VENTUKA-BY-THE SEA, CALIFOENIA. 47 



THE SOUTH "AMERICAN TOMATO TREE." 



(CYPHOMANDRA.i 



SOLANUM Betaceum. A fine ornamental tree or shrub, a native of South America, 

 which is now receiving a good deal of attention under the name of "The Brazil- 

 ian Melon Fruit." This niost valuable addition to our list of fruits is as yet but 

 little known in this country, a few people here and there having a specimen for 

 ornament. When its value as a fruit is once fully appreciated, acres will be plant- 

 ed to it. It bears from seed the second season, and a young plant set out in the 

 spring grows six feet high and comes into bearing by Christmas. The foliage 

 is large and handsome, the branches spreading. The fruit, which hangs pendant 

 in clusters below the foliage, is the size of a large egg, of a beautiful orange- 

 salmon color when ripe. It has a delicious sub-acid taste, slightly resembling the 

 tomato. It is delicious raw, served with sugar aud cream, or cooked as sauce, 

 and for jelly or jam is very fine. It will keep for weeks, as it does not bruise on 

 account of its very tough skin and the solid nature of the fruit covering the seeds, 

 which are like those of the tomato. The fruit is so handsome it would sell 

 readily at sight, and if shipped East during the holidays would be immensely 

 popular. In Ceylon and India it is extensively grown, and is known as the "Poor 

 Man's Fruit." It is a showy plant for house and conservatory and a most 

 beautiful plant in the garden. Plants, 15,25 and 50 cts. each. Special rates on 

 quantity. Seeds per pkt. 10 cts. 



TRITOMA Nobilis or "Torch Lily." Truly a noble variety of this showy plant, 

 the foliage is long and graceful ; the strong flower stems rise to a height of six or 

 eight feet, and are thickly set for twelve or fifteen inches with waxy coral-red 

 flowers, tipped with yellow. A small plant forms a magnificent clump in a year 

 or two. Plants, 15 to 25 cts. each ; strong clumps, $1.00 ; seeds, 15 cts. pkt. 



TRADESCANT1A Multicolor. This is a remarkable variety of tradescantia, in 

 that its pretty striped leaves show every tint of silver, bronze-green, pinkish 

 crimson, rose and grey, in their markings. An extra fine basket plant as it stands 

 dust, dryness, and extremes of temperature. Indeed, the Wandering Jew will 

 stand more abuse, and look cheerful under it, than any other plant we know of. 

 10 cts. each. 



VrOLETS. 



Give violets partial shade, and divide them when they become crowded; each 



year apply a liberal top-dressing of good rotten manure, which will add greatly to 



their size and luxuriance. 



" California. " This new violet is all that has been claimed for it, and is immensely 

 popular wherever it is grown; it has fine healthy foliage, is a prolific bloomer; 

 flowers are on very long stems and indescribably beautiful; a lovely bluish pur- 

 ple; very large. 10 cts. each ; 50 cts. doz.; $3.00 per 100. 



Princess of Wales. Of hardy vigorous growth, the plants are wonderfully free- 

 flowering, with stems from ten to twelve inches long; large green leaves of a 

 thick, leathery texture. The grand single flowers, of a true violet-blue color that 

 does not fade, are of round, symmetrical form, almost as large as pansies, and of 

 the richest, most delicious fragrance. 15 cts. each ; $1.00 doz. 



Swanley AVhite. A snowy white double violet, very large and fragrant. Strong 

 plants. 50 cts. doz.; 4 doz. $1.00; $2.25 per 100. 



Queen Victoria. A very large single purple violet. Foliage large and handsome; 

 very robust habit. The flower has a small orange center and is very pleasing. 

 10 cts. each : 3 for 25 cts.; 60 cts. doz. 



Marie Louise. A beautiful light blue, very double; blooms very early and is very 

 sweet. One of the very best. 50 cts. doz.; 4 doz. $1.00 ; $2.25 per 1 00. 



Single Dark Blue. Perpetual violet, very dainty and sweet. 5 cts. each; 35 cts. doz. 

 J^"ln ordering please make a second choice of plants to be substi- 

 tuted, as I am sometimes out of varieties, and there is always a loss 



of time in writing for instructions. 



CLIMBING PLANTS. 



ASPARAGUS Plumosus Nanus. This charming, dainty climber has branches 

 which are finer than the fronds of the most delicate fern, and spread out in all di- 

 rections. In Southern California it grows luxuriantly outside. It is a beauti- 

 ful vine for the house and very pretty in hanging baskets. Is invaluable for 

 bouquets, and is very aesthetic for the decoration of rooms, either in its green or 

 dry state. Small plants. 25 cts. Strong, 50 to 75 cts. and $1.50. 



