LOS ANGELES tots ARBORETUM ee Pe - : ay i | LASCA KS MISCELLANEA VOL. 3” OCT. 198s ANNUAL REPORT 954-55 | + a -® THE COVER -- A SYMBOLISM TO THE PEOPLE WHO VISIT THE ARBORETUM, IT IS MANY THINGS. IT'S A LAGOON, ALONG WHOSE SHORE ONE SEES TALL EUCALYPTUS, CLUMPS OF PAPYRUS, A BANANA TREE OR TWO, A DENSE WILD GRAPEVINE AS A GROWING MANTLE ON THE ASCENDING AND SLIGHTLY BEND ING TRUNK OF A PALM, AT TIMES, WHITE WATER LILIES. GRACE THE SURFACE OF THE LAGOON, WILD BIRDS OF EVERY SORT FIND FOOD AND SHELTER IN THE JUNGLE BORDER OR ON THE SURFACE OF THE WATER. IT'S AN EVER- CHANGING SCENE OF BEAUTY. IT'S NATURE'S MOST NATURAL CORNER. IT'S A SIGHTSEERS MECCA, SUNDAY VISITORS COME FOR AN UNHURRIED RIDE ON THE "JEEP" TRAIN TO SEE LIVING PLANTS OR LEARN A LITTLE EARLY CALIFORNIA HISTORY OR JOURNEY THROUGH THE PLANT WORLD OF AUSTRALIA, SOUTH AFRICA, OR SOUTH AMERICA IN MINIATURE. SCHOOL CHILDREN OF ALL AGES AND THEIR TEACHERS USE THE ARBORETUM AS AN OUT-OF-DOOR CLASSROOM, GARDEN CLUBS SEE THE "NEW" IN HORTICULTURE. IF FOR NONE OF THE ABOVE REASONS, ONE CAN ENJOY BEAUTY AND PEACE OF MIND AWAY FROM THE TRAFFIC AND HUSTLE OF EVERYDAY LIFE, PASSIFLORA ALATO-CAERULEA OR THE PASSION FLOWER, SYMBOLIZES THE EXOTIC OR UNUSUAL IN FLOWER FORM. NEW AND UNTRIED SPECIES OF EUCALYPTUS, ACACIAS, BOTTLEBRUSHES, BAMBOOS, PALMS, AND MANY OTHERS, ARE OFFERED FOR STUDY, BOTA- NISTS AND HORTICULTURALISTS THE WORLD OVER WATCH WITH INTEREST AND ENCOURAGE- NNT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS NEW PLANT MUSEUM. TO MANY, THE GREENHOUSE AND PLANT RECORDS KEPT THEREIN ARE OF PRIME IMPORTANCE, THIS IS THE DOOR THROUGH WHICH EVERY SEED, CUTTING, OR PLANT, OFFICIALLY ENTERS THE ARBORETUM. IN ORDER, A SEED IS GIVEN A LIFETIME NUM- BER, PLANTED IN THE GREENHOUSE, MOVED TO THE LATHHOUSE, AND FINALLY TRANS- FERRED TO THE FIELD. THERE ITS ABILITY TO GROW, FLOWER AND SET FRUIT IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IS OBSERVED AND RECORDED. TO DATE, THE GREENHOUSE HAS BEEN THE TEMPORARY HOME OF 12,836 PLANTS, BEING ONE OF THE VERY FIRST ALL ALUMINUM GLASSHOUSES IN THIS AREA, ITS CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION IS A SOURCE OF STUDY FOR THE NURSERY TRADE. LAST, WE SEE THE ARBORETUM LOCATED AT THE VERY FOOT OF OCCASIONALLY SNOW CAPPED MOUNTAINS, SUCH A LOCATION IS A VERY REAL CHALLENGE TO PLANT INTRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DOES ENJOY SEASONAL CHANGES. FOR A PART OF THE YEAR AT LEAST, WE EXPERIENCE SMOG FREE, CRISP WEATHER WHICH EXCITES US TO CONTEMPLATIONS COMPARING OUR OWN SMALLNESS WITH HIS GREATNESS IN THINGS NATURAL. THE EDITOR @ LOS ANGELES ‘ctx’ ARBORETUM 291 No. Old Ranch Road, Arcadia, California R. J. SEIBERT, Director Telephone: DOuglas 7-3444 July 5, 1955 Honorable Board of Supervisors County of Los Angeles Los Angeles 12, California Gentlemen: It is a pleasure to submit herewith the second Annual Report of the Department of Arboreta and Botanic Gardens, County of Los Angeles. With sincere regrets, the submission of this report will terminate my official capacity as Arboretum director for this De- partment. It is hoped, however, that in my new capacity as director of Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, I may continue to share with you a feeling of real accomplishment through the develop- ment of a potentially great Horticultural institution. In this age of mechanical, chemical, electronic and atomic miracles, we need not fear a decline in the powers of nature. Rather, that a feeling of closeness to nature through Horticulture and Gerden- ing shall be one of the potent stabilizers of our civilization. The veracity of this statement is fully evidenced by the fact that home gardening is the "No, 1" hobby of the American today. In a climatic- ally unique area such as you have in southern California, your honor- able board may consider with pride, the great part you are contribut-— ing to the expansion, understanding and enjoyment of ornamental horticulture. Through the Arboretum and its program over the coming years, every resident of Los Angeles County shall starid to gain cul- turally and spiritually a better peace of mind. May I take this opportunity of expressing deepest appreciation to my staff in whose hands the writing, compiling and assembling of the following report will fall, as will the operation of the Arboretum until the installment of my successor. I consider it one of the high- lights and privileges of my experience to have worked with this team of men and women who have always looked upon their positions as careers not "jobs" and held the aims of the Arboretum above those of self. Respect. — ad Russell/J. Seibert, RJS:P Director LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ARBORETA AND BOTANIC GARDENS B OF SUPERVISORS HERBERT C. LEGG, ~ 1ST DISTRICT CHAIRMAN KENNETH HAHN - 2ND DISTRICT JOHN ANSON FORD - 3RD DISTRICT BURTON W. CHACE ~ 4TH DISTRICT ROGER W,. JESSUP ~ 5TH DISTRICT ARTHUR J. WILL, CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ARBORETA AND BOTANIC GARDENS BOARD OF GOVERNORS SAMUEL AYRES, JR., PRESIDENT . HARRY J. BAUER, "VICE PRES IDENT ROBERT CASAMAJOR, VICE PRESIDENT HOWARD A. MILLER, TREASURER VARNEY BANCROFT RALPH D. CORNELL - HAROLD CROZIER MRS. RICHARD Y. DAKIN MRS, IVEY DARBY JOHN ANSON FORD . D. WILLIAM HERTRICH LIONEL LOUIS HOFFMANN HENRY ISHIDA CHARLES S. JONES MRS. JOHN R. MAGE SAMUEL MOSHER MRS. RUDOLPH J. RICHARDS - HAROLD ROACH MRS. WILLIAM D. SHEARER PAUL S, SMITH HENRY C. SOTO MRS, EUNICE SPRINGER GEORGE P, TAUBMAN, JR. FRANK E, TITUS FRITS W. WENT PARLE OR CONT ANT S ARBORETUM STAFF ARBORETUM OBJECTIVES ARBORETUM LOCATION CALIFORNIA ARBORETUM FOUNDATION, INC. DR. SEIBERT - AN APPRECIATION GROUNDS DEVELOPMENT and CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS NEW BUILDINGS HORTICULTURAL SPECIAL PROJECTS LIBRARY INVITATION and DEDICATION SUNDAY TOURS DAILY TOURS SPECIAL GROUNDS PERMITS A PARTY - A PLANTING ARBORETUM LECTURE PROGRAMS STAFF ARTICLES TV = RADIO NEWSPAPERS "IN PRAISE OF NATURE" On CA. &™ Nese he ALTHOUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF ARBORETA AND BOTANIC GARDENS IS A YOUNG- STER IN THE EYES OF THE COUNTY, WE DO HAVE A SIZABLE STAFF, THE STAFF WILL GROW WITH THE ARBORETUM. FOR THE YEAR, 1954-55, WE PROUDLY PRESENT: DR. RUSSELL J. SEIBERT, DIRECTOR GEORGE E. ALLEN ARBORETUM INFORMATION AID (AN) ALB BARDELLI PARK MAINTENANCE MAN HELPER THELMA G, BLANCHARD INT. STENOGRAPHIC SECRETARY W. QUINN BUCK ARBORETUM PLANT PROPAGATOR DANIEL V. CASSIDY PARK MAINTENANCE MAN HELPER JAMES W, CAUFFIELD ARBORETUM NURSERYMAN JOHN D, DANCER ARBORETUM INFORMATION AID (AN) JOYCE E, DAY INTERMEDIATE STENOGRAPHER JOHN W. DOUTHIT, JR. ARBORETUM INFORMATION AID (AN) WARREN W,. FARRELL GUARD (AN) EDWIN J. FAWCETT ARBORETUM CARETAKER HARRY A, FAWCETT GUARD GEORGE H. FISHER GUARD (AN) GERALD GINNELLY TREE TRIMMER ROSCOE C, GOODRICH ARBORETUM GARDENER HARLES A, HALLBERG ARBORETUM GARDENER WINFRED L. HAWK EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE HELPER JOSE . HERNANDEZ PARK MAINTENANCE MAN HELPER JUVENTINO O, HERRERA PARK MAINTENANCE MAN HELPER DALE C, JOHNSON STUDENT WORKER DENIS E, KUCERA ARBORETUM INFORMATION AID LOUIS B. MARTIN PLANT PHYSIOLOGIST JOHN T. MCGAH PLANT RECORDER RUSSELLA K, MCGAH LIBRARIAN (AN) BERNICE L. MCKEEN INTERMEDIATE TYPIST CLERK DEWEY E, NELSON ARBORETUM CURATOR EDWARD R. O'REILLY GUARD 0. POTTHAST, SR. UTILITY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR EDWARD J. PUGH ARBORETUM GARDENER GEORGE L. REUTER ARBORETUM INFORMATION AID (AN) JOHN B. RICHARDSON STUDENT WORKER FRANK SIMERLY PARK MAINTENANCE MAN HELPER GEORGE H. SPALDING ARBORETUM SUPERINTENDENT RUTH F, SPALDING TYPIST CLERK (AN) HAROLD R, STAFF PARK MAINTENANCE MAN HELPER JOHN E, STUMBO ARBORETUM GARDENER C. A, SULLIVAN SENIOR PARK MAINTENANCE MAN FRED E,. WALTERS PARK MAINTENANCE MAN HELPER ROBERT H. WHITSELL PARK MAINTENANCE MAN HELPER LOS ANGELES STATE AND COUNTY ARBORETUM OBJECTIVES THE HORTICULTURAL CENTER FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, PROVIDING FACILITIES FOR THE PROMOTION OF HORTICULTURE AND FLORICULTURE, FOSTERING MORE EXTENSIVE AND INTELLIGENT USE OF ORNAMENTAL PLANTS AND TREES TO ENHANCE THE BEAUTY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S GARDENS, PARKS, AND PARKWAYS. A CENTER FOR THE INTRODUCTION, TESTING AND IMPROVEMENT OF PLANTS ADAPT- ABLE TO SOUTHERN CALIFO A GARDENING SCHOOL FOR TRAINING GARDENERS, GARDEN SUPERINTENDENTS, PRO- PAGATORS AND OTHER SKILLED PERSONNEL REQUIRED BY COMMERCIAL AND PRIVATE NURSERIES AND GARDENS, WITH SPECIAL EVENTS AND A PORTION OF THE CURRICU- LUM OF INTEREST TO AMATEURS. A CENTER OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC STUDY, WORKING IN COLLABORATION WITH EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND WITH FEDERAL, STATE AND COUNTY DEPART- MENTS OF AGRICULTURE. AN INFORMATION CENTER, MAINTAINING A ate OF PLANTS CULTIVATED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, HERE SPECIMENS CAN READILY IDENTIFIED, AND PRACTICAL ADVICE GIVEN ON PLANTING, Faprackr ton AND CULTIVATION, A LIBRARY AND HERBARIUM. A PUBLICATION CENTER FOR BULLETINS, BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS OF HORTICULTURAL, BOTANICAL AND HISTORICAL INTEREST, A PRESERVE OF EARLY CALIFORNIA BUILDINGS AND AUTHENTIC HISTORICAL GARDENS. A BIRD SANCTUARY. LOS ANGELES STATE AND COUNTY ARBORETUM (Founded through the efforts of the Southern California Horticultural Institute). Sponsored by California Arboretum Foundation, Inc., and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. ADDRESS: 291 NORTH OLD RANCH ROAD. P.O. BOX 688 LOCATION: ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA TELEPHONE: DOUGLAS 7-3444 PUBLIC ENTRANCE: 301 N, BALDWIN AVE, ACCESSIBILITY LOCATED IN THE CITY OF ARCADIA, THE LOS ANGELES STATE AND COUNTY ARBORETUM LIES SOUTH OF COLORADO BOULEVARD AND WEST OF THE NEW EXTENSION OF BALDWIN AVENUE. IT IS LESS THAN 40 MINUTES RIDE BY AUTO- MOBILE FROM THE LOS ANGELES CIVIC CENTER AND ONLY 20 MINUTES FROM PASADENA'S CITY HALL. THE MAIN PUBLIC ENTRANCE FOR THE SUNDAY AND DAILY TOURS IS AT 301 N, BALDWIN AVENUE. Pasadena Blvd. R ° 3 F y Te 7 Pomona & f ¥ c~ Orive dre, a= Sen Bernerdi7e Frey’. ae CALIFORNIA ARBORETUM FOUNDATION, INC. A NON-PROFIT CORPORATION INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF CALIFORNIA, FEBRUARY 20, 1948. FROM ITS INCEPTION UNTIL JUNE 30, 1953 THE FOUNDATION, UNDER AGREEMENT WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, WAS CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF OPERATING AND DEVELOPING THE ARBORETUM. ON JULY 1, 1953, THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ARBORETA AND BOTANIC GARDENS WAS CREATED FOR THE PURPOSE OF OPERATING, MAINTAINING AND DEVELOP- ING THE ARBORETUM. CALIFORNIA ARBORETUM FOUNDATION, INC., AS OF JULY 1,1953, HAS THE FUNCTION OF CONDUCTING SPECIAL HISTORICAL, HORTICULTURAL, RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS AT THE LOS ANGELES STATE ” AND COUNTY ARBORETUM FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC. THE FOUNDATION IS ORGANIZED TO MAKE AVAILABLE MEMBERSHIPS OF VARY- ING CLASSIFICATIONS TO INDIVIDUALS, GARDEN CLUBS, PLANT SOCIETIES, OTHER SPONSORED GROUPS AND COMPANIES INTERESTED IN THE ARBORETUM'S ACTIVITIES. THE FOUNDATION PUBLISHES JOINTLY WITH THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURAL INSTITUTE A QUARTERLY JOURNAL, "LASCA LEAVES" DEVOTED TO HORTICULTURAL SUB- JECTS OF INTEREST TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, WHICH IS SENT TO ALL MEMBERS. ANNUAL .PLANT AND SEED DISTRIBUTIONS ARE MADE TO ALL MEMBERS EXCEPT ANNUAL ASSOCIATE MEMBERS, THE ARBORETUM FOUNDATION RECEIVES CONTRIBUTIONS, GRANTS, BEQUESTS, AND DONATIONS TOWARD ITS SPECIAL PROJECTS. ALL CONTRIBUTIONS DEDUCTIBLE ER FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS, FOR INFORMATION ABOUT MEMBERSHIP AND THE ACTIVITIES OF THE CALI- FORNIA ARBORETUM FOUNDATION, INC., WRITE OR TELEPHONE TO: MRS. LEE WRAY TURNER, EXEC. SECY. CALIFORNIA ARBORETUM FOUNDATION, INC. 291 NORTH OLD RANCH ROAD P, 0. BOX 688 ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA DOUGLAS 7-8207 DR. RUSSELL J. SEIBERT - AN APPRECIATION - BY SAMUEL AYRES, JR. CONFLICTING EMOTIONS ARE THE ORDER OF THE DAY AT THE LOS ANGELES STATE AND COUNTY ARBORETUM - REGRET AT THE LOSS OF DR. SEIBERT AND PRIDE IN THE FACT THAT OUR DIRECTOR WAS CHOSEN ABOVE ALL AVAILABLE CANDIDATES IN THE FIELD TO BECOME THE NEW DIRECTOR OF LONGWOOD GARDENS, THE FAMOUS ESTATE OF THE LATE PIERRE DU PONT, NEAR PHILADELPHIA. THE RESPONSIBILITY WHICH DR. SEIBERT HAS ASSUMED IN HIS NEW DUTIES IS PROBABLY RES as GREATER THAN THAT OF ANYONE IN THE FIELD © 9“ Saeco Re) UD OF BOTANY AND HORTICULTURE IN THE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY. NO? ONLY WILL HE HAVE CHARGE OF FURTHER DEVELOPING THE ALREADY BEAUTIFUL AND FAMOUS LONGWOOD GARDENS, BUT HE WILL DIRECT SYSTEMATIC WORLD-WIDE PLANT EXPLORATIONS IN SEARCH OF ORNAMENTAL PLANTS (SOME OF WHICH WE HOPE MAY ULTIMATELY LAND IN OUR ARBORETUM) . OUR REGRET AT LOSING DR. SEIBERT IS BASED UPON OUR AFFECTION FOR HIM, HIS BEAUTIFUL AND TALENTED WIFE AND HIS THREE ATTRACTIVE CHILDREN, AND FOR HIS EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE AS DIRECTOR DURING THESE PAST FIVE YEARS. OF PRIMARY IMPORTANCE IS DR. SEIBERT'S FRIENDLY PERSONALITY WHICH HAS INSURED CORDIAL RELATIONS WITH THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND OTHER COUNTY OFFICIALS AND WITH ALL MEMBERS OF THE STAFF, THE GOVERNING BOARD AND THE BOARD OF THE ARBORETUM FOUNDATION. PARALLELING HIS FINE PERSONALITY, DR. SEIBERT'S SCIENTIFIC BACKGROUND HAS LAUNCHED THE ARBORETUM ON A CAREER WHICH SHOULD PLACE IT AMONG THE BEST IN THE WORLD. A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT RESEARCH PROJECTS HAVE BEEN UNDERTAKEN DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS, SOME OF THEM IN COOPERATION WITH CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. ONE VERY PRACTICAL RESEARCH PROBLEM HAS HAD TO DO WITH THE STUDY AND PROPAGATION OF FIRE-RESISTANT PLANTS FOR USE ALONG FIRE- BREAKS AND IN BURNED-OVER AREAS, THE RESULTS OF THIS RESEARCH PROJECT ARE NOW BEING UTILIZED BY THE COUNTY AND NATIONAL FORESTRY SERVICES. FINALLY, DR, SEIBERT HAS DIRECTED AN EXTENSIVE PROPAGATION AND PLANTING PRO- GRAM ON THE ARBORETUM GROUNDS AND HAS SET THE STAGE FOR A LIVING MUSEUM OF BEAUTY AND OF EDUCATIONAL VALUE, A STAGE WHICH IS DESTINED TO BECOME ONE OF THE OUTSTANDING SHOW PLACES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. SO WE REGRETFULLY BID DR, SEIBERT A TEMPORARY FAREWELL. WE ARE CERTAIN THAT IT IS ONLY TEMPORARY BECAUSE HE HAS PROMISED TO KEEP US ON HIS VISITING LIST AND WE BELIEVE HE WILL FIND IT POSSIBLE TO MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE ARBORETUM wate OF THE PLANT TREASURES WHICH HIS TEAMS OF EXPLORERS WILL SEND BACK TO S COUNTRY. SO LONG, RUSS, AND THE BEST OF LUCK. GROUNDS DEVELOPMENT AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS THE LOS ANGELES STATE AND COUNTY ARBORETUM HAS JUST PAST THROUGH ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR --- A YEAR MARKED BY CONSIDERABLE ADVANCEMENT TOWARDS BRING- ING INTO LIVING REALITY, MORE AND MORE OF THE MASTER PLAN, A BRIEF SURVEY COVERING THE VARIOUS GEOGRAPHICAL AND SPECIAL SECTIONS OF THE ARBORETUM WILL INDICATE THAT OUR HORTICULTURAL PROGRAM HAS BEEN CARRIED ON TO THE FULLEST PRACTICAL EXTENT WITH THE EXISTING FACILITIES, BALDWIN AVENUE ESPLANAD THE FORTY FOOT WIDE STRIP ON THE EAST SIDE OF BALDWIN AVENUE, FROM COLORADO BOULEVARD SOUTH TO THE RACE TRACK FENCE, BELONGS TO THE ARBORETUM, TWO YEARS AGO, WE PLANTED A HEDGE OF CEANOTHUS AND ACACIAS BETWEEN THIS AREA AND THE ADJACENT PRIVATE PROPERTIES TO THE EAST, THIS HEDGE IS APPROXIMATELY SIX FEET HIGH NOW, AND GIVES PROMISE OF EXCELLENT BLOOM NEXT SPRING, WE'VE RE- CEIVED NUMEROUS COMMENTS OF APPROVAL AND REAL PLEASURE FROM THE RESIDENTS WHOSE PROPERTY BORDERS THIS PLANTING. ON THE WEST SIDE OF BALDWIN AVENUE, FROM COLORADO BOULEVARD SOUTH TO THE MAIN ENTRANCE, THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF DECORATIVE AND VALUABLE HORTICULTURAL DISPLAY PLANTINGS. FIRST, IN THE NORTHWEST CORNER (COLORADO & BALDWIN) IS A COLLECTION OF SPECI- MEN ACACIAS, THE STRIKING GLOW OF COLOR PRODUCED BY THE MYRIADS OF YELLOW BALLS OF FLOWERS THIS SPRING, RESULTED IN MANY INQUIRIES BY THE PUBLIC FOR _ INFORMATION CONCERNING THE KIND OF PLANTS AND METHODS FOR THEIR CULTURE. ALTHO, THIS PLANTING IS BUT TWO YEARS OLD, IT HAS NEEDED THINNING, AND WILL AGAIN BE A BEAUTY SPOT NEXT YEAR, SECOND, THE DIVIDING STRIP, BETWEEN PARKING LOT AND BALDWIN AVENUE, AND THE FENCE LINE AREA JUST WEST OF THE PARKING LOT, HAS BEEN ENHANCED BY LOW MAIN- TENANCE PLANTINGS. THE DIVERSIFICATION IN PLANT SPECIES OF WIDE RANGE GIVES COLOR HERE AND THERE ALONG THE ESPLANADE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, WE'RE JUSTLY PROUD OF THE GARDENER WHO HAS BEEN IN CHARGE OF THIS PARTICULAR AREA FOR THE PRIDE HE OBVIOUSLY TAKES IN MAINTAINING THE ATTRACTIVE "FRONT YARD" OF THE ARBORETUM. AUSTRALIAN SECTION MORE THAN 200 EUCALYPTUS (IN SOME 30 SPECIES AND VARIETIES) WERE ADDED TO THIS BIT OF AUSTRALIA IN ARCADIA, MEASUREMENTS OF SOME OF THE ESTABLISHED GROUNDS DEVELOPMENT AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS - continued TREES, INDICATED THAT CERTAIN SPECIMENS GREW MORE THAN SIX FEET IN A SINGLE YEAR. WE'VE BEEN A LITTLE SHY OF ADEQUATE WATER LINES IN THIS AREA —-- 500 FEET OF HOSE WERE NEEDED TO REACH CERTAIN NEW PLANTINGS --—- HOWEVER, THIS DID NOT DETER OUR PROGRESS. NEXT YEAR WE FEEL CERTAIN SUCH CONDITIONS WILL BE CORRECTED. LAST YEAR, THE COLORFUL BOTTLEBRUSH GROUP WAS ALMOST UNNOTICED. THIS YEAR, NO ONE CaULD MISS THE LACY, NEEDLE-LIKE FOLIAGE OR THE VIVID REDS, SOFT PINKS, THE MAGENTAS, OR WHITE "BRUSHES" (THE FLOWERS) OF THIS COLLECTION. WE HAVE LEARNED SOMETHING OF THE WATER REQUIREMENTS OF THESE PLANTS WHILE ENJOYING THEIR BLOOMS, ANOTHER AUSTRALIAN NATIVE -- ANIGOZANTHUS -- WAS TRANSPLANTED FROM A FIELD NURSERY TO ITS PERMANENT HOME IN THIS SECTION, RE-ESTABLISHMENT WAS RAPID AND EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL. THERE IS AN ACACIA COLLECTION INSIDE THE GROUNDS, AS WELL AS, OUTSIDE. SOME OF THE MORE RARE SPECIES OF THIS GROUP BLOOMED FOR THE FIRST TIME. RESULTING SEED WILL BE COLLECTED FOR OUR OWN USE AND FOR EXCHANGE PURPOSES. SOUTH AFRICAN SECTION SOUTH AFRICA IS THE HOME OF MANY BRIGHTLY FLOWERING PLANTS BELONGING TO THE COMPOSITE FAMILY. A VIGOROUS BEGINNING HAS BEEN MADE IN BRINGING THIS SECTION UP TO SUCH COLOR. BOTH WATERING PROBLEMS AND SOIL STUBBORNNESS HAVE PLAGUED THIS AREA FROM THE BEGINNING. THE YOUNG ARBORETUM GARDENER IN CHARGE OF THIS SECTION HAS DONE VERY COMMENDABLE WORK IN THE INITIAL STAGES OF DEVELOPING "SOUTH AFRICA", MEDITERRANEAN SECTION THIS SECTION IS THE LEAST DEVELOPED AND MOST OBVIOUSLY SO. BUT THERE'S AN EXCELLENT REASON, THROUGH A GREATER PORTION OF THIS AREA, THE ARCADIA WASH FLOOD CONTROL CHANNEL WILL BE CONSTRUCTED, DURING 1956. WE HAVE TRIED TO ADD SOME INTEREST HERE, NEVERTHELESS, BY PLANTING NATIVE CISTUS OR ROCK ROSE SPECIES IN SMALL BAYS ALONG THE ROAD EDGE, JUNGLE SECTION THE SCREECHING OF MONKEYS, THE HOOTING OF OWLS, THE ROAR OF A LION AND POSSIBLY A HYENA'S LAUGH ARE SOUNDS OFTEN HEARD FROM THE JUNGLE. TRUELY, THESE NOISES ARE EXPRESSIONS OF IMAGINATION BY THE CHILDREN TOURING THE GROUNDS DEVELOPMENT AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS - continued JUNGLE. IT'S A FASCINATING, UNIQUE, AND EVER POPULAR SPOT. IT'S THE ONLY REAL JUNGLE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. EACH YEAR, WE ADD SPECIMEN PLANTS OF A TROPICAL NATURE -- COFFEE TREES, GINGER, SWAMP IRIS, BIRDS-OF-PARADISE, BEGONIAS, EPIPHYLLUMS -- TO HIGH LIGHT WITH COLOR (ALSO TO TEST FOR HARDINESS) THIS AREA LIGHTED IN SHADES OF GREEN, APPROACHES TO THE EAST AND WEST ENDS OF THE JUNGLE HAVE BEEN PLANTED WITH ADDITIONAL TROPICAL SPECIES THIS YEAR, AND IN TIME THESE PLANTS WILL BECOME THE "LOW" JUNGLE. A SPECIMEN COLLECTION OF ORNAMENTAL GRASSES -- PAPYRUS, PAMPUS, LEMON -- LEAD AWAY FROM THE WEST END OF THE JUNGLE ALONG THE EDGE OF THE LAGOON. BAMBOO & PALM SECTION SOUTH ALONG BALDWIN AVENUE FROM THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF THE ARBORETUM AND CON- TINUING WEST ALONG THE SOUTH FENCE TO THE FOOT OF TALLAC KNOLL, SINOCALAMUS OLDHAMI, ONE OF THE TALLER BAMBOOS, WAS PLANTED THREE YEARS ACO TO FORM A HEDGE. THIS PLANTING IS RAPIDLY FILLING IN, SCREENING FROM THE ARBORETUM VISITOR BOTH HIGHWAY NOISE AND THE WORKING END OF A LOCAL RACE TRACK. ADDITIONAL SPECIES OF BAMBOOS AND PALMS (SEE ARBOR WEEK) HAVE BEEN PLANTED IN THIS SECTION, INCREASING THE VALUE AND INTEREST OF THESE TWO PLANT TYPES WHICH ARE NOT OF THE SHOWY FLOWER VARIETY. DOMESTIC LANDSCAPE SECTION THIS AREA, PLANTED EARLY IN THE ARBORETUM'S DEVELOPMENT IS BEGINNING TO TAKE ON THE LOOK OF MATURITY. PLANTS FROM ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD WHICH GIVE PROMISE OF LANDSCAPE VALUE ARE BEING PLANTED TOGETHER. SOME OF THEM WILL BE FOUND ELSEWHERE IN THEIR PROPER GEOGRAPHICAL SETTINGS. theca ogc IS A LESSON IN GENETICS COMBINED IN ONE PLANTING. ONE PACKET OF D PRODUCED BOTH LOW AND HIGH GROWING SHRUBS. A FORM OF ICE PLANT, THE FLOWERS OF WHICH BLAZE WHEN TOUCHED BY THE BRIGHT SUN. REDS, YELLOWS, ORANGE, MAGENTA, LAVANDER, AND PINK FAIRLY BLIND THE OBSERVER Ar NOON. THE MANY ” PETALLED ” FLOWERS SEEM COATED WITH A WAXY SUBSTANCE WHICH ACCOUNTS FOR THE GLITTER AND SPARKLE. CUTTINGS FROM THESE PLANTS HAVE BEEN PLANTED TO FORM LOW BORDERS ALONG THE MAIN ENTRANCE AND SPOTS IN THE NORTH BALDWIN PARKING STRIP. OLD FASHIONED ROSE GARDEN A COMPANION OF THE HERB GARDEN, BUT AS YET VERY EMBRYONIC. THIS GARDEN WILL FEATURE ROSES INTRODUCED Poe TO 1905. HERB GARDEN IT MAY WELL BE THAT THE HERB GAR- DEN IS THE "STAR" OF THE ARBOR- ETUM THIS YEAR, BASIC GRADING WAS COMPLETED IN APRIL AND AS WE REACH THE END OF JUNE, THE GENERAL PATTERN IS CLEARLY EVIDENT. THE OUTLINE OF THE KNOT GARDEN HAS EMERGED AND THE KITCHEN GARDEN IS WELL ALONG, PRELIMINARY SKETCHES FOR A DIPPING WELL IN THE KITCHEN GARDEN HAVE BEZN DRAWN AND THE OUTLINE FOR THE MEDIEVAL WALLED GARDEN HAS BEEN DEVELOPED. THE HEADERS FOR THE PATHS THROUGHOUT THE GARDEN HAVE BEEN PUT IN AND THE MAJOR PATHS COVERED WITH CRUSHED ROCK, THE PATTERN AND PLAN OF SUCH A DIFFERENT GARDEN WILL, IN ITSELF, STRIKE THE MODERN VISITOR AS UNIQUE AND PLEASURABLE: BUT MORE THAN THIS --- HERE'S A USEFUL BIT OF HORTI- CULTURE WHICH REACHES BACK TO THE VERY EARLIEST OF BOTANY AND PLANT LORE, THIS GARDEN IS A LIVING SYMBOL OF MAN'S PROGRESS (HORTICULTURALLY AT LEAST) THROUGH THE AGES. WE ARE ALL GRATEFUL TO MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA UNIT OF THE HERB SOCIETY OF AMERICA FOR THEIR WILLINGNESS AND ACTUAL ASSISTANCE IN DEVELOPING THIS GARDEN, THEY NOT ONLY SHOULDERED THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF THE BOXWOOD PLANTS, THE REDWOOD HEADERS, AND THE CRUSHED ROCK; BUT IN ADDITION, FURNISHED DATA ON THE CULTURE OF HERBS, MISS EDNA NEUGABAUER GAVE US AN OUTSTANDING COLLECTION OF LAVANDER SPECIES AND VARIETIES. MRS. A. D. RICHARDSON, 1954-55 PRESIDENT, HAS DIRECTED THE SOCIETY'S WORK, GIVING CONSTANT ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE ARBORETUM COMMITTEE ABLY HEADED BY MISS RUTH RANDALL. WE EXTEND OUR SINCERE THANKS TO ALL THE MEMBERS AND LOOK FORWARD TO ANOTHER FINE YEAR OF COOPERATION WITH THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA UNIT UNDER THEIR NEW PRESIDENT, MRS. CECELIA WILLARD WILCOX, TROPICAL GARDEN HERE, WE REALLY ARE EXPERIMENTING! IN THIS ABANDONED EARTH RESERVOIR, ATOP TALLAC KNOLL, THE CYMBIDIUMS PLANTED ON THE SLOPING INNER WALL BLOOMED PRO- FUSELY THIS YEAR, FURTHER, AROUND THE SIDE, THE SPECIES BEGONIAS IMPART YEAR AROUND COLOR, WIRED TO TRUNK AND LIMB, IARDY CRCHIDS AND BROMELIADS ARE BEING TESTED FOR A LIFE OUT-OF-DOORS, UNDER SOME PROTECTION. SOME OF THESE GROUNDS DEVELOPMENT AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS - continued ALSO BLOOMED THIS YEAR. IN VARIOUS SPOTS ARE PLANTED TREE SPECIMENS OF THE FICUS GROUP --- A DONATION OF DR, CONDIT -—. THE REALLY OUTSTANDING EVENT IN THIS AREA WAS THE LEAFING OUT AND BLOOMING OF THE SOUTH AMERICAN TABEBUIAS (SEE ARBORETUM PUBLICATIONS, DR. SEIBERT). IF THESE TREES CAN BE GROWN TO MATURITY, THE ARBORETUM WILL HAVE BROUGHT A SPECTACULAR SPLASH OF COLOR AND GRACEFUL BEAUTY TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, MUCH INFORMATION WILL BE GLEANED FROM THIS SPECIAL SECTION, VALUABLE TO THE HOME OWNER WHO WISHES COLOR AND INTERESTING FOLIAGE WITH HARDINESS, THE BUILDINGS THIS FISCAL YEAR SAW THE COMPLETION OF THREE PERMANENT BUILDINGS. 1) THE HEADHOUSE, CONTAINING A POTTING ROOM, SHOWER AND LOCKER ROOM, PLANT RECORDS OFFICE AND UTILITY ROOM WHICH HOUSES THE STEAM GENERATING PLANT USED FOR STERILIZING SOIL, POTS, AND OTHER EQUIPMENT. 2) THE PUBLIC RESTROOMS. 3) THE FIRST WING OF OUR SERVICE UNIT. THIS UNIT CONTAINS DOUBLE GARAGES, A TOOL ROOM, RESTROOM, AND AN ELECTRICAL VAULT. ALL ELECTRICAL AND TELEPHONE WIRES ON THE ARBORETUM GROUNDS WILL ENTER FROM THIS VAULT. THESE NEW BUILD- INGS HAVE ENABLED US TO INCREASE OUR EFFICIENCY OF OPERATION AND THE PLANTS WILL MOVE INTO THE PERMANENT PLANTINGS AT AN EVER INCREASING PACE. AS WITH ANY VIGOROUSLY GROWING ORGANIZATION, BUILDING FACILITIES ALWAYS SEEM TO LAG BEHIND THE IDEAS AND AMBITIONS OF THE PERSONNEL. ADDITIONAL GREEN- HOUSE AND SERVICE SPACE AND EQUIPMENT ARE URGENTLY NEEDED IN SPITE OF THE NEWNESS OF THE ABOVE CONSTRUCTIONS. WE FEEL CONFIDENT THAT A FORWARD LOOKING COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AND INCREAS- ING PUBLIC USE AND INTEREST PRESAGES A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR THE ARBORETUM. ~ 10 «= SERVICE BUILDING HEADHOUSE ND GREENHOUSE PUBLIC RESTROOM oat HORTICULTURAL THE PUBLIC IS UNAWARE OF MUCH OF THE REAL WORK GOING ON IN THE ARBORETUM. INCREASE OF OUR PLANT COLLECTIONS IS CARRIED OUT AT A STEADY DAY BY DAY PACE, MUCH AS A PLANT ITSELF GROWS, THE FOLLOWING DATA ILLUSTRATES THE EFFORTS OF THE PROPAGATION, PLANT RECORDS, AND SECTION GARDEN DIVISIONS OF THE ARBORETUM: 1. ACCESSIONS ACCESSIONS OF 2,276 SEED AND PLANT MATERIALS WERE RECEIVED DURING THE FISCAL YEAR 1954-1955, FROM VARIOUS SOURCES BOTH FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC. THIS FIGURE BRINGS THE TOTAL OF 12,836 ACCESSIONS HANDLED SINCE THE ARBORETUM'S INCEPTION IN 1948. 2. PROPAGATION, SEED AND PLANT CONTROL 1ST QTR. 2ND QTR. 3RD QTR. 4TH QTR. TOTALS ACCESSIONS 432 402 725 717 2276 SEED PLANTED 391 277 281 334 1483 CUTTINGS INSERTED 2586 152 673 1083 4494 INTO 1 GALLON CANS 2666 3067 1305 1425 8463 INTO 5 GALLON CANS 65 89 18 200 372 PERMANENT FIELD PLANTING 2402 3937 4223 5523 16185 EXPERIMENTAL & TEST PLANTING 99 i a 484 vepeiag. 583 3. SEED AND PLANT EXCHANGE AS DURING PREVIOUS YEARS, SURPLUS SEED AND PLANTS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO VARIOUS BOTANICAL GARDENS, ARBORETA , UNIVERSITIES AND GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS ON AN EXCHANGE BASIS, MANY OF OUR LOS ANGELES COUNTY INSTITUTIONS WERE GIVEN PLANTS FOR LANDSCAPING PURPOSES. THE FOLLOWING QUANTITIES WERE DISTRIBUTED OR EXCHANGED: SEED PLANTS RECEIVED SENT RECEIVED SENT FOREIGN 483 Tit 4 NONE DOMESTIC 364 239 1379 3148 moe ee HORTICULTURAL =— continued 4. CONDITION AND SURVIVAL REPORTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH REQUESTS, REPORTS HAVE BEEN FORWARDED TO THOSE INSTITU- TIONS ASKING FOR INFORMATION. IN MOST CASES, THESE REPORTS APPLIED TO MATERIAL RECEIVED FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PLANT INTRODUCTION GARDENS, WE DID, HOWEVER, FORWARD REPORTS TO OTHER INSTITU- TIONS BOTH FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC, o>. filo ALWAYS, THE IMPORTANCE OF A PUBLIC INSTITUTION TO ITS COMMUNITY IS MEASURED, IN PART, BY THE GIFTS IT RECEIVES, EACH YEAR, THE ARBORETUM HAS PROSPERED THROUGH GIFTS FROM THE CALIFORNIA ARBORETUM FOUNDATION, INC, THEIR DONATIONS INCLUDED: ROSES, BEGONIAS, AZALEA HYBRIDS, ORCHIDS, SEEDS, AND VARIOUS SPECIMEN PLANTS. WEATHER DAILY READINGS OF TEMPERATURES, RAINFALL AND EVAPORATION HAVE BEEN RENDERED MONTHLY TO THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT OFFICE FROM THE ARBORETUM WEATHER STATION NO. 1037-E, IN ADDITION, WEATHER INFORMATION IS GIVEN TO THE CITY OF ARCADIA WATER DEPARTMENT AND ARCADIA CITY HALL. DAILY WEATHER REPORTS ARE OF CONSIDERABLE IMPORTANCE TO THE SUCCESS OF PLANT MANAGE- MENT. ONE OF THE MANY SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITIES OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IS EMBODIED IN THIS TYPE OF REPORT: LASCA WEATHER FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1954-1955 —_________L EMPERATURES . RAINFALL — EVAPORATION AVERAGE PEAKS INCHES INCHES MONTH ___MIN, _MAX, _MIN,__ MAX, _ MEAN _ MONTH _ MONTH _ v4 O1.3 - 9745 ot... 106. . 194 w=: 6, 515 AUGUST $8.0... 90.4 50, .. 106. 74.2, -—-——— 5.780 S ok PY gee Ais. t0h, 73.7. ee 5260 OCTOBER Mince. Been eee 9 Bond. ae lee NOVEMBER 44.9 82.6 35. a OM 2.07 20a DECEMBER Rhode. yn God r 4a 84. She4 “> paige ie JANUARY leads: = Oe ae 80. 49.6 5.82 885 FEBRUARY 860. Dom 30. Bie a aed 5 a blige CH 43.9 73.8 35. oo. 58.8 4,06 = 3,570 APRIL 43.9. 75.6 36. 88. 59.7 +090 °° See MAY AS Sie aay ag 39. O72, Ok 2 9, I a8 JUNE 53-4. 81.7 45. ie Ge -03 5.440 TOTAL INCHES ---- 13.91 46.165 a35 = SPECIAL PROJECTS EXPERIMENTAL FIRE RESISTANT PLANTS THIS EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM, STARTED A YEAR AGO, HAS BEEN CONTINUED. THE CISTUS OR ROCK ROSE PLANT WAS STILL THE PRIMARY RESEARCH SUBJECT. TWO PHASES OF WORK WERE CONSIDERED. FIRST, GERMINATION AND SURVIVAL OF FIELD SOWN SEED. IN JANUARY, 1954, TEN CISTUS SPECIES WERE SEEDED ON A FIRE BREAK IN THE MOUN- TAINS ABOVE MONROVIA, CALIF. THE FIRST SEEDLING COUNT WAS MADE IN MAY, 1954. A SECOND AND THIRD COUNT WAS MADE IN SEPTEMBER, 1954 AND MARCH 1955, RESPECTIVE- LY. SEEDLINGS WERE IN EVIDENCE AT EACH COUNT. GROWTH OF THE SEEDLINGS IN- DICATED THAT a) SOME HAD SURVIVED FROM THE MAY COUNT: WHILE b) OTHERS HAD DIED, BUT WERE REPLACED BY A NEW CROP BETWEEN THE SEPTEMBER AND MARCH COUNT. FROM THESE OBSERVATIONS, THE FOLLOWING ASSUMPTIONS SEEM JUSTIFIABLE: 1) CISTUS SEEDS WILL GERMINATE UNDER CONDITIONS OF POOR SOIL AND MINIMUM RAINFALL; 2) FROM A LARGE ENOUGH SEEDING, SOME SEEDLINGS WILL SURVIVE THE RIGORS OF FIELD LIFE; AND 3) THE LENGTH "OF TIME THAT THE SEED IS VIABLE PERMITS ONE SEEDING TO. PRODUCE PLANTS FOR MORE THAN ONE SEASON, IN ADDITION TO DIRECT SEEDING, THE FLOOD CONTROL DIVISION OF THE U. S. FOREST SERVICE IS TESTING TRANSPLANTED SEEDLINGS (SUPPLIED BY THE ARBORETUM VARIOUS MOUNTAIN LOCATIONS. OF PARTICULAR NOTE ARE THE PLANTINGS ON THE LANNON CANYON EARTH DAM, ARCADIA, CALIF. THESE PLANTS ESTABLISHED A YEAR AGO, HAVE THIS YEAR FLOWERED AND PRODUCED SEED. THE RE-SEEDING POTENTIALS OF THESE PLANTS WILL BE WATCHED WITH GREAT INTEREST BY BOTH FEDERAL AND COUNTY INVESTIGATORS. SECOND, A FLUCTUATION IN THE NUMBER OF SEEDS GERMINATING WAS NOTICED DURING GREENHOUSE TRIALS WITH CISTUS. IN THE SAME POT OR FLAT OF SEEDS, PERIODS OF MUCH GERMINATION FOLLOWED BY PERIODS OF LITTLE GERMINATION. THUS THE TIME OF GERMINATION OF A GIVEN LOT OF SEED WAS QUITE EXTENSIVE. AN UNDERSTANDING OF THIS PHENOMENA COULD BE USEFUL IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CISTUS IN THE FIELD. A SERIES OF GERMINATION EXPERIMENTS WERE CONDUCTED. VARIOUS PRE-TREATMENTS WERE GIVEN THE SEED. TESTS WERE ALSO ARRANGED AT THE EARHART LABORATORY, CAL TECH, PASADENA. TO DATE NO CLEAR CONCLUSION CAN BE DRAWN FROM THESE VARIOUS TESTS WHICH WOULD SHED LIGHT ON THIS PECULIAR GERMINATION ACTION, THE ONE FACT DEMONSTRATED TO DATE IS THAT CISTUS IS CAPABLE OF GERMINATION UNDER EXTREMELY VARIED CONDITIONS. FURTHER WORK IS IN PROGRESS. ee SPECIAL PROJECTS - continued HERBICIDE TRIALS THREE CHEMICALS SEEM PARTICULARLY USEFUL FOR FURTHER TESTING, FOLLOWING SMALL PLOT TESTS, ALNAP-1 (NAUGATUCK CHEMICAL CO.) EFFECTIVE AGAINST SUCH WEEDS AS RAGWEED , CKICKWEED, ETC., WITHOUT APPARENT DAMAGE TO ZOYSIA MATRELLA, A STOLO- NIFEROUS GRASS, DALAPON (DOW CHEMICAL CO.) EFFECTIVE ON WEEDS AND GRASSES. KILLED BER- MUDA GRASS AT ALL CONCENTRATIONS: SOME BERMUDA REGROWTH AT LOWEST CON- CENTRATION OF CHEMICAL, IF CAREFULLY APPLIED THIS CHEMICAL MAY BE USE- FUL FOR EDGING BERMUDA GRASS PLOTS, LAWNS, OR GRASS BREAKING THROUGH AS- PHALT PAVING, PREMERGE (DOW CHEMICAL CO.) A GENERAL WEED KILLER, APPLIED BEFORE EMER- GENCE OF CROP PLANT, CAREFUL APPLICATICNS TO PLANT CONTAINERS CHOKED WITH YOUNG WEEDS WAS PARTLY SUCCESSFUL REDUCING WEEDING BY HAND, APPLIED AS A POST-EMERGENT SPRAY, WEEDS ARE KILLED, BUT REGROWTH IS SOON AP- PARENT. HERBICIDE AND SOIL STERILANT VAPAN (STAUFFER CHEMICAL CO.) IS A NEW SOIL STERILANT AND HERBICIDE, APPLIED TO PLOTS OF PURE RAGWEED OR PURE BINDWEED, 100% KILL WAS ACHIEVED, NO REGROWIH IN THESE PLOTS WAS APPARENT TWO MONTHS AFTER TREATMENT. TESTS OF SOIL STERILIZATION FOR BOTH POTTING AND CANNING SOIL ARE UNDER OBSERVATION, A MAJOR DISADVANTAGE OF ALL THE PRESENT WEED KILLERS AND SOIL STERILANTS WHICH DIRECTLY CONCERN THE ARBORETUM, IS THAT FEW CAN BE USED AROUND ESTAB- LISHED PLANTINGS FOR WEED CONTROL WITHOUT THE FEAR OF DAMAGE TO THE PLANT SPECIMEN, ALL THE ABOVE CHEMICALS WERE SUPPLIED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS EXPERIMENTAL SAMPLES FREE OF CHARGE, THE MANUFACTURER'S NAMES ARE INCLUDED FOR CLARITY AND DCES NOT INDICATE ENDORSEMENT OF PRODUCT. TURFGRASS STUDIES CONCERNED WITH TURFGRASSES FOR THE HOME WERE CONTINUED. THE FOLLOW- ING GRASSES ARE GROWING AS PURE PLOTS AT THE ARBORETUM: ZOYSIA MATRELLA 445 BERMUDA, EVERGLADES #3 ZOYSIA MATRELLA 1304 BERMUDA, HALL'S U-3 ZOYSIA MATRELLA #73 BERMUDA, "MAGENNISII" ZOYSIA MATRELLA "FLAWN" {ICROLAENA STIPOIDES ZOYSIA JAPONICA AGROSTIS STOLONIFERA ZOYSIA JAPONICA VAR. "MEYER" VAR, STOLONIFERA ZOYSIA TENUIFOLIA "LUCKY" BALDWIN BLUE GRASS BERMUDA, EVERGLADES #2 TA FESCUE AL MEADOW FESCUE — SPECIAL PROJECTS - continued CUITING HEIGHT CHANGE FROM 3" TO 3/4" IMPROVED QUALITY OF ROTH THE BERMUDA AND ZOYSIA TURFS. IN ADDITION, CLOSE MOWING REDUCED MAT BUILD-UP, THUS ELIMINATING FALL SCALPING OF THESE LAWNS. A QUICK METHOD OF PLANTING ZOYSIA MATRELLA PROVED SUCCESSFUL. NO SEED SOURCE OF THIS GRASS IS AVAILABLE, VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION IS MANDATORY, SMALL SPRIGS OF THIS GRASS TAKE YEARS TO COVER AN AREA, TRIALS HERE SHOWED THAT BY SCATTERING QUANTITIES OF SMALL CLUMPS OF STOLONS OVER THE SURFACE OF THE PRO- POSED LAWN AREAS, COVERING WITH ONE OR TWO INCHES OF SAWDUST, AND KEEPING THE WHOLE AREA WELL WATERED THAT ESTABLISHMENT OF SUCH A LAWN IS POSSIBLE, GRASS COVERAGE PRODUCED BY SUCH A PROCEDURE IS VERY MUCH ACCELERATED, COMPATABILITY TRIALS OF EVERGLADES BERMUDA #2 AND #3 AND HALL'S U-3 BERMUDA PLUGGED INTO ESTABLISHED MERION BLUE GRASS TURF, RESULTED IN A COMPLETE RUN- OUT OF THE BLUE GRASS IN A LITTLE OVER A YEAR'S TIDE, THE NEW ZEALAND GRASS, MICROLAENA STIPOIDES » MAINTAINED ITS GREEN COLOR THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. IT APPEARS TO BE MORE GREEN DURING THE COOLER SEASONS : HOWEVER, THIS YEAR'S MAINTENANCE OF THE LAWN AT A 13" CUT APPEARED SUCCESS- FUL, CLOSER CUTTING WILL BE ATTEMPTED THIS NEXT YEAR, SEED WAS COLLECTED FOR FURTHER TRIALS, BOTH AT THE ARBORETUM AND ELSEWHERE IN THE WEST. INFORMATION WAS AGAIN COLLECTED AS TO THE TIME OF YEAR THAT THE VARIOUS BERMUDAS AND ZOYSIA TURNED BROWN AND WHEN REGROWTH APPEARED. THESE DATA ARE USEFUL WHEN CONSIDERING BREEDING AND SELECTION FOR BETTER GRASS STRAINS, MEASUREMENTS THE ANNUAL MEASUREMENT OF THE RATE OF GROWTH OF SELECTED TREES AND SHRUBS WAS REPEATED, IN MANY CASES, THE INCREASE IN GROWTH WAS CONSIDERABLE OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S MEASUREMENTS, THIS WOULD INDICATE THAT THE PLANTS WERE SUCCESSFULLY ESTABLISHED IN THE FIELD POSITIONS, THESE AND SIMILAR DATA ARE ADDED TO THE INDIVIDUAL PLANT RECORD CARDS WHICH BEAR PROPAGATION AND GROW- ING INFORMATION AS WELL. SUCH KNOWLEDGE IS VALUABLE TO BOTH THE HOME OWNER AND PROFESSIONAL PLANTSMAN WHEN CONSIDERING LANDSCAPING PROBLEMS USING NEW OR UNTRIED PLANT MATERIAL, . nati mile { Oe e tha, whe 2 LIBRARY AMONG THE 71 VOLUMES PURCHASED FOR THE LIBRARY, THREE WERE PARTICULARLY OUTSTANDING IN THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE FIELD OF BOTANY AND HORTICULTURE. THE FIRST, CURTIS'S BOTANICAL MAGAZINE, 51 BOUND VO PUBLICATION, MR. CURTIS BEGAN HIS SERIES IN 1793: THE YEARS FROM 1793-1331. THESE ORIG SECOND (ONE OF THE 10 REMAINING COPIES OF J. J. OCHSE'S FRUIT AND FRUIT- f 5 : WORLD WAR II AND IMPRISONMENT OF THE OCHSE FAMILY, ALL HOPES FOR HIS BOOK WERE LOST. AFTER THR WAR, A SEARCH FOR COPIES WAS MADE; FINALLY IN AN OBSCURE BOOK STORER IN THE ORIENT, 10 VOLUMES WERE DISCOVERED. THE-VALUE OF THE PLANT MAT DESCRIBED AND THE HAND COLORED PLATES A ESTIMABLE TO THE FIELD\OF HORTICULTURE. \ LAST, FROM SPAIN CAME TH BOTANICA DEI 5VO_ REINO T % IN 1760 PED os OTANIST NAMED MUTIS. SH OVER SRTAKING THE PUBLICATION © £ NOTES 0 NG THE FLORA OF NEW SPAIN, NOTES END OF THE EXPEDITION. \ \ OF THE GIFTS TO THR LIBRARY, THE 17 BOUND VOLUMES OF THE U,S,D.A, PLANT INTRODUCTION INVENTORIES, 1-126 SHOULD BE NOTED. WE THANK THE U\ S. DEPART- MENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THEIR GENEROSITY. STATISTICALLY, THE LIBRARY GREW AS FOLLOWS: CURRENT PERIODICALS EXCHANGE 66 \ SUBSCRIPTIONS 33 \ GIFTS 9 BINDINGS BOOKS PERIODICALS val THE IMPORTANCE QF THE BRARY, INDICA INCREASING REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE BY STAFF AND THE FERAL PUBL] AS” THE ARBORETUM CCNTINUES TO GROW, RESULTED IN THE APPOINTMENT Of A-PULL TIME LIBRARIAN, — w iw Supervisor John Anson Ford e Board of Supervisors of Los Angeles County The Board of Governors of the Department of Arboreta and Botanic Gardens he Board of Trustees of California Arboretum Foundation, Inc. Cordially invite your attendance at the Formal Opening and Tour of the LOS ANGELES STATE and COUNTY ARBORETUM 301 N. Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia Calif. Saturday, January 8, 1955 at 2:00 p.m. ° NO INVITATION HAS EVER BEEN SENT OFF WITH AS JOYOUS A FEELING AND PRIDE AS THIS, ANNOUNCING THE OPENING OF THE LOS ANGELES STATE AND COUNTY ARBORETUM TO THE CITIZENS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND OF THE WORLD. DIGNITARIES, BOTH OF THE BOTANICAL WORLD, AS WELL AS, IN PUBLIC SERVICE FROM ALL AREAS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA ATTENDED THE FORMAL OPENING, THE INVOCATION BY DR. J. DAVIS BARNARD, PASTOR OF THE ARCADIA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, OPENED THE SPECIAL CEREMONY COMMEMORATING THIS EVENT. DR. FRITS W. WENT OF CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE CALI- FORNIA ARBORETUM FOUNDATION, INC,, ACTED AS MASTER OF CEREMONIES. DR. SAMUEL AYRES, JR., PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ARBORETA AND BOTANIC GARDENS OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, GAVE THE WELCOMING ADDRESS. DR. WENT THEN INTRODUCED SUPERVISOR JOHN ANSON FORD, CHAIRMAN OF THE ARBORETA AND BOTANIC GARDENS BOARD: SUPERVISORS ROGER JESSUP, BURTON W. CHACE, AND KENNETH HAHN; NEWTON DRURY AND AUBREY NESHAM, CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF THE STATE DIVISION OF BEACHES AND PARKS, MR. JOSEPH KNOWLAND, CHAIRMAN OF THE STATE PARK COMMISSION AND PRESIDENT OF THE CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, GAVE AN ADDRESS IN DEDICATION OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ARBORETUM A FEELING OF JUSTIFIABLE PRIDE PREVAILED OVER THE WHOLE OF THE ASSEMBLED GROUP FOR THE PART EACH CONTRIBUTED IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THIS FUTURE WORLD CENTER OF BOTANICAL AND HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE, MR. JOSEPH KNOWLAND SPEAKING AT THE DEDICATION CEREMONY OF THE INVITATIONAL PUBLIC OPENING OF THE LOS ANGELES STATE AND COUNTY ARBORETUM, JANUARY 8, 1955. SUNDAY TOURS BEGINNING SUNDAY, JANUARY 9, 1955, AND EACH SUNDAY THEREAFTER, THE GROUNDS OF THE ARBORETUM HAVE BEEN OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR FREE TOURS WITHOUT APPOINTMENTS. THE CONDUCTED TOUR, AT PRESENT THE ONLY WAY ANYONE SEES THE ARBORETUM, IS ACCOMPLISHED BY JEEP DRAWN, SIGHT-SEEING TRAMS WHICH LEAVE THE BALDWIN AVENUE GATE APPROXIMATELY EVERY HALF HOUR BETWEEN 10:30 A.M. AND 4:00 P.M. WHILE RIDING, THE VISITOR PASSES THROUGH ALL SECTIONS OF THE ARBORETUM (SOUTH AFRICA, AUSTRALIA , SOUTH AMERICA, ETC.). A SHORT WALKING-LECTURE TAKES ONE THROUGH THE COACH "BARN, THE RESTORED AND FURNISHED "QUEEN ANNE" COTTAGE, THE REID ADOBE HOUSE, AND THE JUNGLE. THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE OF THE JOURNEY COMPETENT ARBOR- ETUM NATURALISTS EXPLAIN THE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE ARBORETUM, AS WELL AS, INFORM THEIR LISTENERS ABOUT THE PLANTS GROWING IN THE VARIOUS SECTIONS. AS OUR VISITORS LEAVE, EACH IS ASKED TO FILL OUT A REGISTRATION CARD. AFTER REVIEWING THE "REMARKS" COLUMN OF THOUSANDS OF THESE CARDS, WE KNOW THAT OUR VISITORS HAVE SPENT AN ENJOYABLE AND EDUCATIONAL HOUR WITH US, THAT MANY HAVE MADE THE TOUR AGAIN AND AGAIN, AND THAT THE PURPOSE AND PROGRAM OF THE ARBOR- ETUM IS UNDERSTOOD AND APPRECIATED BY THE PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY SUPPORT OUR ENDEAVORS. THE DIRECTOR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS, AND THE ARBORETUM STAFF ARE ENTHUSIASTIC OVER THE RESPONSE TO OUR EFFORTS IN OUR YOUNG ARBORETUM, THESE FIGURES ARE OF PARTICULAR INTEREST: TOTAL SUNDAY ATTENDANCE ------- 22,612 (CFFICIAL COUNTER) on oe | — — CALIFORNIA 715 3,469 LOS ANGELES COUNTY OUT OF STATE 989 Seti 11,387 SAN GABRIEL VALLEY —— FOREIGN $1 THE "OUT OF STATE" GROUP REPRESENTED EVERY STATE IN THE UNION, WITH THE EX- CEPTION OF SOUTH DAKOTA, ARKANSAS, VIRGINIA AND DELAWARE. (MAP DATA FROM VISITOR CARD). DAILY TOURS THE "FOREWORD" TO THIS SECTION, IN THE HANDWRITING OF AN EIGHTH GRADER, EX- PRESSES POINTEDLY THE VALUE OF THE ARBORETUM TO ONE GROUP OF VISITORS, THIS GROUP REPRESENTS THE SECOND LARGEST OF THE DAILY TOUR ATTENDANCE, TO ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE SCOUTS, BROWNIES, BLUE BIRDS, ETC., THE ARBORETUM MEANS NATURE EXPERIENCES, OUT-OF-DOOR LORE, AND HISTORICAL CALIFORNIA. OUR COLLEGE LEVEL VISITORS COME GENERALLY TO BROADEN THEIR BOTANICAL KNOW- LEDGE OF PLANT MATERIAL AND THE MANAGEMENT OF NURSERY, LATHHOUSE, AND GREEN- HOUSE, RELIGIOUS GROUPS FIND INSPIRATION IN OBSERVING THE MANY BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLES OF GOD'S HANDIWORK IN NATURE, GARDEN CLUB MEMBERS WANT TO SEE WHAT IS "NEW" AND USEFUL IN THE WORLD OF HORTICULTURE AND GARDENING. THE TOURS, AS THEY ARE NOW CONDUCTED, SUPPLY THE GREATEST SERVICE IN THE FORM OF HORTICULTURAL AND HISTORICAL INFORMATION TO THE MOST NUMBER OF VISITORS. ARE DAILY TOURS DIFFERENT FROM THE SUNDAY TOURS? ONLY WITH THE EXCEPTION THAT APPOINTMENTS IN ADVANCE MUST BE MADE THROUGH OUR ARBORETUM OFFICE. COMPETENT LEADERSHIP PREVAILS FOR BOTH SUNDAY AND DAILY TOUR SCHEDULES. FOR TOUR STATISTICS, PLEASE TURN PAGE. DAILY ARBORETUM TOURS ATTENDANCE FOR JULY 1954 TO JUNE 1955 TOWNS REPRESENTED ALHAMBRA MONTEBELLO ALTADENA MONTEREY PARK ARCADIA MONROVIA ARTESIA NEWPORT BEACH BALDWIN PARK ONTARIO NUMBERS IN THE BURBANK PASADENA MAJOR INTEREST GROUPS CLAREMONT SO, PASADENA COVINA POMONA 2500 WEST COVINA PUENTE gee DOWNEY ROSEMEAD DUARTE SAN GABRIEL EAGLE ROCK SAN MARINO EL MONTE SANTA MONICA EL SERENO 2000 HOLLYWOOD TEMPLE CITY LA CANADA VAN NUYS LA VERNE WESTMINSTER oe LOS ANGELES WESTWOOD HILLS WHITTIER 1500 TOTAL ATTENDANCE: 7180 1000 500 fe) SCOUTS SCHOOLS COLLEGE RELIGIOUS GARDEN ALL ADULTS CUBS GROUPS CLUBS OTHER BROWNIES YOUTH BLUEBIRDS GROUPS CAMPFIRE SPECIAL GROUNDS PERMITS Hi GROUNDS PERMIT : 2 ‘o) = eo | tt ee is permitted to: ahr 3 ‘s) ey fs fx, o) Date: EXCHANGE OF PLANT MATERIAL PLANT IDENTIFICATION GREENHOUSE OR LATHHOUSE CONSTRUCTION ORNITHOLOGY DISTINGUISHED BOTANISTS, ETC. PUBLICITY FOR THE ARBORETUM ARBORETUM FOUNDATION MEMBERS IF ONE QUALIFIES UNDER ANY OF THE ABOVE OR SIMILAR TYPES OF SPECIALIZED TRAIN- ING OR INTERESTS, OUR RECEPTIONIST GLADLY ISSUES A SPECIAL GROUNDS PERMIT. THIS PERMIT ALLOWS THE INDIVIDUAL TO USE THE ARBORETUM FACILITIES WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF A GUIDE. SINCE THESE PERMITS ARE RETURNED TO THE OFFICE AT THE CONCLUSION OF ONE'S BUSINESS, WE HAVE A PERMANENT RECORD OF SUCH PUBLIC SERVICE RENDERED. TOTAL NUMBER OF SUCH VISITORS WAS - - 141. ee ee A PARTY THE STAFF ENTERTAINS DR. AND MRS. SEIBERT AT A FAREWELL PARTY IN THE MALL AND WISHES SUCCESS TO DR. SEIBERT IN HIS NEW POSITION AS DIRECTOR OF LONGWOOD GARDENS. ARBOR WEEK WHILE DR. R. J. SEIBERT WATCHES WITH SMILING APPROVAL, MRS. WALDO HANDY, PRESIDENT OF THE LOS ANGELES GARDEN CLUB ASSISTED BY SUPERVISOR JOHN ANSON FORD PLANTS A NEW MEMBER OF OUR PALM COLLECTION, THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF THE LOS ANGELES GARDEN CLUB IN COMMEMORATION OF ARBOR WEEK, FIVE PALM SPECIES WERE ADDED TO OUR COLLECTION. THESE PALMS WERE: LIVISTONA MARIAE, A BRONZE LEAVED PALM; ERYTHEA ELEGANS, A DWARF PALM; BUTIA CAPITATA, THE "PINDO" PALM OF BRAZIL; 3 PARAJUBEA BEA COCOIDES, OF ECUADOR AND LIVISTONA AUSTRALIS. > A PLANTING ARBORETUM LECTURE PROGRAMS 1 TO THE SUNDAY AND DAILY TOURS OF THE ARBORETUM, THERE HAS ALWAYS oo ILLUSTRATED LECTURES, TITLED "THE ARBORETUM STORY". THESE G. H. SPALDING L, B. MARTIN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SUCH LECTURES PRESENTED WAS ------- — 44 THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS ARE OF THE TYPE MOST FREQUENTLY REQUESTING THESE LECTURES: SERVICE CLUBS FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS CHURCHES GARDEN CLUBS WOMENS CLUBS YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS AND THESE WERE THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TOWNS MOST FREQUENTLY VISITED: ARCADIA AZUSA DUARTE EL SERENA GLENDALE LOS ANGELES MONROVIA NORTHRIDGE PASAD SAN MARINO SOUTH LAGUNA STAFF ARTICLES ARBORETUM PUBLICITY IN LINE WITH THE POLICY OF THE ARBORETUM TO REPORT TO THE PUBLIC THE RESULTS OF PLANT INTRODUCTION AND PLANT MANAGEMENT AS OBSERVED HERE, THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES BY THE STAFF WERE PUBLISHED: BENSON, H. H. THE LASCA LAGOON L. A. COUNTY EMPLOYEES MAGAZINE, DECEMBER 1954 BUCK, W. QUINN PROGRESS OF THE DAYLILY TEST GARDEN AT LOS ANGELES STATE AND COUNTY ARBORETUM LASCA LEAVES, VOL. IV, NO. 3, 1954 MARTIN, L. B. A TURFGRASS FROM "DOWN UNDER" LASCA LEAVES, VOL. V, NO. 1, 1955 MARTIN, L. B. DEW RESEARCH AT THE ARBORETUM LASCA LEAVES, VOL. V, NO. 2, 1955 MARTIN, L. B, & SRE STIPOIDES (R,BR,) SEIBERT, Resale UTHERN CALIFORNIA TURFGRASS CULTURE, VOL. 5, NO. 2, Tee. 1955 NELSON, DEWEY E, LUCKY BALDWIN'S "QUEEN ANNE COTTAGE" L. A. COUNTY EMPLOYEES MAGAZINE, MARCH 1955 SEIBERT, R. J. TABEBUIA UMBELLATA LASCA LEAVES, VOL. V, NO. 1, 1955 SEIBERT, R. J. ARBORETUM MILESTONE LASCA LEAVES, VOL. V, NO. 1, 1955 SEIBERT, R. J. SOME BAMBOO FOR WESTERN GARDENS SUNSET MAGAZINE, 1954 SEIBERT, R. J. THE LOS ANGELES STATE & COUNTY ARBORETUM GOLDEN GARDENS, VOL. 19, NO. 8, JUNE-JULY 1955 SPALDING, G. H. GROWING NOTES eer LEAVES VOL. IV, NO. 3, 1954 " VOL. IV, NO. 4, 1954 v, NO. 1, 1955 v 26 THE ARBORETUM STORY' AND STAFF MEMBERS WERE GUESTS OF THESE TV AND RADIO PROGRAMS; KCOP - TV "CONGLAMORAMA" (15 MIN.) - MR. SPALDING, DR. MARTIN KRCA - NBC TV NORVELL GILLESPIE SHOW - DR. SEIBERT, SUPERVISOR FORD NBC = RADIO NORVELL GILLESPIE SHOW - DR. MARTIN KWKW - RADIO VALLEY PARTY LINE - MR. SPALDING NEWS PAPERS COMMUNITY AND METROPOLITAN NEWSPAPERS DEVOTED MANY INCHES OF SPACE, BOTH TEXT AND PICTURES, CONCERNING THE ARBORETUM OR ARBORETUM SPONSORED ACTIVITIES, IN ALL, AS INDICATED BY OUR CLIPPING SERVICE, SOME 73 DIFFERENT PAPERS CARRIED OUR NEWS. THE NUMBER AND MONTHLY DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH NEWS APPEARED AS FOLLOWS: JULY 1954 29 JANUARY 1955 78 AUGUST ' 34 FEBRUARY 3 38 SEPTEMBER ” 20 MARCH " 50 OCTOBER " 23 APRIL . 49 ,OVEMBER . 25 MAY d 56 DECEMBER , 55 JUNE " 37 TOTAL ITEMS - 494 SPECIAL FEATURE ARTICLES: DR. LOUIS B. MARTIN HAS BEEN WRITING A WEEKLY FEATURE ARTICLE FOR THE ARBOR- FTUM. THESE ARTICLES ARE PLANNED TO ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO VISIT THE ARBOR- FTUM. ALL SECTIONS OF THE ARBORETUM AND PARTICULARLY THOSE PLANTS IN FLOWER ARE BROUGHT TO THE PUBLIC'S ATTENTION. IN ADDITION, BRIEF NATURAL HISTORY LESSONS CONCERNING BOTANY, HORTICULTURE, BIRD LIFE, ’FLORA AND FAUNA OF THE LAGOON, ETC., ARE INCLUDED. SINCE THE OPENING, SUNDAY, dae 9, 1955, APPROXIMATELY 22 OF THESE ARTICLES HAVE BEEN FEATURED IN THE P SADENA STAR NEWS AND THE ARCADIA TRIBUNE. - 2) = _ "TO-DAY MOST OF US ARE BANISHED TO THE CITIES, NOT WITHOUT DELETERIOUS EFFECTS ON IMAGINATION, INSPIRATION AND CREATIVE POWER. BUT SOME STILL LIVE IN THE COUNTRY, AND SOME STILL COME OUT ON HOLIDAYS TO THE COUNTRY AND DRINK IN WITH ZEST OF A THIRSTY MAN THE DELIGHTS OF BEAUTY AND RE- TURN TO TOWN RE-INVIGORATED IN SOUL." IN PRAISE OF NATURE DR. G. M. TREVELYAN, 0. M. - 26 « i