The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-08-05
MARSH beauties.
Haekensaek Meadows a De-
lightful Place for Botanists
Queer Sights.

. lC lild1 II CkVSSA
Newark nave always been considered by
botanists to be a most interesting place
for the study of wild lowers. The emin-
ent Prof. Asa Gray visited the meadows
some years ago in company with a par
ty of students and they "botanized'
every yard of the old coach road past
the abattoir as far as Arlington Gene
terry, and they were delighted with the
variety off the flowers.
At this time of the year the marshes
are resplendent with beautiful flowers.
The acres OF dark green bullrushes and
reeds, with their nodding brown seed
stalks form a brilliant background for
the glowing tints of the holyhocks, the
golden rod, c~entaurias and tiger lilies
which bedeck the low lying damp
ground. A vast primeval forest m u
once have flonrished there, for above
the sluggish water thousands of stumps
may now be seen with their roots
burned down among the decaying vege-
tation which in centuries to come will
form coal measures for the benefit of
some future corporation.
A small party Of residents of this
city. composed of Messrs. Edward H.
Moore, Dallas Jones and the writer,
drove across this wonderfully interest
ing stretch of lane yesterday simply to
"see the country" and it is astonishing
how much can be seen of interest within
the limits of Hudson county.
A VERITABLE PARADISE.
Mr.. Moore. who acted as cicerone,
hastily drove past the manure heaps,
and being to the leeward, managed to
catch the full effect OF the concentrated
essences of nasty smells. Then along
the road. which runs parallel with the
water mains from Befteville, partly COW
cred with the luxuriant vegetation, across
the Erie tracks n branching off to
the north OF Arlington Cemetery, the
party assembled a steep hill, where are
located within a small area the old
These were once. it Is said, a profit
able place for the old Dutch settlers, but
they are now disused and partially hid
den with trees and heavy underground.
Wild cherry trees laden with fruit fling
their arms across the rocky winding
road among the mines. and poison ivy,
full dark green tendrils. locks IN its
camores and oak. Apple trees are
abundaat; 50; too, are 5lackbe5r9r ERR s and
| spot a verTtable paradise with the mos
quito doing duty as the serpent; Plague
take the pests, how numerous they are
By and bye. the road reaches the high
| ground where there is a cool breeze, and
the mosquito disappears. at least for a
time.
A long. straight road to Carlstadt is
| avoided by dipping to the west down
what is really a bride path. 1t descends
to the valley of the Passaic. and that
the path. A halt is made at a quaint
little hostelry, run by Herr Fuchknockles,
who makes his W wine and his own
CURIOUS AND QUEER.
His little pavilion runs out into the
muddy Passaic, near to Avondaie Bridge
water edge to examine the pellucid
stream, more than a score of mud tur-
ties and "%snappers." which had beer
the water and Owed out of sight.
| and CROSSING the FLYER, entered the little
bsina the Ss FAR s8'ifs famed d o psa : q 'n Beiis.
| Willie Freestone. which are on the out.
skirts and close to the river. Acres Of
huge blocks of the stone almost as cost.
| auarried and ready for shipment. and
surrounding the quarries are dilapidateo
levels literally swarming with Eye
The women with their hair plentifully
creased and wearing scarfs and shawls
| If every known hue. nursed babies as
| seemed to enjoy the days rest. anG
stopped their ehattering to eye the visi
| tors.
The threatening storm broke here. AND
he party sought cover in a roadside
hotel, where to Mr.. Jones' disgust tht
fstler had not a proper understandings
If the laws of meum and tuln. The
\ knave stole the sturdy little mares oats
md she had to &C hungry until Newark
was reached. This occurred at s%nnHown
where the last ston was made at Seifert'.
/ famous park where a most inviting re
past was snraad, The travellers were
hungry, and Frau Seifert's cuisine was
i as Mr.. Moore expressed 1t. 'tout Or
sight" 1t certainly did not long re,
\ main in sight.
A most excellent orchestra of charm.
'ng ladies nlaved selections from Wag
aar and other COMPOSERS after dinner
md when the rain ceased Kittie. the IN.
\ 'irine little horse. trntted across th4
meadows to JERSEY City iust as pleased
| with the drive as those in the WAGON