597 



correspondents, with brief general statements, wliich may be summar- 

 ized as follows : 



Seedling' date palms {Palma daetylifera) have been planted with vary- 

 ing success. "As an ornamental lawn or avenue tree, the date palm 

 (including the Canary Island sijecies. Phoenix canariensis) has a much 

 wider range in California than has been ordinarily understood, and 

 sooner or later it Avill be planted extensively for these purposes as far 

 north as the head of the Sacramento Valley." 



Huasco grape cuttings have been widely distributed, and this variety 

 is recommended " especially in districts where the Muscat is an uncer- 

 tain bearer, as in portions of San Diego and the Sacramento Valley. 

 Especial success is reported from Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, 

 Colusa, Shasta, and Yuba." 



Olives are attracting much attention. The Manzanillo variety seems 

 to be hardier than the Nevadillo, but not so hardy as the Mission. 



The camphor tree seems well established. " There have been but 

 fcAv failures that can be attributed to frost. The tree thrives on a great 

 variety of soils and over the larger part of the State. The most seri- 

 ous cause of failure is evidently the blighting north winds and any 

 extremely hot weather. All who used proper precautions in shading 

 and sheltering until the trees were thoroughly established have man- 

 aged to save them." 



The true carob of southern Europe and Asia Minor is likely to prove 

 a popular shade and ornamental tree for dry, rocky situations. 



The cork oak of Spain is worth planting, particularly on light soils 

 in the Sierra foothills. It is difScult to transplant this tree. 



Bamboos sent out by tlie station have been grown with varying suc- 

 cess. The Ringal and Metake species seem to have done better than 

 Thamnocalamiis spf(th{f!onis. 



Mulberry trees, especially " Moms alba, M. nigra, M. multicaulis, M. 

 rubra, and M. japonica, with their subvarieties, are adapted to the 

 greater part of the State." The best growers and the handsomest trees 

 of the grouj) are the Japanese Nagasalci and LJioo. 



New Zealand flax {Phormium tenax), with its strong fiber, is " valu- 

 able for every gardener and farmer, who can use strips of the leaves for 

 many i^urposes," but the plant does not thrive in a very hot and dry 

 climate. 



The melon tree ( Carica papaya) is too tender for any except the warm- 

 est regions of the State. 



" The strawberry tree {Arbutus nnedo) appears to have done well in 

 most counties of the State," esj)ecially near the coast. 



" Of the various maples that are natives of the country east of the 

 Sierras, none except the Acer negundo, or box elder, has ever equaled 

 our native California species. The most valuable of the native species 

 is the Acer macropliylla, which in suitable soil and within the range of 

 the moist ocean winds, is of enduring and rapid growth. It can be 



