Page:Science vol. 5.djvu/469

 SCIENCE.

��FRIDAT, MAT 20, 18S5.

��THE MONTEREY PINE AND CiP/tESS.

BoTAHisra and Iree-lovers bave a special intcrtBl in Ciiiiressus mnCTocaqja and Piiius insignis, on account of Ihcir very restricted native habitat, nnd for their value as ornamen- tal trees. Tbe first, the Monterey cypress, is known in the wild state only on the oceanic edge of that notable couireroiis grove which extends for a few miles between the Bay of Monterey and the narrow inlet of Carmel; excepting, however, a few trees aimilnrly sit- uated, it is said, near Pescadcro, farllier north. The large cypress-trees of the Monterey grove, most picturesque in character and in position, are only a dozen or two in number. They are confined to the rocky and wind-beaten head- land of the immediat* shore. In view of their pi'ecarious position, it was gratifying to find, at certain joints, that a goodly number of thrifty young trees were successfully compet- ing with the pines for a short distance inland. Yet, hemmed in between the alowly encroach- ing ocean on one hand, and the forest of pinea on the other, the future of this unique habitat 19 certainly precarious. Its companion, Pinus insignis, seems capable of holding its ground if left to nature. Besides this grove, in which it predominates, the tree naturally occurs here and there for some distance, perhaps on all the hills around Monterey Bay. The oldest and finest specimens I have seen of it are on the eastern side of the little town, accom- panied by equally noble live-oaks (Quercus agrifolia), and forming that natural park — now adoj-ncd by the lani:Isca|>e-gardener's best art, and kept quite in the finish of an English nobleman's ancestral home — in which stands the noted Hotel del Monte.

It is no part of my object to commend the South Pacific railroad company for the estab- lishment of this attractive resort. Its pro- Ko.iai.— isu.

��jectors will doubtless have their reward; but. considering the lavish outlay, one would thinic that a pecuniar}' return will be a long time in coming. But I do wish to commend them for an incidental service to botanj' and dendrology in rendering this habitat of the Monterey pine and cypi-ess reasonably secure. With large and liberal foresight, this company bought the whole grove of Point Pinos and vicinity, sup- plied it with water from Carmel River, and also with about eighteen miles of drives, around the picturesque bluffs, among the hoary cypresses, and through the beautiful forest in various directions, making of the whole a park apper- taining to the hotel, and watchfully caring for its preservation. The grove, fortunately, all belonged to one man. who inherited it: so that its acquisition was practicable, as it certainly was timely; for the trees woidd probably have been very soon cut away for lumiier and lire- wood, and the ground cut up into building- lots. Lamentable as the destruction of thia grove would have liecn, yet these two trees would not be lost to California. They are extensively planted everywhere near the coast, especially in the southern part of the state, where they thrive wonderfully and grow rapidly, in situa- tions that no other coniferous trees could well abide. At Monterey and at San Francisco the Monterey pine is most successfully used, in the manner of Pinus maritima in France, for the conversion of sand-dunes into forest. At Slonterey many hundreds of trees, taken from the nursery at a foot or two in height, were growing healthfully when planted upon a sea-beach of drifting saud. hardly beyond the reach of winter's spray. At San Francisco this tree baa played a conspicuous part in the conversion of a bi-oad tract of shifting sand, which used to fiow over into the town, into a beautiful park, already well furnished with trees and shrubs in great variety, as well as with grassy slopes and lawns, — the just pride of the city. Step by step thia verdure and

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