Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-11-14

bered that the cost OF improving streets is now
charged upon no other property than that street
railroad companies running along them. The
main costs are ROW paid from the general fund On
appropriation by Congress Respectfully,
A. G. RIDDLE, Attorney, d. G.
TO the Q. S. Commissioners, ID. G.
The Shade Trees Of Washi ngtOn.
REPORT OF THE PARKING COMMISSION.
The parking commission have sent In their
report to the engineer commissioner for the year
ending June &c. 1881. 1t states that 2l39 trees have
been added to the number On the Streets and $50
repianted The latter have been used to fill vacan-
c1eS caused by storms, accidents by runaway
horses, W1iful destruction, and cold weather
1850 large size tree boxes have been procured and
1. 800 Of the second size for newly planted trees
$4,000 stakes have been used for supporting the
boxes, $500 pounds or material for strapping, and
1876 kegs OF nails in repairing and renewing boxes.
One hundred and ffty-fve old aecayed and use
less trees have been removed, and 2,075 holes
made for planting The annual expenditure
necessary for the ordinary care OF the 900 trees
small amour OF the annual appropriation allotted
the commission, is available for the extention OF
tree planting.
PROTECTION OF THE GROWING TREES.
The maintenance OF the boxes for protection OF
the trees constitutes large item OF expenditure
Over 80 600 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 1mpracticabe to preserve the trees
they had to be again protected 1t Is cOntem-
plated to substitute cheap guard, Which will
protect the main stem OF the tree from the gnaw-
Ing OF horses and from the chOpplng with hatch
cts and peeling with knives In the hands OF those
Who find malicious amusement in destroy
Ing public property, which, 50 far as regards
the shade trees, they seem TO be able
to do without let or hindrance. II a suit
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 q greater distance from the building line
many trees, formerly On the curb line, now In
cluded in the parking, and In some instances are
struct1onS In the public thoroughfare: but whether
in the parking or 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 I'M
healthy Influences, which are ia 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
urals growth is not disturbed by manipulations;
strong enough to support the plant for the first
two or three years Of its growth; but after it
ceases ceases to afford support, it IS OF no further
dations, as above stated. With view to lessen the
chances OF injury from gales, recourse is had to
thus allowing the wind to pass through the
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
no reiSedy has been found SO efficient a. that COW
ering them with coating OF common lime
w1s6 for Ha9 9e Of have ssa
and II the operation was confined tn few trees
the remedies would be found efficient, but when
becomes altogether beyond the appropriations
available for this purpose; therefore the only
Oe he m
the branches, and this is accomplished SO far as
means Will allow, but it sonly partially performed
on account OF the amount OF labor required.
Leakage from gas pipes is another evil which
destroys many trees; this cannot be foreseen even
II it could be prevented
WASHINGTON THE BEST SHADED CITY IN THE COUNTRY.
notwithstanding all these drawbacks, there is
no city on this continent so well furnished with
healthy shade trees and as to cost OF planting and
care we may safely challenge comparison from a
by VIM. r. Smith, John Saul and VIM Saunders
The Running Races Next Week.
The first installment OF the Jerome Park racers,
entered for the sextra day" races at the National
Fair grounds next week, arrived at the fair
grounds yesterday. Others are expected today
The following is summary OF the program OF the
meeting as revised:
Tuesday, November 15.-First race, mile dash,
for all ages that have not won since October LIST,
1881. Second race-Washington stakes for 3-yearS
old. Closed with II nominations Third race
Selling race, ~ miles. Fourth race-two mile
heats for all ages
wednesday, November l6-F1rst race-Selling
race, TX miles, for all ages Second race-Lafay-
cite stakes, for 2years Old, mile. Third race
Mile heats for all ages. Fourth Handicap
Steeple chase
Thursday, November lz-First race-Dash = OF
mile. for all ages welter weights Second race
Closed with 16 nominations Third race-Consola- |
ton purse, mile heats Fourth race-Climax
stoeple chase, weiter weights
Friday, November 1a-First race-eelling RAGS,
for and 6yeaf1 old. = Of q mile. Second raCe-
selling race. mia tor an aQ01 Third fa00--Rraa 1