108 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 
[ February 7 , 1884, 
ENDIVE, IMPROVED ROUND-LEAVED BATAVIAN. 
This is the best Endive grown. For years we cultivated many sorts r 
and in the course of time they were reduced to two, the above and the 
Moss Curled, but now this is given up, and we never had a greater supply or 
better Endive than from the one first named. Many amateurs, and 
single-handed men too, who have come to us to assist them in their seed 
lists, have been equally pleased with the result of being confined to this 
Endive. It is a hardy robust grower; other varieties being eaten by 
the snails when this is passed by. Especially is this the case when 
the plants are small and before they are blanched, but after that they are 
as tender as newly grown Chicory and as delicate as the most delicious 
spring Lettuce. Our first plants were ready in October, and now we 
have many perfectly sound which would remain good until Easter. In 
the early part of the autumn we tied them up to blanch, but of late the 
large heads have become so white in the centre that this attention has 
been dispensed with. Rain does them no harm, and they are less liable 
to be injured by frost than any variety I know. Two ordinary plants of 
this variety will make as much salad as six or eight of the curly kinds, 
and with plenty of the Batavian and Mustard and Cress no one need care 
much whether they have Lettuce or not for their winter salads. It is*- 
not the most seasonable time to speak of cultivating such plants, but 
it may serve as a hint for those now ordering their seeds.—J. M. 
Fig. 19.— Sentinel Rock, Yosemite Valley. 
has received a large share of attention, with the most gratifying results. 
The culture of cereals also forms one of the chief employments, Wheat 
attaining great perfection in nearly all districts. Not only can all the 
ordinary European products be obtained in perfection, hut many sub¬ 
tropical fruits can he grown successfully, a wide range of plants suitable 
for cultivation being thus available. To exemplify this Mr. W. G. Kings¬ 
bury, the European emigration agent for California and Texas, 41, Fins¬ 
bury Pavement, London, has for some time had a small museum of Cali- 
CULTURE OF SIBTIIORPIA EUROP^A VARIEGATA. 
The variegated form of Sibthorpia when used effectively in the 
decoration of hanging baskets or as a wall-creeper in a greenhouse is not 
easily to be forgotten, and one which invariably inspires those who see it 
with a determination to imitate, and if possible succeed in producing a 
similar result. Well-grown plants are, however, rare, and although the- 
value of the plant for this work is both well known and appreciated, 
failure has hitherto attended many attempts to establish it in private 
gardens. With me this plant has been most satisfactory, and that in the 
vicinity of London, too, where its successful cultivation has long, I believe, 
been considered impossible owing to the heavy fogs and generally smoky 
condition of the atmosphere. Two of the most obvious if not the only 
fertile soils, and cheap land have enabled many small capitalists with a 
knowledge of farming to establish themselves in the new country on a 
large scale. Extensive orchards of Apple trees, Oranges, and Lemons, 
vineyards, Hop gardens, and vegetable farms are gradually spreading 
over the country, while in addition to these forms of industry bee-culture 
fornian products on view, comprising samples of the different local varie¬ 
ties of grain, Apples, and miscellaneous fruits, together with sensational 
Vegetable Marrows and Pumpkins. A series of elaborately illustrated 
guides to the country are also issued from the same agency, giving full 
particulars respecting the climate, land, most profitable crops, &c. 
information of great value to intending emigrants. 
The scenery of some portions of California is well known to he 
unexcelled in variety and striking beauty, the celebrated Yosemite V alley 
especially having afforded a theme for many writers and travellers. The- 
two views accompanying these notes will convey some idea of the 
principal features of the valley. The Sentinel Rock shown to the right 
of the general view of the valley (fig. 19) is a mass of perpendicular- 
granite tapering into a peak 3043 feet above the level; but this is surpassed 
by El Capitan, which rises to 3300feet; the Cathedral Rock and Spires*- 
about 3000 feet; and the Three Brothers, 3830 feet high, are the principal 
elevations, which rising direct from the level of the valley impart an 
extraordinary appearance to the scenery. The Yosemite Falls (fig. 20} 
is another extraordinary feature. They are opposite the Sentinel Rock, 
and from March till July are exceedingly beautiful. The total height of 
the fall is 2526 feet in three sections—first a perpendicular descent of 
1500 feet, then 600 feet of cataracts, and a final leap of 400 feet. 
“ Professor Whitney concludes a description of the Yosemite Falls as- 
follows :— 1 As the various portions of the falls are nearly in one vertical 
plane the effect of the whole is nearly as grand, and perhaps even more 
picturesque, than it would he if the descent were made in one leap from 
the top of the cliff to the level of the valley. Nor is the grandeur or 
beauty of the fall perceptibly diminished by even a very considerabla 
diminution of the quantity of water from its highest stage. One of tha 
most striking features of the Yosemite Falls is the vibration of the upper 
portion from one side to the other, under the varying pressure of tha 
wind, which acts with immense force on so long a column. The descend¬ 
ing mass of water is too great to allow of its being entirely broken up 
into spray ; hut it widens out very much towards the bottom—probably 
as much as 300 feet at high water, the space through which it moves 
being fully three times as wide. This vibratory motion of the Yosemite. 
and Bridal Vail Falls is something peculiar, and not observed in any 
others, so far as we know ; the effect of it is indescribably grand* 
especially under the magical illumination of the full moon.’ ” The whole 
of this region is indeed replete with interest to the traveller and naturalist,, 
and the number of tourists who have visited it have increased from about 
twenty adventurers in 1855 to over 13,000 in 1882. 
