PALMS AND TROPICAL PLANTS 



more value, than would the endowment of another college, 

 or the erection of a public library. 



I do not fancy long lists of names, but there are growers 

 who will be much interested in knowing just what varieties 

 of cocos have been tested at Montecito and proved valuable. 

 Were I to enter into an elaborate description of each kind I 

 should soon have a volume to publish; but while I have al- 

 ready elaborated upon a few of the most available for the 

 general grower, I shall content myself with giving a list of 

 cocos any one of which is beautiful, all of which will suc- 

 ceed anywhere in California, and most of which are far more 

 appropriate for dooryard growing than the varieties now 

 furnished the public by nurserymen who have a keener eye 

 for the almighty dollar than for beauty or suitability. While 

 only a very few of this list can now be found for sale in the 

 United States, yet gradually they will be procurable and the 

 demand of the people for more suitable varieties may induce 

 some men of enterprise to take up this very desirable work 

 of introducing and propagating such trees and plants as are 

 really of value in this climate, instead of allowing the land to 

 remain encumbered with undesirable trees, shrubs and plants 

 by ignorant and unambitious growers. 



I have divided the list into two groups: the plumosa 

 type, with slender trunk and waving crest of plumes; and 

 the hardy type, which includes several dwarf varieties with 

 exquisite blue-gray coloring, which would be especially de- 

 sirable for lawn ornamentation, for the small inclosed courts 

 which belong to many of our fine homes of the early mission 



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