The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-05-11

the people of the whole country in carry
Ing out plans for the identifying of towns
and cities and renewing the forest growth
Of which it Is being SO rapidly denuded.
Tho Public Gardener.
Although Mr. Downing designed ex-
tensiye Improvements, 4" continued Colonel
Wilson, ''his death prevented him from
executing them. Under his direction, how
ever Lafayette square, opposite the White
House, and about which are located the
most historic group of houses in the city,
was planted with 90 different species of
trees and shrubs. The Smithsonian
grounds were partly beautifled, extensive
plans were formulated and minor i'm
provements of other parks projected which
were subsequently, partly adopted. But
the improved reservations as they exist at
present, have been mainly created under
the direction Of the chief of engineers, T.
S. A, upon whom the responsibility was
later devolved. The officers especially de-
tailed to execute the plans of improvement
have usually been earnest, able, efficient
and enthusiastic and have received great
assistance from Mr.. George III. Brown the
public gardener, whose taste, skill, intelst-
gence and untiring industry have been
freely and promptly devoted TO this beau
tiful work.
Has the work upon the parks been
steadily continued since its inception by
Mr.. Downing" was asked.
mo, it has not" Colonel Wilson an
ewered. There was a large period-from
1852, the date Of Mr.. Downing's death, to
lS67-in which no Improvements of any
importance were made, except on tho
grounds of the agricultural department,
and since the latter date the work has
been done under irregular and limited
appropriations, which prevented continu-
Gus execution of the plans"
All Free to the Public.
The largest park in the city is that in
which Washington monument stands and
known as the Washington monument
grounds II contains IS acres 1t is mostly
given to lawn, there being comparatively
but few trees. This is the common Of
the capital, a portion of it being set aside
by act of congress approved Aug. 80, 1890,
for children's playground Colonel Viii |
son is immensely proud OF the fact that
none of the old jokes respecting the sign
Keep off the grass" applies TO the territory !
under his charge When he was given SUI
pervision of the public reservations in Mr.. |
Cleveland S first administration, he began |
TO remove all the fences, chains and other /
barriers which served TO keep these pleas I
ure places from access by the people at any I
point, and with them went the signs All .
the parks and all parts of the parks are I
open 10 the public. And it is but just to .
them to say that they have vindicated tho +
wisdom of Colonel Wilson's cause in this ,
regard by demonstrating that his conf
dence in their Judgment and careful OBJ
seryance Of the proprieties was not mis-
placed.
On the borders of the monument grounds
are the United States fish commission
breeding ponds, the bureau of engraving
aid printing and the propagating gardens.
including nursery and greenhouses. In
these gardens and nursery, by the way, arc
grown most of the plants which are set out
in The flower beds in the parks, and many
Of the trees. The immense amount of this
rlaSs Of work done on the limited appro-
priations made for the purpose of adjoining
and caring for the parks is shown by the
figures for the past year Nearly 500, 600
bedding plants, covering about 500 yarie-
hes, Were propagated for spring planting
In the parks; s,132 plants, consisting OF
roses. smllax, carnations begonias, hello
rope, Seraniums and pansies. and 90 577
]
lilies, tulips narcissus and lilies of the
ralley, were planted for winter forcing and
asy spring bloom; A., 6lo bulbs were pur-
chased and planted; is, 100 cuttings of
lowering shrubs were set out in beds:
about 500 trees and shrubs Were lifted and
used in the ornamentation of the parks.
10, 600 tuberoses and :, 900 carnations wer,
set ont, and 40, 600 bulbs brought in from
parks were planted TO ripen for next season.
just north OF the monument grounds il
what was originally known officially as
'The Presidents Parade, but, since the
national encampment OF the q. A r. in
1s92, as Grand Army place, by designa-
ton OF the District commissioners This
is beautiful oval level comprising several
acres, upon which the District militia occa-
assemblies for dress parade and the
High School cadets do their regimental
drills. 1T Is the one spot in the capital left
today suitable for the proper performance
Of the evolutions OF a military troop or
other large body of men, and now il is in
danger of DETACHMENT. Within the past
few months society has taken TO semi
weekly drives on the -eilipse surrounding