The morning call., 1893-08-21
in GREEN PLACES.
Crowds on a Sunny Sum
day in the Park.
VICTORY OF THE GARDENER.
How the Day Was Enjoyed by a
Multitude of ViSitorS-SOme
Wonderful Blossoms.

The Golden Gate Park band received ap-
plause for some of it's musical efforts
yesterday. and played encores to please
the multitude. II was poticea BILE that the
applause was warmest for some popular
melody or tuneful selection that pleases
the public ear, while pretentious compost
tions fell fiat. ANY how, the band held
crowd larger than many previous one.
and it became painfully evident to num-
bers of music-lovers that the present ac-
commodations are insufficient.
Large numbers of visitors strolled away
from concert valley and spread out over
the park as far west as Strawberry Hill
and the lake. The children's quarter was
crowded with young and old people, and
the green lawns and slopes were eagerly
sought by those who liked to stretch at
full length and bask in the sunshine.
Altogether, there was very large Sunday
crowd yesterday in Golden Gate Park.
After the powerful summer winds there
is little left OF delicate flowers now in the
park, but yet much may be seen of rare
and wonderful flora by anybody who takes
the trouble 10 search for natures gifts out
there. The conservatory has marvellous
display, one which in all probability can
not De eXcelled In the greenhouses in any
part Of the temperate zone. Recently
curator from Kew Gardens in London Wis
tied the park. He was astonished at the
collection of richly colored and delicately
tinted caladlums on view, and at once de-
clared il the best he had ever Seen. This
rem arkable foliage is now beginning to
show signs of decline. but in another part
of the house is a show of blossoms that
far eXcels the best attempt ever made by
the park gardeners heretofore. They are
the hegonaS that line the western wall
with mass of dazzling and blazing colors.
Gardener Cole is very proud of them aud
takes delight i'll pointing to an unique
strain from bybridiZing in his propagatlng
houses.
This white begonia," said he, sis a
marvel. There is nothing like il in the
world, and we have here splendid
healthy strain Of them"
The new variety, or hybrid. has flower
reaching as far as eight inches across. 1t
is pure, glowing white with transparent
veins and fringe all around the petals.
No other begonia is fringed. and none look
so white as this, which is still without
name and unknown TO florists.
Last week q man who appreciated it."
said Mr.. Cole, took a flower or two away,
probably to hybridize. He would be liable
to take the plant some day, and so | re-
moved the best one. 1t Is necessary to
keep them separate when any particular
variety is desired. for If left together they
will get mixed by wind and bees carrying
tne pollen from one flower TO another
Generally begonias have three flowers on
q stem-one male in the center, the others
female.
1.-The chief ANNOYANCE here is people
breaking and handling flowers. When the
lovely goXlneas were in blossom we had
to put wire screen in front to keep people
from stealing them"
The unsightly wire is still nailed up in
front of one section of shelves. disagree
able commen;ary on fOrgetfulneSs, or per-
haps dishonesty.
The only cinehona tree known to be in
existence In this part of the world is thriv-
ing in the conservatory, and will soon be
big enough TO give bark for quinine.
What florists consider a great rarity is
the new Stanhopea orchids from Brazil
that hang from swinging baskets like sn
many birds OF waXen and gorgeous
plnmage and as large almost as sparrows.
In one room Is variety Of caadium
called alocasia but known 10 the uniui-
tiated by its enormous leaves. One great
leaf larger than an umbrella spans the
walk aud tempts many pie to stop u0-
der its spreading shade.
'NOw | can say | stood under leaf"
they Invariably exclain, as they walk off
with a look of complete satisfaction.
ately in front of the greenhouse is some of
the most perfect floral mosaics TO be found
in America.
The new water works are so nearly
fin nished that fair idea of their aspect
could be gained yesterday. The chimney.
"r smoke stack, is an ornamental tower
designed iu the Italian renaissance, and
the pumping-house is picturesque struc-
tu-e with arched windows and red-tiled
cantilever roof that might be mistn ken for
an old mission. When the new machinery
will be in working order the present
wooden buildings will be torn down and
only quaint and picturesque house will
remain.
To see the line of vehicles passing along
the lakeside, one would imagine that it
has become the correct thing to take a
drive beside the water. But where are
the boats and the boathouse? The lake
lacks something-the trees that only time
will give, the weeping willows and rank
water grasses. the gliding sklffs and more
water from the new pumps. Superintend-
ent McDaren Will put swans and other
water fowl in the lake in few days, and
is having small craft built with all po ssible
speed.
The Midwiuter Fair site is covered with
white stakes, which seem to have an onin-
Gus meaning and gave rise to endless
speculations during the day among men
who knew exactly where each building is
to stand and where the walks and foun.
tains and terraces will be built.
with the warm sunshine and the bright
flowers many child was made happy.
One little tot wandered away from the
rest and an old lady followed close be-
hind with grandmother's solicitude.
The baby was warmly clad In light blue,
and over her shoulders mass of fair halr
tumbled. The tiny face was all aglow with
pleasurable excitement as she toddled into
cluster of pink flowers and embraced
them.
''The poor flowers" she cried gleefully.
The old lady caught her up for kiss.
In was one OF the touches of nature that
may be often witnessed in the park and
make a visit doubly pleasant.