PARK AND CEMETERY 
122 
ing the canyon tract. Then that trait of human na- 
ture which makes a thing coveted by a neighbor of 
greater value to the possessor, asserted itself, and the 
mountain lands became the object of long and bitter 
litigation. The question of ownership was carried into 
the courts, and in the end, the stranger's rights, if he 
had any, were declared forfeited, and the reservation 
became a known part of the pueblo lands of San Jose. 
The mountain canyon was declared to be and to remain 
a public park forever, for public uses as a recreation 
ground, to be under the exclusive charge and man- 
agement of a Board of Commissioners. 
That was years ago. Today, orchards of peach and 
olive and prune cover the acres which lie between this 
unique resort and. the thriving city in the valley of 
Santa Clara. The fields are rich and productive. The 
homes of a prosperous people dot the expanse which 
Avas once a great pasture land. 
An electric car line connects San Jose and the can- 
yon, and the broad Alum Rock avenue is as smooth as 
a city street. The roadway has been well built and 
treated to a coating of the crushed rock which is used 
on many roads throughout the country. This rock 
is found in Alum Rock canyon. It contains a cement, 
and when crushed and spread upon a roadbed it pul- 
A-erizes and packs, making a driveway as fine as any 
macadam. The broad boulevard from the city to the 
canyon is parked nearly its entire length by fir and 
eucalyptus trees. It extends in almost a straight line 
for three or four miles, and then winds in and out in 
graceful curves among the hills, often in the open 
presenting picturesque scenes of the valley below. 
To the right, on the summit of Mt. Hamilton, glis- 
tens the dome on Lick Observatory. Farther to the 
south the Mt. Hamilton range clasps hands with the 
Santa Cruz mountains, which borders the Santa Clara 
valley on the west. 
In October, the early fall rains have quickened 
the life within the mountain’s breast, and the distant 
slopes ill be streaked with patches of bright green. 
The yellow of the autumn leaves, the brown of ma- 
tured vegetation, the somberness of the pine and fir 
trees, with over all the mellowing purple veil of the 
autumn haze, will present a picture ’in color not marred 
by its frame, the arch of the sky. In the summer sea- 
son the orchards which line the way will be a feast 
for the eyes. In the blossoming time acres of bloom 
will stretch out on either side and the air will be 
charged with the fragrance of flowers. 
The electric railway traverses the thoroughfare for 
about three miles, then it speeds under the boughs 
of olive trees, along apricot orchards, through fields 
and vineyards. Reaching the woods of the foothills 
it is an ever winding road. It climbs knolls, encircles 
boulders, spins through narrow defiles, crosses and re- 
crosses the creek, which comes tumbling out from its 
mountain bed with a babbling invitation to proceed 
and see whence it has come. A perpendicular wall 
seemingly opposes, and as it disappears the car is sur- 
rounded, encompassed by deep woods, which appear 
impenetrable ; then, a level plat with gently sloping 
hills charms the beholder. 
Near the mouth of the canyon, to the left, on the 
bank of the creek, now above the water, but where 
the once larger stream splashed and steamed as it 
cooled its surface, lies a huge meteorite. The rock is 
fifteen feet in diameter and Aveighs about 50,000 
pounds. Some day scientists will locate this wanderer 
from the skies, which was unfortunate many years ago 
in having been discovered by a miner instead of a 
savant. 
Several months ago a party of scientists traveled 
into an almost inaccessible region in Mexico, to ex- 
amine and report on investigation of a meteoroid 
Avhich has no greater claims for recognition, and which 
is at least two feet less in diameter than the rock which 
lies near an electric car line, on the bank of Penetencia 
creek in Alum Rock canyon. 
This unique park is supposed to be rich in mineral 
products. Some coal has been mined, and there is 
said to be gold there. Perhaps. But there is for the 
taking something better than yellow metal. There is 
healing for the body in its medicinal waters, and there 
is Augor for mind and spirit in its mountain environs. 
The Artistic Treatment of Vines 
By Mrs. Herman J. Hall. 
Said Rollins : “Art is to Nature what his uniform 
is to a general ; he is just as much of a man in his gold 
lace and buttons. The uniform does not alter the man, 
but it almost creates the general. Hence I am not 
afraid of Nature in the form of Art.” 
The test of a fine residence is the first impression 
it makes on a casual observer from a distance. If this 
view is sufficient to enable him to gain an impression 
of the house and grounds at a glance, and a rapid 
survey results in some such ejaculation as, “What a 
beautiful home,” the owner may rest assured that 
harmony at least has been secured. On the contrary, 
if some detail is first noticed, instead of the entire com- 
position, it is safe to conclude that there is something 
lacking in this residential picture that should unite 
grass with flowers, flowers with shrubs and vines, as 
Avell as the latter with the trees and buildings. 
Federal and municipal structures may be appropri- 
ately welded to the ground by the obvious weight and 
style of their foundations and may become a part of 
