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 opuntias 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, crowding 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 i'll the Mikado's king
dom.
Tuberoses are not popular as formerly,
and are not grown so extensively. The
amarylls belladonna with its immense
pink bells and long stems is a feature of
A. fo1 40 to J,,a tod fA. 1,,
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 calla 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 dozen great flowers expanded "a t
once, they make 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
bnl oSf1 a nd ar.-
,uerites flourish. Dracenas and palms
If several varties are also very common.
Within the limits of Los Angeles city |
alone agaVes, yuccaS and acaciaS, that |
would have priceless value in the east.
srow in such number as to rob them of
Ialue as rarities. Rose geraniums fire.
luently 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
% bear prolifically.
For house plants palms lead in the |
popular fancy. the ordinary varieties
being the kentia balmoreana, kentri !
posteriana, latania borbonica, cycus
'evouta. Phoenix canariensis, areca |
)aueri, etc. Umbrella plants are always
n favor and india rubber trees, begonias
arvolia sieboldii and many
ther decorative plants afford variety.
1t is only possible to give a passing
glance at the riches of this floral world
nut in the adopted flora nearly all of the
astern and foreign shade trees are
ound. The sweet, old fashioned shrubs
uch as 1ilacs. mock orange, spirea.
sweet shrub. etc. are quite at
lome, and foxgloves, zinnias, marigolds
Iahlias and verbenas are common as in
he east.
Out in the valleys and upon the hill
des the famous California poppy
eschscho holtZia) throws a golden light
lot unfrequently baby-blue eyes (nem-
philas) may be seen, while godetas or
unflowers claim the ground elsewhere.
With summer come the lupins, with
pixies of yellow, blue or purple blossoms,
md they claim every nook from the
to the sea. The siX-foot lark
pur, the magnificent "Romneya Coul-
eri' with giaucus leaves and great
,repy white flowers, and the gorgeous
glory-pea Q.athyms SplendeHs) illumine
he landscape with beauty, with many
,thers of less striking character
But while the floral riches of Southern
California are such as to need volume
% enumerate, in order that the very best
esults may be obtained here, as else
where, constant care is needed. The
ong, dry summer requires that night
be constant without the plants
,eing deluged. The growth of some
'lants is so rapid that the life of neigh
Doring and less ambitious ones is
threatened. Under such circumstances
he luxuriant riot might delight the
fierd, but not true lover of
lowers.
In December the thermometer some
lines runs down for an hour or two dur
ng the night to ar unpleasantly sugges-
i've point, and it is marvellous how little
ermanent damage is wrought Such a
all in the temperature would in the east
nean the frosting and death of all flow
rs, while in this southern country it is
heir heads for day or Incorporating
0 sulk-and then recovering their pris-
inc strength they astonish the visitor
With the rapidity Of their growth. Such
lants as the Gala, heliotrope and the
cry nasturtium, will appear frozen to
he ground, and then will throw out new
boots and more than recover what had
cen lost in growth.
No place in the world can compare
yith Southern California in the condi-
ions tending to favor hybridizing and
ther growing of seed. Were it not for
he cheap labor in Europe, no country