No. 149.] 119 



HORTICULTURE IN SAN FRANCISCO. 



The following letters were duly received at the American In- 

 stitute during its 23d annual Fair. We regret to say that the 

 vegetables alluded to have not been received. At this time, 

 when there is a very general inquiry relative to the productive- 

 ness of the soil in this new and highly interesting portion of 

 the Union, it seems proper that any reliable information on that 

 subject should be placed before the public: 



A. C. 



San Francisco, California, Aug. 31, 1850. 

 Secretary of the American Institute: 



My Dear Sir — I enclose a letter from H. Toler, Esq., one of 

 our citizens, whose garden, during the season, has been an object 

 of great attraction, being in the heart of the town and on one of 

 the most public streets. 



The box, alluded to by Mr. Toler, was forwarded this day per 

 steamer Oregon for Panama, which we hope will reach you in 

 time for the approaching exhibition ; it is directed to the Ameri- 

 can Institute, city of New-York. "We do not expect the sample 

 of turnips sent will rival all others, but serve to show, that even 

 in San Francisco, where those who have never seen it, imagine 

 nothing can grow, or scarce exist, vegetables can flourish, and 

 without irrigation. 



I am, respectfully, yours, 



C. L. ROSS. 



San Francisco, California, Aug. 31, 1850. 

 To C. L. Ross, Esq. : 



My Dear Sir — I cheerfully adopt the suggestion contained in 

 your note just received, and send you some of the turnips grown 

 in my vegetable garden, in the heart of this city, that they may 

 be presented to the American Institute at their approaching ex- 

 hibition, as a small specimen of the luxuriant growth of the soil 

 of California. 



It is to be regretted so much time has elapsed since these tur- 

 nips came to maturity that they have become corky, and hence, 



