2 
CARL PURDY, URIAH, MENDOCINO CO., CAL. 
From the first I sought a location where the conditions would be best for bulb- 
culture. After several trials an ideal place was found in the high mountains south¬ 
east of Ukiah. Looking from the higher points here, in one direction we see down 
into the beautiful basin where Clear Lake glistens in the sun, and in another direction 
the Russian River region lies below us like a map. 1 found the natural conditions that 
I sought, first at Lyons Valley, then at “The Terraces,” my present home-place, and 
now my gardens are in four of these mountain valleys: Lyons Valley, the East Canyon 
and the Lake Gardens—all within a mile of the center of my activities at “The Terraces.” 
At “The Terraces” a favorable climate, abundant spring water, rich and varying 
soils, and a great variety of exposures combine to make ideal conditions for this class 
of gardening. From a scenic point of view, “The Terraces” arc probably the most 
unique gardens in the world. Large springs feed a mountain stream, which passes 
through a rich little valley, and then, over four limestone bluffs in succession, each 
from 50 to 75 feet high, it plunges in many most charming cascades and waterfalls. 
Between the bluffs are the terraced slopes from which the gardens get their name. 
All of the successive terraces, (he shelves and nooks, with the endless corners about 
the falls, afford ideal homes to colonies of lilies and ferns. 
Adapting Foreign Flowers to Californian Gardens 
During recent years I have become much interested in the hardy perennial plants 
of the world. I am testing many of the beautiful things of which we read so much in 
English floral publications, to see how well adapted these plants are to California 
conditions, and to ascertain which ones best suit the tastes of Californians. I now 
have a very fine collection of such things as the perennial larkspurs, the variously col¬ 
ored poppies—Orientals and others,—harebells in great variety, dainty creeping 
plants, the various sunflowers and rudbeckias, several fine things in the style of the 
Shasta daisies, and many others as beautiful. 
Beginning as early as February, with the Christmas roses, the flowers come on 
in season, and in midsummer there is a very fine show. In dahlias, too, I have a col¬ 
lection of some 80 sorts of the best, also many gladioli, and a fine collection of tigridias. 
There is never a second burst of bloom to match the tulips, but to the flower-lover 
there is always something of interest. In 1913 my superb collection of Peonies came 
into its first full bloom. The Pacific Coast had never before seen such flowers as 1 
shipped to the San Francisco flower-market. A great variety of hardy plants of many 
sorts, including many rock-plants, flower in succession throughout the season, and quite 
a wide variety of Irises come in their season. Like a motion-picture show, the films 
change weekly. 1 am constantly adding to my hardy perennial collection, and it will 
soon be a leading feature, both in my gardens and in my catalogue. 
How to Reach Ukiah and “The Terraces” 
Ukiah is reached by rail, via the Northwestern Pacific, which starts at the ferry 
depot at San Francisco. Two trains a day arrive in Ukiah; the first leaves San Fran¬ 
cisco at 7.45 a. m., arriving at Ukiah at 12.16 p. m.; the second leaves San Francisco at 
3.15 P- m. and arrives at Ukiah at 7 - 5 ° P- m. From Ukiah the trains are 7.00 a. m. 
and 3.06 p. m. As there is hardly time for a visitor to make the round trip to “The 
Terraces ’ after the arrival of the train at 12.16, the better way is to come to Ukiah 
on the train which arrives at 7.50 p. m., stay over night, and make the trip the next 
day. It can be made so as to catch the return train at 3.06 p. m., or an entire day 
can be taken. 
Ielephone connects “The Terraces” and my Ukiah home with all points through 
the Ukiah Central. No telephone number needed. 
