Avenue of Palms

Avenue of Palms
Palms

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Early Static Electricity Experiments

From Electrical Experimenter
Did we try this at home?

The Home Electrical at the PPIE

From the General Electric Review
"The construction of this complete house within the Manufacturer's Palace is an engineering novelty which has added materially to the attractiveness of this special exhibit. The home is a California mission bungalow in design built of gray stucco roofed with red tile in the picturesque Spanish
fashion and with a long columned portico along two sides. There is also a small enclosed patio or garden in the rear. The interior arrangement provides for a large and comfortable living room, an attractive dining room with a breakfast alcove, a bedroom with a nursery and a bathroom adjoining, a sewing room, a kitchen with auxiliary refrigeration room, and laundry. In connection with the house there are also an electric garage, a workshop, and a small creamery. Every room is completely furnished and attractively decorated all in excellent taste and yet entirely within the means of an average family.

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Why Palms?

from The Palm Tree,
one of many colorful and somewhat fanciful palm pictures

One question that is often asked at our palm tree talks is: why palm trees? There are many answers - some practical and some romantic.

I found a little book from 1863 that had some very romantic pictures of palms and this one matched somewhat the South Gardens at the PPIE. Coincidence? Perhaps? But if you compare it to the picture below, you might wonder if one of the architects had this book on his or her desk.




Thursday, May 21, 2015

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

C.C. Morse, the "Largest wholesale seedman and seed growers on Pacific Coast"

C.C. Morse had a named spot in the Horticulture gardens.

From the Official Catalogue of Exhibits: "Morse, C. C. & Co., San Francisco, Cal, Seed Growers and Dealers, 4th St., cor Av. D, Blocks 3 and 4, Horticultural Gardens. Collection of Annuals, Sweet Peas and various flowers, Roses, Dahlias, newest and best varieties; Hyacinths, Daffodils, Tulips and various Holland Bulbs. Onion Lettuce, Radish, Pumpkin, Tomato,  Corn, etc. Alfalfa, Clovers and Grasses. Largest wholesale seedman and seed growers on Pacific Coast. Seeds by mail — catalog free. Morse's seeds on sale by all leading dealers west of Kansas. Morse's seeds are all tested. Morse's seeds noted for quality. Retail Store, 125 Market St., San Francisco." 

References


Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Cuban Plants on the Move, Mycrocycus 1000 years old?

From Botanical Gazette, August, 1907
Under the great dome the visitor finds a tropical garden the exhibit of Cuba. Growing herein is an elaborate and representative collection of trees and other plant forms which made fourteen carloads when brought from tropical Cuba. There is mycrocycus 1000 years old, royal palms, giant tree ferns, tropical lilies, bamboo, palms, bread fruit, banana trees, mangoes, guanabano, cocoanut trees, and date palms in actual bearing and the finest specimens of crotons ever shown in this country.

What is a Mycrocycus?