Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-11-12

REPORT OF THE PARKING COMMISSION.
The parking commission have sent in their
report to the engineer commissioner for the year
ending June go 1881 1t states that 2139 trees have
been added to the lumber on the streets and $50
replanted. The latter have been used to fill vacan-
cieS caused by storms, accidents by runaway
horses, wilful destruction, and cold weather
$3.50 large size tree boxes have been procured, and
l. sec OF the second size for newly planted trees
$500 stakes have been used for supporting the
boxes, 1850 pounds OF material for strapping and
1875 kegs OF nails in repairing and renewing boxes.
One hundred and ffty-1ve old decayed and use
less trees have been removed, and 2,075 holes
made for planting. The annual expenditure
necessary for tie ordinary care OF the 500 00 trees
m THIS city has no" become SO large that only
small amount Of the annual appropriation allotted
the commission, is available for Inc extention of
tree planting.
PROTECTION THE GROWING TREES
The maintenance OF the boxes for protection OF
the trees constitutes large item OF expenditure
Over $4,000 Of the boxes either have been renewed
or stand in need of renewal, and every year adds
| to the list An effort has been made to dispense
with the boxes In the case Of the older trees but
It was found 1mpracticable to preserve the trees
from injury after removal OF the boxes, SO that
they had to be again protected. 1t is contem-
plafsa 70 t substitute 4s r. cheap guard which will
ing of horses and from the chopping with hatch
cts and peeling with knives In the hands of those
who find malicious amusement In destroy
| Ing public property, which, so far as regards
the shade trees, they seem to be able
able guard can be adopted it Will, to that ex-
tent, diminish the expenditure for protection.
Consequent upon the Improvement which curtails
| the Width OF the streets, and removes the curb
line to greater distance frona tho building line
| many trees formerly on the curb line, now In
left in the sidewalk, where they are palpable OBJ
structons In the public thoroughfare; but whether
in the parking the sidewalk they are mostly Sit
uated SO as to be injurious to the newly planted
trees, and they should be removed at once. Street
| trees are subjected to many casualties and un-
healthy influences, which are in great degree
unavoidable.
DANGERS WHICH THREATEN THE TREES
They are particularly liable to injury from
| storms, on account of the early removal of all
branches from the lower portion Of the main stem.
This pruning Is unavoidable, In order that branches
may not interfere with the proper use of the
streets and sidewalks; but it weakens the body OF
the trees and deprives them OF the power OF resist
ing the storms, as compared with trees whose nat
ural growth Is not disturbed by man1pulat1OnS;
strong enough to support the plant for the irst
ceases to afford support, it is Of no rurther
value except as guard 20 the stem from depre-
chances OF injury from gales, recourse is had to
pruning or thinning out the tops during summer,
branches and measurably saving Them from BEING
uprooted by storms.
INSECT ENEMIES OF FOLIAGE
Again, insects are more prevalent and more in
furious On city trees than on those situated in
more exposed locations. The shelter and warmth
Of the city favOrs their increase, and although
various remedies have been tried, looking to their
eradication, few have been of practical value To
destroy all kinds OF scale insects on the branches
remedy has been found SO efficient as that
sn for se Of have Hss
| the remedies would be found efficient, but when
multiplied by thousands 1t is found that the cost
TINS on
practical mode is that OF removing the young in
sects before they have extended their webs over
the branches, and this is accomplished so far as
means will allow, but it is only partially performed
| on account Of the amount OF labor required.
destroys many trees; this cannot be foreseen, even
II 1t could be prevented
| WASHINGTON THE BEST SHADED CITY IN TIE COUNTRY.
notwithstanding all these drawbacks, there is
no city on this continent so well furnished with
healthy shade trees and to cost OF planting and
care we may safely challenge COMPARISON from
similar result with any city IN the world" Signed
The Running Races Next Week.
The flrst tnstalment OF the jerome Park racers,
entered for the extra day" races at the National
Fair grounds next week, arrived at the fair
grounds YESTERDAY. Others are expected to-day.
The following is summary Of the program Of the
meeting as revised: Il
Tuesday, November 15.-First race, mile dash,
1881 Second ORA E STAKES for syears
old. Closed with II nominations Third race |
selling yor rae &C, K miles Fourth racetwo mile
wednesday, November 16-First race-SeIling |
race, ~ miles, for all ages Second race-Lafay-
cite stakes, for 2yeafs old, mile. Third race
Mile heats for all ages. Fourth race-Handicap |
Steeple chase.
Thursday, November l7.-First race-Dash e Of |
q mile, for all ages welter weights Second race
Closed with l6 nominations Third Face-ConsOla- |
ton purse, milo heats Fourth race-Cllmax |
steeple chase, w1f6r weights
for 2 and syeas Old, < q mite. second fece