: A periodic report from the Los Angeles State and. County Arboretum to the members of the . California Arboretum Foundation, Tne. c Arcadia, California

December, 1955

Dear Members:

The Board of Trustees has unanimously elected Dr. Frits W. Went, Professor of Plant Physiology at the California Institute of Tech- nology, as President of the Califomia Arboretum Foundation, Ine., to succeed Dr. Samuel Ayers, Jr., Whose three years in office record a period of fine progress. The Arboretum is fortunate that Doctor Went, who served as the first Pres- ident from 19.9 to 1952, is again willing to assume the presidency, and members may look forward to reading in LASCA LEAVES of his exten- sive tour of Australia this past summer, made at the request of the Australian Government, and of his consultation with the Australian botanists. (Through LASCA NEWS he sends this message of greeting:)

At the end of 1955 we can look back with satisfaction upon the accomplish- ments of the Arboretum and we can look forward toward another year of substan- tial advances. I expect that The California Arboretum Foundation can help significantly in this advance, through the active support of its mem- bership, which continues to increase.

Let us all be cheered by the prospects of The Los Angeles State & County Arboretum and the part we personally have taken in its development.

My greetings go to all of you and I hope that your support of the Arbor- etum will give you added satisfaction anid the happiness of this Christmas season.

The Foundation is pleased to report many new memberships, both local and out-of-state. One of the best ways to support the develop- ment of the Arboretum is through continued and new memberships, and if those now enjoying their own association will encourage their friends and neighbors to join the Arboretum Foundation, they will

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make it possible for the garden to grow and grow and grow! To keep membership in good standing, dues should be paid in the month in which they become due. Active memberships more than three months in arrears become inactive, necessitating discontinuance of publications until the membership is reinstated. Members will be interested to know that the Planning Commission of San Diego County recently requested inform- ation concerning the operation of the Los Angeles State and County Arboretum. Apparently San Diego County is considering establishment of an Arboretum and may follow the path developed by the California Arboretum Foundation.

The Foundation is also pleased to acknowledge receipt of several gifts from donors who prefer not to be mentioned, but because of whose generosity the Arboretum has acquired palm trees, pheasants, and valued books. Through Mr. H. H. Benson and the Pasadena Audubon Society, a bird f@eding station is nearing completion et the foot af Yaliae Knoll. thie Foundation is erateful for this thougntful use of funds and Tor volunteer work on the project so appropriate to the grounds of a bird sanctuary.

Work has begun on the new administration building and gate house. The buildings are of modern design with overhanging eaves and concrete block construction, The administration building will include a plant display entry porch, business offices, research offices, a room for library use, and a meeting room for Plant societies. The meeting room will be adjacent to a walled garden which may be made an integral part of it by opening sliding glass doors. The gate house will contain an information office with a counter for selling post cards, horticultural books and other items, electrically operated turnstiles for entrance to the Arboretum, and a tour assembly area. These buildings, contracted for $198,000 by Daniel Bros. Contractors, are expected to be completed by next summer.

Demonstration Gardens, for city lots, are being planned for the Arboretum in conjunction with a committee consisting of representatives from Sunset Magazine, the American Landscape Architects Association, the American Nurserymen's Association, the University of California at Los Angeles, and the Agricultural Extension Service. It is anticipated these gardens will be on either side of the walkway, from the gate house to the drive where visitors board the jeep trains. Four lots are contemplated, each to have an asphalt area to represent the city house, with its floor plan designated on the asphalt, so visitors can visualize the various effects achieved by the landscaping of the yard. The Demonstration Gardens will serve to introduce new plant materials developed by the Arboretum as well as to show proper methods for util- izing research results. Please realize this is a premature announce- ment, made with the thought that members may like to be in on some of the early planning stages of the project.

Mr. Donald Wooley, formerly in charge of the Botanic Gardens of UCLA in the Botany Department, has recently become chief horticulturist of the Arboretum Foundation. Mr. Wooley, early familiar with plant life as the son of a distinguished naturalist, is a recognized plants- man, member of numerous horticulture societies, and active in the Southern California Horticultural Institute.

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Edward (Ted) Pugh, Arboretum staff artist, whose fine pen and ink sketches have previously been appreciated in LASKA LEAVES, has turned his talent for the first time to LASCA NEWS in the delicate line design decorating this issue.

The Herb Garden is flourishing under the care and affection of the members of the Herb Society. fFresent plans call for the installation of an old-time dipping well with bucket and rope. In the middle of the Kitchen Garden a feature will be one walk carpeted with herbs planted specifically to be stepped on to release a fragrance, and bearing a sign inviting visitors to walk over the herbs. The Herb Society is to be congratulated for its delightful garden so faithfully tended.

A protective porch around the Hugo Reid Adobe has recently been completed. This work, and roofing in a portion of the Lucky Baldwin Carriage House, was financed by the Historical Committee of the Arbor- etum Foundation. Purposely constructed of used lumber in keeping with the old Adobe, the porch was built to protect the lower portions of the Adobe walls from rain erosion, and from the way the rainy season is starting the foresight of the Committee is to be highly commended. Los Angeles County Supervisor John Anson Ford will this month interview Mrs. John R. Mage, co-chairman of the Historical Committee, concerning its outstanding accomplishments in connection with the Historical sec- tion of the Arboretum. The interview will be tape-recorded for later broadcasting. The Queen Anne Cottage, which continues to be a source of delight and great interest to visitors, will carry a wreath of Christmas welcome on its door. In added Christmas spirit, one of the clumps of Phoenix reclinata given to the Arboretum this fall will be illuminated and above the palms will shine a Star of Bethlehem.

Since the opening date of Sunday, January 9 of this year, through November 27, the Arboretum tour has been taken by hs,5 QO visitors. From April through November 27, there have been 2651 children on hand, eager for the captivating jeep ride. In behalf of educating the children, plans have been made to give a short six-meeting course in nature study to a Girl Scout Troop. This troop will serve as a pilot group for experience in presenting nature study courses to Girl Scouts and similar groups. It is expected more serious botany courses will develop from such nature study. Tour hours for the public remain at 10:30 A.M. to lL:00 P.M. each Sunday, and large numbers are expected to come to enjoy the beauty of the gardens through the holiday season.

The Board of Trustees and Staff of the Arboretum Foundation extend to all members and friends warm Christmas greetings and an invitation to visit and participate in the activities of the Arboretum in the New 2oar.

KNOW YOUR ARBORETUM AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS