National Republican., 1875-07-24
PLEA FOR THE GRASS.
A Crying Evil Pointed 0ut-Gan it be RENE
diedi ....-r.

JULY q, 1875.
TO the Editor Of the National Republican:
SIR: "AIl flesh is grass" saith the Scripture,
but, say j, sail grass in Washington Is not In o
healthy condition of flesh nor color, as witness
the melancholy spectacle presented BY most of
the street parks, terraces and lawns which re-
Gently sprsng into existence under the much
vsunted comprehensive system" Of improve
ments. Literally, they are like sheep without q
shepherd-no pun intended on our whilom
"Boss."
Ifthe present treatment of some of these ought
to-be eyerelieving and refreshing green par
terres which line our streets continues during the
summer, many Of them will be as bald of vegeta-
tion as the alkaline plains Of the West or the
sprinkle these sur. .parched and drouth- su iering
patches of famishing verdure In front Of their
premises with showers Of refreshing Potomac
arteries throughout the ciry7 There is some ex-
cuse for tenants who, paying heavy rents, have
not the means, and cannot be e1peeted 70 pro-
nor to give much attention 70 caring for and
beautifying premises in which they may be only
tssP ToId SSSH sprpts the lawns and ter.
races near them II furnished BY their landlords
with the necessary apparatus for 30 doing. Land
accordingly, Unaccountabie as It may seem,
however, there are some people who reside in
their own houses who are too indolent and blind
needed means Of preserving the beautiful green
bordering Of our spacious streets and magnificent
Then, again, look at the condition Of the terrac-
ing in front OF some CT our churches: Take, for
instance, the yellow, sun-parched badness Of the
Congregational. on the corner OF Tenth and y
streets, or the Unitarian, on the corner OF sixth
The waters Of life may be dispensed oopIOusly
bath, but 1t would argue better for the good
taste, and sense Of the eternal fitness Of things
possessed by their congregations, If they would
On s sns intervening ssc9if5 S.Stsw as % PasSm.e
water to the sun-sick skeletons Of the dying ver-
dure whose bilious blades appeal SO beseechingly
to the slumbering aesthetic natures Of those con-
But the subject possesses another aud, If posi-
BILE, more practically important interest In It's
soions and sapient Escuiapians. Of the Board Of
Health DO not realize It's Importance suthclently
20 intervene in behalf Of the preservation Of these
city. Every scientist knows that vegetation Is
Gods great strainer through and by which the
atmosphere is cleansed Of much Of the foul ema.
nation arising from the streets and alleys Of
cities. The carbon Of the woody portion sf trees
and plants Is drawn, not so much from the soil
as from the carbonic scid gas In the atmosphere
leaves or lungs Of plants, thus eliminating 1t
from the atmosphere, and contributing 70 It's 1T
ness for respiration, while, a. the same time,
they exhale oxygen, and thus, In turn, replenish
the deficiency ofoxygen in the atmosphere co.
casioned BY the respiration Of all warm-blooded
In this point Of view, It would Be lsgitimstsly
within the province Of the Board Of Health 20 70.
quire that the grass plots OF the city, for which
the people have been taxed 30 heavily, should be
preserved In full verdure, not only for their as
thetic, but for their sanitary effect.
Gentlemen Of the Board Of Health, please do
nSs y9r oSs. sas OS0
devote 70 the neglected and perishing grass Q
modicum Of your Augean efforts. GREESY.