Gardening in California 



ARBUTUS. 



Among the many species of Arbutus are several of our most 

 handsome evergreen trees. The Madrone (Arbutus Menziesii) 

 and the Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) both do splendidly in 

 California. Their large, glossy, smooth leaves of elliptical shape, 

 their fragrant heath-like white flowers and their bunches of red 

 or yellow berries in the Autumn make them, features in the land- 

 scape or shrubbery. 



Propagate by sowing the seeds in the open ground as soon 

 as they are ripe, covering them to the depth of a quarter of an 

 inch. Transplant the seedlings, when a year old, into nursery 

 rows, setting them six inches apart. They should be replanted 

 each year until they become large enough to be planted where 

 they are to remain. 



AUCUBA JAPONICA. 



A genus of evergreen hardy shrubs with laurel-like leaves 

 smooth and glossy in appearance, bearing bunches of scarlet ber- 

 ries late in the Fall. They are exceedingly effective in the shrub- 

 bery during the Winter months when color is most needed. They 

 delight in plenty of water during the growing season. 



They make handsome veranda plants, grown in large pots or 

 boxes, especially when in fruit. There are several varieties with 

 variegated foliage such as Picta alba variegata, bicolor and aurea. 



To insure a good supply of the very ornamental berries, which 

 are produced on the female plant only, hand fertilizing may be 

 necessary. The time for applying the pollen is when the pistil 

 exudes a slightly gummy substance. Should the pollen be ripe 

 before the pistil is mature, it may be preserved by being collected 

 on a piece of dry paper and kept in a dry place. It should be 

 applied with a camel's hair brush. The pollen retains its power 

 for two weeks or perhaps a little longer. Any well-drained 



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