The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-08-20

smooth walk across the brook. The
boughs are woven, or rather pulled to
gether and nailed to other rustic woods for
the purpose OF a railing, and so cleverly is
this done that it all has a really natural
appearance. There are cracks ana knots,
tears in the bark, and here and there
stem showing marks of hatcbets or saws.
But not bit of wood is used in the whole
construction. which consists of a frame
work OF old iron gas pipes and wires COW
cred with concrete and cement. On one
side the railing is in imitation of the sturdy
black oak, while opposite is a marvellous
fence OF oak and elm.
The man who designed and finished the
work has shown himself to be an artist OF
considerable ability in presenting nature
in sculpture. He was discovered by Su-
perintendent McLaren in a Belgian gar
dener employed in the park, ana il Is
likely that this Is only the first exhibition
of his work. as he will be kept busy max
ing ornamental rustic fences, and houses,
probably. for some time TO come. Not
only does he initiate trees closely in form,
bringing ont every irregulaTity and char
asteristic formation of baTks, but he also
colors them so close to nature that it is
difficult 10 distinguish the plaster and
wood apart. The cOlOrs are mixed in the
cement instead of being laid on with II
brush. so they will last as long as the con-
crete itself.
Already his bridge has become an inter-
estiDg point for people who climb the hill
for view OF the surrounding country and
glimpse at the mountain stream and tor
rent. 1t is a favorite spot from which TO
watch the lake and its crowded banks.
Another novel feature of the park Is the
squiTrel-house Immediately east of the
aviary. This building covers a mound
and several pines and eucalypti without
obtruding itself on the park scenery. as it
is merely monster wire cage among the
tall trees. Dozens of gray and other sqniT-
rels beSpOrt themselves among the branches
before amused spectators. performing
all mann er of wonderful antics and aero
batic tricks. The little folk evidently
ihlnk nothing is so entertaining as they
stand around the cage and watch these
funny animals. For hours yesterday IL
was difficult to get close view OF the
squirrels, because people crowded against
the bars and were slow in leaving. 1t was
a cause for remark that the squirrels eat
always only when drinking. They would
scamper up tree with nuts or peaches,
turn sumersaulJs while chewing industrl-
Ously, and then stare back al the many
eyes outside their cage.
In the conservatory a display OF prize
begoniss delighted thousands of visitors
who have q taste for flowers. Gardener
Cole declared that never before was such
| a good showing made in California in
begOnias. Flowers of extraordinary size
and rare beauty are masSed together on
tiers OF shelves extending around one sec
ton of the glass house. The variety of
| blossoms is astonishing to florists, as
nearly every good strain is represented in
! the collection, which has been perfected
through years of careful attention.
THE great thing to be DESIRED" said
the gardener. lis good habit. Without
habit begonia is not worth much, as you
| lose the effect OF masses of blossom and
color. We have succeeded in growing
| begonias from the old-fashinned tiny
! flower to a magnificent plant with flowers
as wide as two or three inches. After
| getting the large flowers we met another
| difficulty. The flowers were too heavy
4 for the plant and would drnop so YOU
could not see them. Then we had to
experiment with hybridizIng and other
| means to grow a plant strong enough 10
! hold the flowers up straight and sho "
them off. Here is how we have sue
| &c eded."
He pointed to the banks of wax-like
blossoms, some white and delicate in the
! extreme, some blushing daintily a mild
! pink and others af1ame with scarlet bril-
fancy. They, each and every one, were
/ turned outward as If inviting inspection.
| 1t is considered doubtful il as fine col
lection is 10 existence elsewhere. The
climate. it seems, is particularly favor
able 10 their full development.
! Quite a different effect is being reached
| In another part OF the conservatory, where
a circular pond Of stagnant water is chang
ing into a bit of fairyand with lotus
flowers and lilies. The rare Victoria
Regia water lily is coming to the surface
and spreading its giant leaves in all direc-
toes with a strangely vigorous growth.
! Though little better chan a month old il
has covered manv square feet and can
support considerable weight before sink
ing. Its sustaining power can be under
stood Whenever a leaf is npturned by the
gardener. Then will be seen an admirable
framework of strong stems. sIngularlv
like iron girders, and arrayed in geomet-
rical order as 10 engineering c0nstruc-
| tions.
A contract was made last week by the
Commissioners for grading and macadam.