82 Notes and Gleanings. 



The President Wilder Strawberry. — A few days before starting to 

 California, Colonel Wilder very kindly presented us with a dozen plants of this 

 variety. This is the first opportunity we have had of seeing the plants since 

 we saw them a couple of years ago on his own ground. Notwithstanding the 

 extraordinary hot and dry weather to which they have been subjected, their vigor 

 and health are remarkable. To be sure, " we don't grow strawberries for their 

 leaves ; " but vigor and health of foliage under a trying ordeal we regard as a 

 good augury of success. Gardener's Monthly. 



Notes from California. — Our wet season has fairly set in, the blessed 

 rain descending in gentle showers during part of this and last week, and the 

 parched pastures begin to turn green with promise of abundant harvest. Still 

 the Golden Russets cling to the branches, and choice Muscat and Malaga grapes 

 are gathered daily in pristine freshness from under the gold and flame-tinted 

 leaves. The fruit is not yet gathered before the pruning commences, and all the 

 other operations of horticulture are in full blast. There is little time for relaxa- 

 tion except when the descending waters force us under the sheltering home roof, 

 before a rousing fire. 



There is a great future opening to the terraculturists of our common country, 

 in the progressive development of the beet sugar, silk, and vine interests ; tho.'^e 

 three industries will emancipate us from the bulk of our imports, and be the 

 source of untold prosperity. The Alvarado " Sugarie " in California is a perfect 

 success, delivers the product of excellent quahty by the ton, and insures a rapid 

 extension of sugar manufacture in California. Our higher-priced labor is fully 

 balanced by the greater percentage of sugar and climatic facilities in working up 

 the beets. The silk-worms have done remarkably well ; sericulture is getting to 

 be popular, and will rapidly expand with the growth of the mulberry. The quan- 

 tity of wine made this season is a mere matter of conjecture, but should be 

 nearly double that of last year ; and the quality is undoubtedly superior. The 

 best known European varieties of grapes doing remarkably well, native sorts are 

 entirely neglected, with the exception of the Catawba and Isabella. But there is 

 one native variety, which, on account of its rampant growth and abundant bearing 

 qualities, should enlist the particular attention of Californians ; it is the Scupper- 

 nong. From time to time I notice long discussions in horticultural journals, 

 some decrying as worthless, others praising its wine quahties, which appear to 

 be remarkably adapted to our cHmate. The vines planted between and trained 

 up the mulberry trees, Italian fashion, would be a source of additional revenue 

 and increase the beauties of the landscape. 



Yours truly, J. Stretitzel. 



Alhambra, Dec. 6, 1870. 



Gladiolus in Bloom in Winter. — The California Horticulturist for Jan- 

 uary says, " A few days since we saw a scarlet gladiolus in full bloom on Jackson 

 Street, near the top of the hill." This shows that we might have the gladiolus in 

 bloom all through the year, if consecutive planting was resorted to. The bulbs 

 are cheap, and two dozen planted at the rate of two per month would furnish us 

 with flowers " all the year round." 



