Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-08-11
Birds. Trees. Lawns.


To the Editor of THE EVENING STAR:
For the information of the champions of the
sparrow nuisance, will say: The way to test
their virtues in the insect line is by an autopsy
after they have dined. What said years ago
on this subject was fnot guess work. The agri-
cultural branch Of the American institute. New
York made searching inquest. The verdict
was: No value as an insect antidOte, fruit de-
strOyer, and general nuisance. In the absence
of sweepers they might have some use as scav-
engers. The highest approach 1 have yet
seen to utility was contest over a grass
hopper, which they lfmbed at lively rate,
doubtless as trespasSer on their domain.
For years the elms around Lafayette square
have been devastated, many of them now almost
denuded, by small caterpillar (about one-third
of al inch long,; dainty bit for hungry bird
All over the city may be seen evidences of these
depredators. Why is this So if the sparrows are
lnsecfiyerOus! The best antidote is vigorous
growth. Forest trees are taken from natural
conditions, and no effort is made to supply those
conditions. On the contrary, we do our best to
curtail them. And yet we wonder at our
failures. We deny to the earth light air. rain the
natural debris, and give no artificial food Besides
the close pavements cause fermentation, scalding
of roots, and the generation of malarious gases.
Many will remember that there was a regular
blow up from this cause at the junction of 7th
street and the avenue shortly after the asphalt
heat and scalds the trees Last year on II, be-
tween 18th and 18th streets, the trees leaved
three times. The effect is worse on streets east
and west, because the breeze is less. There be-
ing no chance for evaporation to moisten and
cool the air. and no circulation as on the streets
north and south. the effect will be worse. Nor
is this all. have been almost profanely indig-
nant at the vandalism of the men emplOyed in
excavation. When the drain-pipe 1O inches)
was laid inside Lafayette square the roots of
those large elms inside the fence were mutilated
shamefully; in fact. without any necessity the
large roots were cut off whenever they inter-
fered. The cut was eight or ten feet deep, and,
as l have said. no necessity for mutilatiOn ex-
listed.
In the management of lawns and irrigation
there Is the same Woful want OF common sense
and economy.
l. There isiwater enough wasted to maintain
parks and laEns in vigorous growth all the sea-
son. Most OF this water. especially in foun-
tains and paolic buildings, could be applied
after their Mesent use.
g. Irrigation, unless properly done. Thorough
wetting when needed, is damage.
g. Cutting lawns closely during dry weather
without thorough irrigation beforehand thus
exposing the ground to the sun. (the shade pro-
tects and the grass condenses moisture,) is q
damage.
4. Gutting,closely late in the season is a great
mistake. The after math is necessary to pro-
tect the heavier the better-from winter
freezing.
agree with the late criticism on the abomi-
nable boxes box can be made that win not
be an eyesofe and will last twenty -ive years.
1t may be ofswOod or iron, and the cost will be
less than half the present bungles. Then they
should be removed entirely. But meantime
ornamental hitching-posts should be erected at
suitable intervals, and no horse should be
allowed to stand unhitcned. tree of twenty
five years growth may be ruined in a few mo-
ments.
Having presented these matters in detail to
the commissioners. now submit them to the
public. who ought to oe interested in beautify-
ing and preserving the beauties of the city.
J. B. WOLFF.