SANTA ROSA 265 



importance when I came to deal with rare exotics 

 and with new forms of plant life. The practical 

 knowledge of how best to nurse a tender seedling 

 has had its full share in the furtherance of the 

 successes of later years. 



Meantime a comprehensive knowledge of the 

 native plants of California had been gained 

 through having collected their seeds and bulbs for 

 eastern and foreign seedsmen. 



At about this time there was an interest in the 

 native plants of California, and many nursery- 

 men were anxious to give them a trial. During 

 those years when my own nursery business was 

 only formative by gathering seeds and bulbs on 

 orders from various eastern and foreign firms 

 my income was increased. In the course of this 

 work various trips were made to the surrounding 

 territory. On two occasions, in 1880 and in 1881, 

 I visited the region of the geysers, which was 

 found to be a productive locality for new mate- 

 rial. And everj^where careful study was made 

 of the vegetation, both with an eye to the 

 immediate collection of seeds and bulbs, and 

 for future reference in connection with the 

 projected work. 



The knowledge thus gained served well in later 

 years in suggesting material for hybridizing 

 experiments. 



