PART V : SHRUBS, TREES AND VINES. 



CHAPTER XXL 



CHOICE AND TREATMENT OF ARBORESCENT 

 PLANTS. 



Obviously, it would be impossible in this little book to show forth 

 the glories of all the shrubs, trees and vines which are found in Cali- 

 fornia gardens and enjoyed by those who dwell between and beneath 

 them. Even if the writer had adequate knowledge thereof, which he 

 has not, the metes and bounds fixed for this publication render it im- 

 possible to show forth such knowledge. And the limitations of the 

 writer are not unlike those of his readers. None of them, unless he 

 should undertake the establishment of an arboretum to represent the 

 capabilities of the state for arborescent growths and had, for the pur- 

 pose, a few townships of land and millions of money, could actually 

 enjoy sight of all shrubs, trees and vines which enjoy California 

 habitation. Even the botanists, upon whom rests the burden of com- 

 pleteness in enumeration and description, can only discharge them- 

 selves of it by signs and wonders of condensation and identification 

 which render their writing intelligible only to themselves even when 

 they fill great tomes with their beautiful inscriptions. 



And then it is not wise for an amateur to try to know all plants. 

 He may very properly make effort to know all of a botanical or flori- 

 cultural group and get much satisfaction from his collection of facts 

 and plants within the group which commands his interest. The effort 

 will give him much real joy if he has leisure and funds to encompass 

 his whimsy and become expert in it. But it is usually better for the 

 amateur to find a few shrubs, trees or vines which he really admires 

 and which show by their growth that they enjoy his company and 

 conditions, and then let them both and all cling to each other until 

 death doth them part. 



A man should decide for himself what things he shall plant around 

 his habitation and he should reach that decision by sight and not by 

 hearing. He should find these plants in the same way that he finds 

 a wife or a farm by looking. Therefore we shall submit no lists of 

 shrubs, trees or vines to be unthinkingly adopted. We shall rather 

 undertake to name, and perhaps briefly characterize, a great many 

 which are satisfactory in California, according to the data we have 

 now in hand. Almost everyone knows something about such plants 

 from sight, either recent or remote, and has reached some decision as 

 to the style of a genus or a group which pleases him. The lists which 

 follow will help him to knowledge of the behavior in California of the 



