ones is
threatened. Under such circumstances
the luxurant riot might delight the
camera fierd, but not true lover of
flowers.
In December the thermometer some
times runs down for an hour or two dur
ing the night to ar unpleasantly sugges-
tive point, and it is marvellous how little
permanent damage is wrought. Such a
fall in the temperature would in the east
mean the frosting and death Of all flow
ers, while in this southern country it is
otherwise. Delicate plants will droop
their heads for day or Incorporating
to sulk-and then recovering their pris-
tine strength they astonish the visitor
with the rapidity Of their growth. Such
plants as the Gala, heliotrope and the
fiery nasturtium, will appear frozen to
the ground, and then will throw out new
shoots and more than recover what had
been lost in growth.
No place in the world can compare
with Southern California in the condi-
tions tending to favor hybridizing and
other growing of seed. Were it not for