108 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT STATION. 



rapidity of tree-growth here. The conifers are rapidly taking posses- 

 sion of the entire ground, and the larger maples, walnuts, catalpas, 

 paulownias, and mulberries scattered through this two-acre plantation 

 have been removed, leaving, however, many deciduous trees. All the 

 conifers here were planted out when small by Mr. Boland, then fore- 

 man, and have deep root-systems. 



The most remarkable growths made in the mixed forest were of 

 Pinus sabiniana, many of which now stand more than 18 feet high. 

 Three measured girths of 20, 22, and 23 inches. From seed these are 

 but eight years old. It is a pity that the timber from this tree is not 

 more valuable, but its usefulness in the foothills has hardly received 

 sufficient attention, for it grows under very adverse conditions. The 

 following brief table shows comparative growths of some of the mixed- 

 forest conifers: 



TABLE II. MEASUREMENTS OF CONIFERS IN MIXED FOREST. 



Height. Girth. 

 18 ft. 21 in. 



10 " 



9 " 

 8 " 

 7 " 

 3 " 



Conifers of Especial Value. The experience of the substation leads us 

 to recommend several species of conifers for more general planting in 

 the Sacramento Valley and on the foothills. Among our native trees, 

 Pinus ponderosa, the great yellow pine of the Sierra takes a prominent 

 place. The redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) does much better than was 

 expected, but on drier situations will not thrive so well. The growth 

 and health of the Big Tree (Sequoia gigantea) shows that it may be 

 extensively planted for ornament and shelter. The Monterey pine, 

 though growing quite well, is best adapted to the coast; but the so-called 

 Oregon pine (Pseudotsuga) is entirely at home here. The best exotic 

 conifers tested are the Deodar cedar and Pinus austriaca. The latter 

 is not as rapid in growth as some other species, but it makes a fine tree. 

 There should be more attention paid by land-owners to the establish- 

 ment of small groves of our native conifers, especially as windbreaks. 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 



The largest European White Birch among several of the same age, 

 girths 30 inches and is 45 feet high. Its age is about fifteen years. A 

 group of about seventy-five younger specimens of this birch (Betula 

 alba), planted in 1895, small trees received by mail, are now (1902) 

 from 35 to 40 feet high, and four girthed, respectively, 12, 14, 15, and 16 

 inches. Birches generally do well in this region, and any one who 

 wishes may have a grove of this beautiful white-stem tree, the fastest- 

 growing species of birch yet tested here. 



Previous reports have described the two Catalpa (C. speciosa) groves. 

 Small trees from self-sown seeds are frequently to be found here. The 

 late General Bidwell planted many catalpas and distributed trees 

 widely at various times from his nurseries. The average height of the 

 catalpas at the substation in 1897 was 30 feet, with trunks 26 inches in 



