The more I think of it the more clear it is to me that there should be nothing on the shores of the Lagoon of the nature of a curiosity or exhibition. I can’t write much but you shd by this time be writing something to prevent the idea of a tropical aquatic exhibit getting fixed in the minds either of Burnham or of the Horticultural or Gardening Directors and you can say that I am strong upon the point. I wanted to define some principle that would apply generally & that Burnham would see to be sound. But though there is one, I am not quite up to stating it better than as above. So far as strange exotic or unindigenous plants can be used without being noticed by ordinary intelligent observers to be such, for augmenting, enlivening or enriching the effects of what ought {to} be native bodies of foliage (seen from some distance and behind screens—partial screens and intrications of bull rushes &c)—admissible. All in the way of legitimate art for the occasion. So everything modest & veiled and blending at suitable distance & in suitable shadows. But—Victoria Regia—not to be thought of.

There are several willows here in nursery that will be desirable for variety & liveliness—that can be propagated by thousands. I have asked Beadle to send samples to Manning.

Among plants to be used that I don’t remember that we have spoken of lately are Bacharis h. & the Nicotiana that we had on our place last year. As to the last, see Garden & Forest, no 188, (last week) page 464. I meant to mention others but cannot recall the names just now.

There is here a Salix Longifolia which Beadle thinks differs with advantage from S pentandra & lucida—which shd be propagated largely if so.

It is likely that I may need a day or two more than in writing Jno, I reckoned before meeting him in Washington—as a consequence of this little sunstroke.

Returning from a professional journey, I have just received your favor of the 14th October.

I have not visited San Diego, but have several times been in the southern parts of California, and have had a residence of three years in the State and have given the subject of the suitable designing of pleasure grounds in it much thought. I cannot say that I have reached an entirely satisfactory conclusion, but of this I am satisfied: that most that has been done in that respect throughout the State is unsuitable and will eventually be discarded, and that all ideals derived from good practice in the Atlantic States and the North of [399]Europe must be abandoned. In such an extensive and important work as that you contemplate at San Diego, originality of treatment suitably to the special local conditions would be necessary at every point. We feel that such a work would require, for a long time, the close and absorbing attention of the designer, and we regret to be obliged to say that, with our present engagements east of the Rocky Mountains, we do not feel that we could undertake to give the problem such attention, at least for some time to come.

Respectfully Yours,