1 40 Asparagus. 



is very much like that of the spruce ; but the fruit is very different in ap 

 pearance from any of the American conifers, resembUng to a remarkable 

 degree a nutmeg, and suggesting Dr. Hooker's appellative of T. myristica 

 (see Botanical Magazine, plate 4780). The tree grows about fifty feet high, 

 with slender, drooping branches, and a thin, light foliage ; the bark smooth ; 

 the wood hard and firm (Dr. Bigelow, in Botany, &:c., quoted above). No- 

 ticed in several parts of California by Mr. Bolander, but generally dispersed. 

 Belonging to a group of cone-bearing trees, celebrated for its timber, and 

 excellence of wood. The Torreya, or California nutmeg-tree, may be found 

 of value for artificial plantations. 



12. Sequoia sempervircns {E.nd\ichQ.v). — The redwood. This magnificent 

 tree is only rivalled by the gigantic cypress, Sequoia gigantea (Torrey). The 

 value of these majestic living organisms in the features and conditions of 

 the regions they inhabit is well considered by Mr. Bolander, who asserts 

 that a great benefit derived from the redwood forests is the power they 

 possess in condensing fogs and mists. A heavy fog is always turned into 

 rain, wetting the soil, and supplying springs with water during the dry sea- 

 sons. It is my firm conviction, that, if the redwoods are destroyed, — and 

 they necessarily will be if not protected by wise action of our government, 

 — California will become a desert in the true sense of the word. It remains 

 to be seen whether we shall be benefited or not by the horrible experience 

 such countries as Asia Minor, Greece, Spain, and France have endured 

 by having barbarously destroyed their woods and forests. No power on 

 earth could restore the woods of California when once completely destroyed 

 {Proc, I. c, p. 232.) !yohn L. Russell. 



ASPARAGUS. 



Owners of asparagus-beds should be careful not to continue the cutting 

 too long, especially if it be the first year of cutting from the bed. Old 

 beds will stand it better ; but the longer it is continued into summer, the 

 more the plant is weakened. We make it a rule to stop as soon as green 

 pease come. It is better not to cut at all until the third year after plant- 

 ing ; and, if the plants were weak, not until the fourth year. This crop 

 should have plenty of manure. 



