Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-03
PUBLIC GROUNDS.
Work Done Upon Thsm During the
Last Month.
col. WILSON'S REPORT

Includes Also the Work Done Upon the
Public Buildings That Are Also Under His
Care-The washington Monument and the
Visitors Who Wont to the Top.
Col J. II. Wilson, corps Of engineers, has
made . report TO Gen. Casey, chief Of engineers,
in regard TO the operations on public buildings
and grounds in the District of Columb ia dur
| ing the month Of May.
GROUNDS SOUTH OF THE EXECUTIVE MANSION.
The lawns Of theellipse and adjacent sections
| Of this park have been twice mown during the
| month; all roads and paths have been raked
and rolled, cutters and drain traps cleaned,
dead wood cut from trees and shrubs and park
maintained in excellent condition.
WASHINGTON MONUMENT AND GROUNDS.
| All roads and paths we're maintained IN good
order cutters and drain traps cleaned, grass
mown on rome portions Of the lawns and seven
flower beds planted with ornamental plants,
The monument was maintained in good order
the boilers wore cleaned, all machinery care.
| fully overhauled and at the close Of tho month
| everything was in complete order. Twelve
thousand nine hundred and fifteen persons
visited the top Of the monument during the
month, making total Of 7ss .oss since October
| o, 1888.
By the act Of Congress approved Ausus.
so, 1880, the officer in charge Of public build
| fngs and grounds was authorized to set aside q
portion OF the monument grounds for q chill
dren's playground under regulations to
be prescribed by him The southern section Of
pose, but no regulations prescribed, as there
| were no means Of carrying them out, no
Waterman or policeman having been au-
thorized, and the services Of the ono Waterman
| ct the monument being needed there to pro-
| tect the structure from vandals.
Just complaints have been received that
| trees are being injured and that the children's
playground is overrun by improper persons.
| The matter will be brought before Congress ct
its next session In the hope that II 1t 10 desired
| to turn over portion Of the parks a. play
grounds q sufficient force Will be authorized to
protect the children from the class Of pers ons
mentioned by Mr.. Graves.
oREzN HOUSES AND NURSERY
The propagation of different varieties Of sub
tropical and bedding plants for summer and
fall planting in the public grounds has been
continued particular attention being given to
chrysanthemums for sutumn bloom. About
100000 bedding plants we're sent from the
green houses for use in the parks.
The nursery grounds have been maintained in
| good condition; lawns were mown. roads and
| paths raked, cutters and traps cleaned and
eral varieties wore set out for summer bloom,
| and N, 900 bulbs brought in from the parks
| were planted to properly ripen them for the
! next season; twelve large flower beds IN front
| of the nurseries we're filled with bedding plants
large amount Of shelving used for bedding
| stored for next season.
| RESERVATIONS NORTH OF PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE
AND WEST OF CAPITOL.
Much attention has been devoted to this sec
ton Of the city, which contains q number OF
| the largest and handsomest improved parks
lawns have been sodded where necessary, roads
and paths repaired, raked and rolled, cutters
and drain traps cleaned. One hundred and
nine flower beds have been Planted in Lafayette,
Franklin. Washington, Farrasut, Dupont, Iowa,
Mount Vernon and Judiciary Parks and in a
number of smaller improved reservations
In Lafayette Square the foundation originally
intended for the Lafayette statue was covered
with group Of large tropical plants, making .
most graceful addition to this beautiful park
All the vases throughout the various reserva-
lions were filed with handsome plants All
fountains have been put in good order, wnter
has been turned on. and In several instances
water lilies have been planted and gold fab
placed in the basins. Minor repairs have been
| made where necessary to water and drsin pipes.
SMITHSONIAN, HENRY AND ssAToS PARKS.
These large and highly improved parks,
covering an area Of about ninety-two acres and
traversed by . number Of asphalt and gravel
roads and paths, have been maintained In excel
lent condition during the month.
Lawns have been mown. gravel roads and
paths repaired, raked and rolled; asphalt roads
and paths swept, cutters and drain traps
cleaned, few dead trees and shrubs removed
and two large flower beds prepared for plant
ing with decorative plants.
N is greatly regretted that the limited amount
Of funds available this season will not admit Of
extensive additions to the asphalt roads and
paths.
RESERVATIONS EAST AND SOUTH OF CAPITOL.
This section of the city includes within Its
limits the highly improved reservations known
as Folger, Stanton, Marion, Lincoln and Garfield
parks, the latter covering an area Of twenty
four acres.
The lawns have been mown, roads and paths
| raked, repaired and rolled, cutters and drain
traps cleaned and dead trees and shrubs re-
moved where necessary. Thirtytwo flower
beds have been planted with begonias, bineas.
different varieties OF coleus, cannas. salvias,
&c, and the vase in Marion Square filled with
| handsome plants
All fountains have been put In good order
| and the water turned on.
Minor repairs have been made where nsces-
| sary to water pipes and drains.
sKrTEEs. TOOLS, FENCES, ETC.
The repair and painting Of park settees ha,
been continued.
The blacksmith has been engaged repairing
tools, moving machines, &c.
WATER PIPES, FIRE PLUGS, Ere.
Numerous repairs have been made to the
water pipes and fountains thoroughout the
reservations and stoppages removed from
various sewers; in some cases the drains were
found to have been completely closed by masses
OF the fbrous roots Of trees. At Franklin
Park q section Of an old wooden drain was re-
moved and replaced with 12-inch terra Gotta
| sewer pipe. At the propagating gardens addi-
tional water pipes were placed in position.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, GREEN HOUSES AND
GROUNDS.
Minor repairs have been made to the man
sion where necessary.
The floor Of the main bath room. second
story, north front, which was concerted and
tiled about two years since, showed evidence of
gradual settling to an extent that appeared
dangerous. An iron beam was placed in
position, the floor in the middle slightly raised
by the use Of Jack Screws and the trouble over
| come; the beam was boxed in, painted and a
border of neat paper placed around it. Itrests
in the side walls Immediately under the ceiling
Of the small reception room on the west side Of