National Republican., 1875-12-02
PARKS AND TREES.
Annual Report ofthe Parking commi.-

The annual report Of the Parking Commission
has been submitted to Engineer Hoxie, in which
report IL is stated that during the year ending
October 81, 5,3S3 trees have been planted on the
streets and avenues of this city; 30 large
decayed trees have been taken out and debris
removed, and IS trees have been removed from
positions and transplanted 20 new grades. The
trees In the reserve nursery grounds number over
100000, In various stages OF development, several
thousand being available for Immediate planting
on streets, and all Of them rapidly attaining
sufficient size for that purpose. The spring.
planted trees were greatly retarded In their
growth on account of the p.Otracted dry weather
that prevailed during the early portion OF sum
mer, but, by constant attention TO watering and
mulchiqg. very few losses occurred, ana the rains
that prevailed encouraged a growth which has
been notably luxurlant In all other trees, as well
as in those of the --latest planting. The removal
of decayed trees, together with the pruning, box
ing and securing of the many thousands that
have been set out for the past three years. occupies
and absorbs a large portion Of the labor and
means appropriated for the commission. These
duties however, are indispensably necessary,
period OF their existence can city trees be LEFT
utterly neglected if the best results are to be
realized.
runaway horses, during the past year, have been
unusually great. Accidents of this kind are par
ttculrly 0gErlEatinG from inc hQOWleuge Iu1J
it is frequently the result Of gross earelessness
1t is to be presumed that no one who has due
regard for the public veal would endanger life
(either animal or vegetable) by trusting even the
most amiablc qundruped In crowded city wholly
unprotected, and yet from such careless acts acci
dents are of frequent occurrence. The want Of
facilities for securing horses undoubtedly tends
to Increase the number of these accidents, and II
may not be out of place to repeat a suggestion
ne fe for this rRese Wopd
not be conspicuous would not interfere with the
rights of pedestrians, nor in any way be o6iee-
tionable, while they would greatly eonduee to
public convenience and safety.
DRAINAGE.
notwithstanding all the care that may have
been exercised in the selection of trees in the
moval of poor soil and its replacement by ample
supply of suitable material for plGntgrowth in
a fundamental evil that will constantly retard
healthy growth, and which is not in the power of
this commission to remedy; that is, the drainage
of the soil in which the trees are planted 1t does
not seem to be generally understood that city
may be very perfect, and yet be imperfectly
drained Although it is n popular impression
that sewerage and drainage are almost ofsynOny-
nous meaning, yet they arc more nearly the an
tipodes of each other. A sewer is n close joint
eemented channel for conveying water or sewage
from one point to another, whereas n drain is an
open-oinfed series Of short tubes or pipes capable
OF freceiying the surplus pereOlations from rains,
or from surface irrigations.
Trec-holes excavated in a clay, sub-soiI without
drainage are simply receptacles for the retention
the trees thus placed may appear to flourish for
year or two, while the roots are confined to the
drier surface, yet they will suffer when the roots
reach strata subject to constant saturation
during winter, when vegetation is least active.
Some of the earlier planted trees already indicate
diminished yigor from this cause. This city pre-
TEN; the park space between the building line and
sidewalk could readily be made available IOr this
PURPOSE A common tile drain laid about three
feet in depth run in the center of this space
parallel with the street would not only benefit
vegetation, but what is OF vastly more import
ance. benefit the health of the inhabitants.
SURFACE DRAINAGE AND SURFACE vENTILA-
are the primary conditions towards n althy city,
all others are secondary to these, With perfect
system of surface drainage secured, THIS city
might Ts and mann paaS than sny oher ii C s
continent. In the disposition and position OF trees
it cannot be excelled anywhere. When trees are
so close to dwclling-hOuses as TO Overshadow them
for greater portion of the day, that the direct
rays of the sun cannot reach the building, they
become an evil, and ofttimes very serious enc
rendering dwellings unhealthy, while the cause
of injury Is not recognized. The narrowing OF
the streets and consequent projection Of the side
walk to great distance fromthe buildings, is eer
tainly one Of the most valuable incidentals Of
cent improvements, This arrangements secures
all the most valuable sanitary effects of trees in
cities and affords shady promenades without an
excess of shade on dwellings.
The constant evaporation from the foliage Of
trees has decided cooling effect upon the imne-
dlate surrounding space, tnus lnpartng oatmy
influence to an atmosphere rendered arid By con-
tact with heated surfaces of stones and brick, and
independent Of these sanitary effects heir decora-
tive beauty isnowhere so conspicuous impressive
as when cUntrssted with the hard monotonous
lines of city architecture The disposition TO re-
Ialn some OI Ino ofuer Jrcco Aaa axts1t
nterfered with the completeness Of these improve
ments; q circumstance which will always be .
source of regret, as It prevents uniformity OF fea
ture point OF first importance In lines OF trees In
cities. Washington will In the future be known
as the "city among trees" and with the alters
tion Of word We may adopt the proverblal ex-