58 CALIFORNIA FRUITS: HOW TO GROW THEM 



of the Coast Range, where it is known as California lilac. The genus 

 includes the "flat brushes," as they are called, from their trailing on 

 the ground, or low, horizontal shoots ; also the "white thorn" of more 

 upright growth. 



Other Small Growths. Shrubs of frequent occurrence also are 

 the poison oak (Rhus diversiloba) , chiefly on the north sides of hills 

 in all parts of the State, but most abundant in the Coast Ranges, and 

 other species of Rhus which are not poisonous ; the hazel nut (Corylus 

 ro strata), which has been mentioned in the chapter on wild fruits ; the 

 buckthorns, several species of rhamnus, well distributed on the hillsides 

 and mountains of the State. 



In some parts of the State there are also large areas of sagebrush 

 or wormwood make, up of several species of Artemisia, sage or chia, 

 two species of Salvia, and the famous white and black sages of the 

 bee-keepers, which are species of Audibertia, occurring chiefly on the 

 mountains of Southern California. Add to these the spireas, the 

 azaleas, the rhododendrons, the sweet-scented shrubs (Calycanthus), 

 etc., and include nearly all the wild fruit trees, brushes and vines men- 

 tioned in a previous chapter, and one will gain the idea that though 

 California is widely considered a bare State, the land clearer has a host 

 of plants confronting him and disputing his right to the soil. 



Cost of Clearing. The cost of clearing on the foothill slopes 

 of the Sierra Nevada and the Coast Ranges is too variable to admit of 

 estimates except such as may be made on the spot by experienced 

 persons. The cost varies, of course, according to the density of the 

 growth of trees and underbrush, and the rate of wages to be paid. 

 Though in some cases higher cost is reached, probably as a rule the 

 expense of clearing will be from $5.00 to $30.00 per acre, less whatever 

 the firewood might be worth. In exceptional cases, where there is a 

 large growth and a good wood market near by, the wood may pay 

 the expense or more ; even the roots of chaparral sometimes sell in our 

 cities at $3.00 or $4.00 per cord. It sometimes happens that charcoal 

 can be produced to advantage ; in fact, there are now orchards upon 

 land which was secured in the first instance for the charcoal to be 

 made upon it. Usually, however, the clearing is an item of expense 

 and must be reduced as much as possible by working in the most 

 economical and effective way. 



Though in most cases of clearing by the actual settler himself the 

 problem is merely one of muscle and persistence, some few hints may 

 be given from the experience of others which may be useful. Spare 

 time during the summer and fall can often be used to advantage with 

 a sharp axe in trimming up the smaller trees, which are large enough 

 to yield fencing material, and getting out posts from the redwoods 

 and oaks, and rails and pickets from the pines. By thus using the 

 waste material the settler can often get out enough fencing material 

 to inclose his land and thus save considerable expense. Brush, too, 

 which can not be made use of, can be lopped off in short, all the sharp 

 axe work can be done in a dry time. The actual clearing, however, 

 should be done in winter, when the ground is wet and soft, and digging 

 is easy or "snaking out" is possible. 



