THE COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 



117 



high and six inches in diameter at the base, and some pepper 

 trees (Schinus mollis), both of which are popular street trees in 

 Southern California. The loquat was also conspicuous, and 

 the sides of the orchard were interspersed with roses, lantanas 

 and polygalas, and interesting specimens of Aralia papyrifera, 

 Phoenix dactylifera and P. Canariensis, Chamosrops excelsa #nd 

 the umbrella tree (Melia Azedarach). 



A conspicuous feature of the Midway exhibits was the dis- 

 play of Mexico, contributed by Gustave Schiebe, of the City of 

 Mexico. This collection arrived very late, and the continued 

 drought shortened its growth. Yet the plants were so novel to 

 northern eyes that the plot had unusual interest. A mere list 

 of some of the more conspicuous plants will show the character 

 of the exhibit and indicate the kind of plants which the Mex- 

 icans grow in the open : Coffee, sarsaparilla (smilax), musas, 

 begonias, ficuses, Macrozamia Mexicana, Clerodendron (Volka- 

 merid) fragrans, cacti, Rivina humilis, Dioon edule, anthuriums, 

 Sanchezia nobilis, Citrus myrtifolia, Cestrum coccineum, Ardisia 

 Mexicana, Datura arborea, Senecio elegans, Poinsettia pulcherrima, 

 Pachira fastuosa, guava in fruit, Hibiscus Chinensis, Jambosa (or 

 Eugenia) vulgaris, cinchona, Bescharneria yuccoides, logwood 

 (Hcematoxylon Campecliianuni), Cibotium (or Dicksonia) Schiedei 

 and C. nigrum. 



At the end of the Mexican section, Martin Klein & Co., of 

 Detroit, showed a few bushes of the "Dwarf Cherry," a plant 

 which the vender supposed to have come originally from Japan, 

 but which was the common wild Prunus pumila of the Northern 

 States. This little cherry has merit as a fruit plant, but it 

 seemed to be urged for some supposed medicinal value, founded 

 largely upon the vivid red color of the roots, rather than for 

 its fruit. It is said that the bush has been planted rather 

 largely, one person in Michigan having 45,000 plants set in a 

 regular plantation. Prunus pumila should not be planted indis- 

 criminately, because it is a variable plant and many of the 

 forms are utterly worthless for fruit. As soon as named varie- 

 ties appear, we may expect confidence on the part of nursery- 

 men and growers. 



A cranberry bog in full operation attracted much atten- 

 tion. It was shown by A. C. Bennett & Son, Appleton, Wis- 

 consin. A raised border, a foot and a half high, surrounded 

 the little bog, and a small reservoir for water stood at one side. 

 The water was conducted from this water-head through a gate, 

 when it ran through the ditches which surrounded the four 

 beds of cranberries. These beds were each about ten feet 

 square, and were bearing fairly well. This was the only 

 important display of the great cranberry interests of America 



