LUTHER BURBANK 



was also an abundance of alfilaria — Erodium 

 moschatum — a Chilean plant, belonging to the 

 geranium family. This and the clovers growing 

 in the winter made a splendid crop to turn under 

 in the spring, thus adding to the soil much nitro- 

 gen — among the most expensive of all fertilizing 

 materials. 



Later, five acres were added on one side of this 

 place, and again three acres on another — of very 

 similar soil — ^making now eighteen acres closely 

 covered with numerous species of plants and trees 

 used in the various experiments. 



This farm is one of the most sightly places in 

 the vicinity. In the middle foreground lies the 

 broad Santa Rosa Valley with the city of Santa 

 Rosa in the distance; and almost under one's feet 

 is Sebastopol. Mount Saint Helena looms up 

 grandly in the east some thirty miles away, more 

 than four thousand feet in altitude. Most of the 

 hills and mountains of the region are wooded with 

 Douglas spruce, various oaks, madronas, and man- 

 zanitas. Along the streams, through the valley, 

 grow Oregon maples, alders, ash, willows, and 

 hawthorns. 



Looking over the Valley of Santa Rosa one sees 

 one of the most prosperous communities any- 

 where to be found. In the early spring, great 

 apple and prune orchards lighten the valley with 



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