THE SUNKEN GARDENS OF PASADENA 



D. W. COOIilDGE 

 Secretary Pasadena Board of Trade 



THREE years ago, perhaps the most unsightly spot in or near Pasadena 

 was the ravines or hollows back of and belonging to the grounds 

 of Mr. J. S. Cravens, whose palatial residence on South Orange 

 Grove Boulevard, has for years been one of the show places in Pasa- 

 dena. About this time, two years and a half ago, Mr. Adolphus 

 Busch, the famous St. Louis brewer, purchased the Cravens place, and at 

 the same time employed Mr. R. G. Fraser, one of the eminent landscape 

 gardeners of which Pasadena has a number, and gave him carte blanche 

 In the matter of beautifying this unsightly spot that had been used by Mr. 

 Cravens as a horse-pasture. Subsequently Mr. Busch purchased adjoining 

 property, so that in what is known as the Busch Gardens there are now 

 over fifty acres and such a beauty spot as can hardly be imagined. All 

 of the hollows and hills have been perfectly graded and terraced, and words 

 are inadequate to picture to any human mind the indescribable beauty of 

 the place. Think of over twenty-five acres of the most velvety of green 

 lawns dotted here and there by ornamental shrubbery and live-oak trees ! 



On one of the rear slopes is a rock grotto with every imaginable varie- 

 ty of fern and shade-loving plant growing in the niches of the rocks. It 

 is reported that Mr. Busch has spent a sum approximating $100,000 on 

 these gardens, which are viewed by this aesthetic millionaire for only a 

 few weeks each year. These gardens are open to the public on Mondays 

 and Thursdays of each week, and the sight is well worth a trip of many 

 miles. 



Mr. Hulett C. Merritt is completing another sunken garden of an entire- 

 ly different type. It is not at all extensive, covering not more than a half- 

 acre, but It is unique, constructed on conventional lines, something after 

 the old Roman or Grecian gardens. This garden is inclosed by concrete 

 walls with pillars and balustrades. There is a small lake in the center. In 

 which are growing numerous nymphaeas, or water-lilies. A few stately bay- 

 trees at frequent intervals help to carry out the formal scheme Involved. 

 There are other smaller sunken gardens in and about the city, but none in 

 any way as pretentious as either the Busch or the Merritt gardens. 



SEED-FARMS OF THE SANTA CLARA 



VALLEY 



JOS. T. BROOKS 

 Secretary San Jose Chamber of Commerce 



CALIFORNIA is now recognized as the largest seed-producing State in 

 the Union. This industry has grown to immense proportions within 

 the past fifteen years, and promises to increase in the future. The 

 question has often been asked, "Why has California taken the lead 

 in the production of seed or in seed-farming?" There must be some 

 superiority over other States, or the farms would not have been established 

 on such extensive scale. There are many States where during the summer 

 seeds may be produced, but it is the uncertainty of production In the 

 other States, while in California it is the positive surety of production. 

 This fact brought men from the Eastern States years ago who were 

 especially interested in this line, and they established in many counties 

 very large seed-farms. In addition to their own farms, it is customary 



