FROM the summit of the Contra Costa range, 850 feet above the sea level, there is afforded an extensive view of the two hundred acres comprising the grounds of the University of California, situated in the classic town of Berkeley, on the borders of San Francisco Bay.

The marine scenery, which furnishes so effective a back-ground for this panorama, is worthy of more than passing mention. Upon the western horizon, ten or twelve miles distant, is seen the celebrated Golden Gate, through which gallant ocean steamers plough their way to the boundless Pacific ; and midway in the channel lies the rocky islet upon which is stationed the staunch little fortress of Alcatraz ; flanked on the north by what is mysteriously known as Angel Island, and on the south by that which bears the less euphonious title of Goat Island.

Behind the former rises the scarred, weather-beaten peak of old Mt. Tamalpais, guarding the pretty suburban homes of Sancelito and San Rafael; and beyond the latter appear the smoke enveloped, roof crowded hills of the great metropolis, its harbor bristling with the masts of many foreign nations. White sails glancing in and out among the islands, and long flights of wandering sea gulls serve to complete the pleasing picture.

The heavy fogs and high trade winds, which sweep with more or less regularity over this region, are greatly modified before reaching the opposite shores. Especially is this true of the site under consideration ; the main college buildings occupying a terrace three hundred feet above, and three miles distant from the shore. The average temperature varies from about 300 in winter, to 650 or 700 in summer, the hottest day not exceeding 900, and the mercury seldom falling below freezing point. The annual rain-fall is estimated at about 25 inches.

Before the temples of learning stretches the wide campus, of brightest emerald from November to June or July ; the recreation-ground not only of the students, but of numerous grey-squirrels, which bound nimbly over its wide expanse, to disappear among the wealth of blazing eschscholtzias, carpeting the adjoining meadows. Dotted at intervals upon the park-like lawns are ancient live-oaks (Quercus agrifolia), which are indigenous to this locality.

The foothills are utilized in the culture of foreign timber-trees, the most promising being the Australian gums, especially the eucalyptus, a hardy, rapid grower. Beside these are the English oak (Quercus pendunculata), and several species of acacia.

Along the banks of a picturesque stream called Strawberry Creek, which marks the southern boundary of the gardens, flourish the buck-eye, the laurel or bay-tree, the sturdy madrono, the mountain lilac, the brook-willow, and the alder. Rustic bridges conduct the rambler to shady sequestered nooks, where, surrounded by trailing wild honeysuckle, blackberry vines and periwinkle, and greeted by the grateful aroma of worm-wood, sweet-ferns, and verba-buena, it is easy to imagine one's self in the heart of the country in its primal condition, though really but a few steps from this western seat of learning.

The experiment gardens, established twenty years ago, shortly after the organization of the University, contain over six hundred specimens of trees and shrubs, which remain at all seasons in the open air, with the exception of a few fragile exotics, which are, in winter, temporarily transferred to the conservatories. Among large ornamental trees are noticed the great, blossom-laden magnolia {Magnolia grandiflora), which grows luxuriantly with little or no cultivation ; the graceful, drooping, Chilian pepper-tree (Schinus molle), the rice-paper tree (Falsia papyrifera), the osier-willow, the Port Oxford cedar, Norfolk Island pine, the funeral cypress, and the strawberry-tree ; all these in that vigorous growing condition which denotes not only a favorable situation but intelligent care.

Ranks of stalwart evergreens fringe the outskirts of the grounds, forming considerable wind-breaks. Much success has been met with in the raising of coniferous trees, such as the majestic Douglas spruce, the towering sugar pine, and the yellow pine of the vicinity of Mt. Shasta, the white cedar of Oregon, the redwood, the digger-pine of Napa Valley (the nuts of which were formerly used as food by the Digger Indians), the California big-tree and the California cedar. Of these some are particularly notable for their stately beauty.

Following the windings of the broad, smooth drive-ways, many pleasing features attract the eye. The breeze rustles gently through the stiff leaves of stately dracaenas or dragon-palms, from the islands of the Pacific, while a greater tropical effect is produced by long avenues of beautiful fruit-laden fan-palms. Other members of the palm-family are seen, as the cabbage-palm of the Southern States, the Chinese fan palm (our well-known Latania Borbonica), the date-palm, and the deep green Chamoerops excelsa, borne company by the Abyssinian and Chinese bananas, the stately screw-pine and the distinct Spanish bayonet.

Tall hedges of mock-orange, laurestinus or Monterey cypress, form a rich setting for clumps of gay-colored canna, or Indian-shot, Scotch broom, hydrangea bushes and Chinese abutilon. The landscape is further diversified by beds of brilliant annuals and perennials, which are the haunt of numerous rainbow-hued humming-birds, combining the beauties of the rich flora and fauna of the country.

Choice roses, geraniums, and fuchsias here attain their highest perfection, regardless, for the most part of fog, frost, hail, rain or wind ; even raising their dainty heads boldly from the soft blanket of snow, in the light snow-storms with which this section of California has two or three times been favored. Eastern growers can scarcely realize the luxuriant beauty of their commonest dwarf bedding plants in this kindly climate, where such old friends seem to lose all their characteristics of small habit.

The so-called Garden of Economic Plants, occupying an area of nearly two acres, near the western entrance to the grounds, was set apart some twelve years since for experiments with useful trees and plants native to foreign countries. The soil is of fertile adobe, and the spot is sheltered by thick shrubbery on the windward side ; so the care and watchfulness of the horticulturist have met with gratifying returns. The enclosure is shaped somewhat like a horse-shoe, that portion which represents the outer curve being bordered with clumps of the handsome New Zealand flax the long fibrous leaves of which are sold to vineyardists for securing their vines to stakes.

Within this is planted a row of the delicate European esparto grass (Stipa tenacissima), used on the continent in the manufacture of thread, ropes, baskets, mats, etc., and to some extent in paper and carpet-making ; it is probably that this grass will show valuable characteristics here.

Among other textile plants are to be found the jute, the ramie, or Chinese grass-cloth plant, the common flax and the century plant, all of which are receiving careful attention in view of their economic possibilities. The first two especially give promise for the far western farmer.

Of the grass family, the Chinese species of bamboo from Choo Foo produces the best and longest canes. Next to this is the Himalayan species, and then come the Indian and the Los Angeles bamboos, all interesting and valuable, and all growing with great freedom and vigor, though so far from their native habitats.

The Japanese camphor (Camphora ojffcinarum) is a noble looking tree, reaching the height of twelve or fifteen feet. Mulberries prosper luxuriantly, especially Morus Japonic a, or Japanese mulberry, and Downing's everbearing.

Here the carob or St. John's bread (Ceratonia siliqua), from the distant Mediterranean, unfolds its light green leaflets in the sunshine. This tree is remarkable for resisting drought, and its large pods furnish excellent fodder for horses and cattle.

Swarms of dusty bees hover over the tall stalks of the honey-plant (Echinops sphaerocephalus)) hard by the blooming artichokes or cynaras, and sparrows hop into the shade of the pistachio-tree, the trunk of which exudes, under certain conditions, a gum from which turpentine is made.

Other economic plants are the cinnamon (Cinna-momum glaucum), the caper-bush (Capparts spinosa), the coffee-tree, the Chinese tea-plant, and the red pepper.

The air is fragrant with the odors of thyme, berg-amot, sweet marjoram, sage, balm, lavender, tansy, and other aromatic herbs, which occupy a bed, in close proximity to their medicinal cousins, the chamomile, hemlock, ginger, fox-glove, liquorice, tobacco, borage, mullein, and golden-rod.

This enclosure also contains a plot of over a hundred varieties of wild grape vines, from America, Asia, Italy, Hungary, Austria, France, and Burgundy. The summer heat is not sufficient to thoroughly ripen the fruit, but the vines are raised for experiments in grafting. As yet, the wily phylloxera has not attacked this section, although it has destroyed vines in the immediate vicinity. In connection with the Experiment Station Building is a wine-cellar, where on a small scale, wines are manufactured, and contributed samples chemically tested.

Five of the twenty-five acres, comprising the agricultural grounds, are devoted to the orchards, which contain about one hundred and fifty varieties each of apples and pears, one hundred of peaches, seventy of plums, forty of cherries, and twenty-five of apricots. A few small fruits are also raised, beside certain kinds of vegetables. Here are also to be found thirty varieties of the olive.

Two or three hundred feet of fencing are concealed by a dozen or so trained pear-trees, among which are two kinds of Bartletts, one of the Winter Nelis, and one of the Seckel. The branches of each tree extend perhaps fifteen feet on either side of the main stem.

The scale-bug has been fought, thus far, with whale-oil soap and hydrocyanic acid ; but a more valuable enemy has lately been discovered in the shape of the Australian lady-bug, which has been imported into the citrous orchards of Southern California, with eminent success.

In the generous spaces set apart for cereals, and for grasses and clovers, are found nearly 300 varieties of the former, and 70 of the other two.

In the Botanic Museum, beside a large collection of samples of cereals, are several thousand fine specimens of representative native and foreign trees and plants.

From the Agricultural Bureau, seeds and cuttings are gratuitously distributed to a limited number of applicants, for experimental purposes, the only proviso being reports as to their progress.

A visit to these grounds would amply repay not only the student of botany, but also the lover of the picturesque, and the seeker after relaxation ; though in the case of the first mentioned, one trip would be found entirely inadequate for a thorough investigation of the numerous resources the natural attractions of the place affords.

Bertha F. Herrick.