4 OENAMENTAL VALUE OF SALTBUSHES. 



probably makes greater use of them as ornamentals than any other 

 locality in this country. Here the utilization of these shrubs is 

 general. One species is used very effectively as a hedge plant. 

 (See PI. I, fig. 2.) 



It was thought that Doctor Franceschi, who has done so much for 

 the horticulture of southern California, was responsible for the prac- 

 tice, but upon inquiry he modestly disclaims any credit for the inno- 

 vation and informs us that the people of Santa Barbara adopted the 

 use of the saltbush without the aid of any horticulturist. Who first 

 used it is not known, but certain it is that the plant is well adapted 

 for the purpose to which it is put, and in many places in the city 

 makes an effective hedge which sets off to good advantage the other 

 more highly colored ornamentals and the more tender plants which 

 grow here to perfection. If such ornamentals are effective in a 

 locality which can grow such a wealth of tropical and subtropical 

 plants, how much more should related native species having equal 

 ornamental qualities be of value in other regions where the growing 

 of tender ornamentals is difficult. 



CHARACTER OF A HEDGE OF SALTBUSHES. 



At Santa Barbara the local native, Atriplex hreweri, is the species 

 employed. In this locality the plant is an evergreen. Its develop- 

 ment is very rapid under favorable conditions, a hedge well cared 

 for often becoming 18 inches or 2 feet high in a single season from 

 cuttings set in the spring. 



The color of the plant is a dull, ashen, gray-green, very different 

 from privet, boxwood, pomegranate, and other common shrubby 

 hedge plants. In many settings this is not a disadvantage, for the 

 ever-present dust is less noticeable upon such foliage than upon the 

 rich, glossy surface of the privet, for example, and a pleasing varia- 

 tion is afforded by the use of the gray, dull-colored plant. The 

 growth may be made as thick and impenetrable as desired by frequent 

 clipping when young. The writer has never seen a heavier, thicker 

 growth than is found in some of the well-trained hedges of Santa 

 Barbara. A hedge may be brought to any shape or size up to 6 or 8 

 feet high, and apparently lasts indefinitely when properly cared for. 

 A neglected hedge, or one which for any reason is not satisfactory, 

 can be cut down and will easily make a perfect hedge 3 feet high in 

 one season from the old stumps. 



The main disadvantage of the plant when used as a hedge is that 

 the wood is brittle and it can be broken down more easily than some 

 other hedge plants. It may be for this reason that the saltbush 

 hedges grown in California are invariably wider than is usual for 

 this kind of planting. However, the compactness of the growth 



[Cir. 00 J 



