National Republican., 1883-09-06

Foy had planted in his outer belts some
garden like trees, very suitable to his pur-
pose, magnolias, tree boxes, hollies, and also
some conifers, mostly thuyas, IL is believed,
but among them there was at least one cedar
of Lebanon. With them, however, or subse-
quently, more rapid growing deoiduous trees
unfortunately were also planted, and, through
neglect of thinning, the effect Of drip, and
exhaustion of the soil tho choicer sorts were
nearly all smothered, starved, or sickened.
A few crippled hollies (Iler opdcd) only re-
main. Tho violets aud poriwinkle (Nncd)
now on the ground are largely of direct
descent from those planted by Foy.
Most of the trees within the limits OF the
capitol inclosurc, before the enlargement of
the capitol in 1857, were removed to make
way for tho new building operations. The
more thrifty and manageable of them were
again transplantcdi in 1875, when the regarding
took place.
The reporter, in company with Supt. Cogan,
in passing over the rolling lawns and under
tho outrageous shade of the trees contrasted
the present appearance of the parks with that
of fifteen years ago, when they were sur
rounded by high and unsightly rail
fence. Every contrivance for beautify-
| ing parks, of both modern and an
cient design, has been brought into
requisition. A visit was paid to the localities
to and from which full grown trees were
removed in 1874, and tho trees were
notwithstanding published reports to the con-
trary. The American elms in tho east park
are particularly thrifty, and the large Eng
| lish walnut trees will attract the attention of
persons visiting the city interested in timber
culture. The other varieties which are fea-
lures of the park include beach, fine speci-
men of the willow oak, brought in from Ben
ning's bridge, row of lindens, pine
oak, quercus palustris fine
| specimen from the botanical gardens, with
leaves varying from seven to nine points in
graceful dropping branches which sweep the
ground. Supt. Cogan transplanted in the
grounds in 1874 willow oak, and notwith-
standing it was shorn of every branch at that
time and planted as a bare pole it is now one
of the most flourishing trees in the inclosure.
In the same year number of small twigs of
| plain sycamore trees were brought here from
different parts of this country and Belgium
and planted in the park. These have since
developed into beautiful shade trees twenty
five feet high. Several English naples were
| transplated in the same manner. They too
present vigorous appearance, their branches
arching gracefully from the top to the
ground.
Among the curious trees in the collection
is Judas tree, which is broad, expansive,
and hearty, and in the spring its bark is
covered with thick growth of pink flowers.
while full growth of pea like shells hang
from its branches. The oaks in the east
grounds of the white and black varieties
average two feet in diameter, and are over
trees thoy too were transplanted. Along
the edges of tho park and inter
spersed among the trees pretty effect
is formed by the magnolia, ivy, sweet brier,
and other plants growing there. About the
only diseased tree in tho park is tall linden
in the northwest section, which is suffering
from the ravages of the borer, a small insect
| w, h,trr In ha
is another linden which forms lovers re-
treat or trysting place by its peculiar forma-
tion. 1t furnishes a perfect arbor with its
surrounding connections of ivy and other
creeping vines. The Washington elm " at
tracts much attention. 1t has fifteen shoots
from the main trunk.
"This," said Supt. Cogan, pointing to
pretty howered bush, sis the pride Of the
capitol park We imported quite a number
of them from England last spring, They are
known as rose bay trees or rhododeneron,
and are designed to cluster about the new
stairways now being erected. Their flowers
are of variegated hues, principally pink,
white, red, scarlet, and crimson"
The next visit was paid to cluster of
adela rupestris, which were imported from
China. This variety is perpetual blooming
evergreens, and bears pale pink bell shaped
flowers. 1t has beea in constant bloom since
May /, and will retain its green foliage
throughout the winter.
An inspection ,tAwas made of the grotto.
This structure has been viewed with interest
ever since its first erection. The man
room is of circular form, with seats
conveniently arranged and sparkling
fountain gurgles pleasantly in the
center. On one side of the interior is an
iron-barred aperture, looking through which
most magnificent natural scene is presented,
while sounds of subterranean chime music
are borne to the ears. Several beautiful cas-
cades of water dash down through
masses of vine-clad rocks. and amidst
numerous lakelike pools at the bottom,
from which numerous vagrant feathered
songsters were slaking their thirst and bathing
in unconscious enjoyment of the fairy like
scene. The chime music above referred to
has long been mystery to passers by The
reporter solved it by descending underground,
over a series of iron ladders, to a subterranean
chamber, where he found water mil, worked
by the overflow from the basin above, and
which turned piece of mechanism similar to
the cylinder of music box. The latter, con-
stantly revolving, was caused by the water
power to emit beautiful melody upon gradu-
ated chime bells. The water which supplies
the cascades is fed through pipes leading from
distant natural springs.
The number of trees transplanted in the
east park Is estimated at l25, only per cent
of which have died.
Twenty men arc employed as guardians
and laborers in the grounds.
Superintendent Cogan was for o long time
the gardener ut Prospect. park, Brooklyn,
N. Y.
There are eight or ten varieties of the mag
nolia in the parks from all parts of the
United States, and not one fruit tree. The
former bear flowers of sweet scent and vsrie-
gated hue.
1t is not generally known that the Charles
Sumner tree, which was fostered by the gov
ernment, succumbed to the severity of the
weather during the winter of 1879 when the
temperature fell eleven degrees below zero.
Several other trees were killed during the
same winter by their sap freezing
1t is proposed to cut down the old trees
which line the main western walk, as they
seriously retard the growth Of younger and
moro handsome trees by overshadowing them,
The capitol authorities propose lining the
walk walls with Irish ivy vines, which are
sound and very hardy.
The work of constructing the marble ter
race around the building is progressing quite
rapidly. Workmen have begun on the south
side and will continue until the appropriation
is exhausted.
The total number ofvarieties oftrees, shrubs
and plants in the parks is 239, including va
rieties from all parts of the United States
Europe, Asia, and South America,
SMOKE the Longfellow Cigar. You'll like
it.
Rnge Ball.