The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-25
A SPLENDID POST.

General Schofield has declared that our
military reservation, known as the Presi-
dio "a Spanish word, meaning fortified
place, from the Latin presidium, whence
we get president" and it's allied words),
is not only the most attractive military
post in the country, but that when the
improvements now under way are CON-
pleted it will be also the best fortified.
While these are evident facts, he some
what surprises with his assertion that
Fort Winfield Scott is by no means worth
less, and that its antique guns could do
efficient work at close range. AS it seems
very likely that single shell from a great
modern gun nine miles at sea could wreck
the ancient brick pile, the close-range
efficiency of the forts pot-metal armament
would have but meager chance for its
display.
However, that is a trifiing matter. The
interest which the Government has re-
Gently taken in strengthening the defenses
of the post is more important. The dyna-
mite battery is rapidly getting into shape
on the high bluff facing Bakers Beach,
and between it and the fort two mammoth
rifles are being mounted. These are the
armament, which throughout is to be OF
the latest and best design. While these
improvements are going on, two handsome
brick barracks are being constructed, a
railroad and a steam excavator are being
employed in making firm ground out OF
the marshes, the planting of trees is being
extended all over the reservation, and the
roads are being overhauled. The abolition
of the San Diego garrison and its trans
ference to the Preside will add another
incentive to developments and improve
ments.
One of the most interesting features OF
the Presidio is the beauty of the flower
gardens. The residence of every officer is
a bower of gorgeous blooms, and they pre-
sent refreshing contrast to the desolate
aspect of the City gardens. Whether this
display of superior taste and pride is due
to the fact that the officers wives are East
ern women and know how to appreciate
the extraordinary advantages of the eli
mate, it would he unnecessary to consider
but the fact remains that if one wants to
see beautiful private gardens in San Fran.
cisco one must visit the Preside.
It is difficult to understand why the
authorities of the post plant even forests OF
evergreen trees-eucalyptus pine and
cypress-in preference to deciduous trees,
and why they go SO extensively into the
planting of the acacia which is the most
prolific of insect-breeders. The peculiarities
of the local climate make the planting OF
deciduous ornamental trees advisable.
Besides being one of the handsomest spots
in the City the Preside has certain advan.
tages which have special military value.
The climate is of kind to insure the per-
feet health of the garrison, and the near
ness to great city gives the post numerous
manifest advantages. The CONFORMATION
of the coast permits of SO few points at
which even landing may be effected that
this port must always be the one to be most
carefully guarded. 1t is the only one that
gives access to the great interior basin OF
the State, where future development on a
grand scale is to proceed. The many rich
and peculiar natural resources of California
give it special value to the whole Nation
and call for special measures for their pro-