198 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



farms, and fine gardens and residences, which apprized us of our 

 near approach to a large city. On reaching San Francisco we 

 were quartered at the Palace Hotel, one of the largest and finest 

 in the world, where I spent six days with a great deal of comfort 

 and satisfaction. The city abounds in public parks and squares. 

 The Golden Gate Park contains 1,013 acres, the Government 

 reservation at Presidio 1,200 acres, Buena Vista 20 acres, Moun- 

 tain Lake 20 acres, and other citj' squares comprise 119 acres. 

 Our first move was for Golden Gate Park, in the western portion 

 of the city. Original!}' it was a barren waste of sand, but now it 

 is a very attractive and charming spot, well planted with trees and 

 shrubs. Plants that with us are grown under glass grow out of 

 doors there, and man}' were in full bloom at this season, November 

 15th. Fnschias were growing in hedges, and many other plants 

 which we usually grow under glass were permanently set in the open 

 ground, many of them attaining the size and form of trees. The 

 conservatory is 250 feet in length and contains a fine collection 

 of choice plants. The improvements were commenced in 1874 

 and now many of the trees, deciduous and evergreen, are quite 

 large, — even stately. But it must be borne in mind that one grow- 

 ing season in California is about equal to one and a half of ours. 

 The drives are well graded and macadamized, and on pleasant 

 afternoons are filled by the turnouts of the city. Vast sums of 

 money have been expended on this park. We were made 

 acquainted with the Superintendent, G. M. Murph}-, who kindl}- 

 showed us the places of especial interest. 



The Board of Trade Rooms were quite an interesting feature. 

 Here are on exhibition the products of the several counties of the 

 State, either in a green or preserved condition. These products 

 were mostly large, indicating rich lands and a long season. 

 There were squashes weighing 304, 208, 195, and 176 pounds and so 

 on ; a beet 154 pounds ; onions six and one-half pounds ; sweet 

 potatoes twenty-eight pounds ; pears five pounds ; peaches 

 twelve inches round, and other products in proportion. I will 

 only touch upon the productive industry of the State. The gold 

 and silver products since 1848 are $2,789,207,538 ; the coinage at 

 the mint to 1886 is $847,694,237. The banking capital is $45,- 

 000,000. Thus will be seen the vast wealth from the mines alone. 

 The productive industry of this State is immense and yearly in- 

 creasing:. 



