The herald., 1896-03-30
EASTLAKE PARK
One Of the Show Places Of the C;ty-Many
Rare and Beautiful Plants

One Of the Show Places Of the City-Many
Rare and Beautiful Plants
Eastlake park is just now at its best, and
Its popularity is increasing every day. In
fact there is no more pleasant spot in the
city to spend an afternoon than at this
beautiful resort, fact which is becoming
appreciated as it becomes better known,
and the electric road will soon have to run
more cars on Sunday to carry the people.
Although one OF the oldest parks in the
city. it was almost inaccessible
until the old Kuhrts street
consequence many residents of the west
side have never seen this park, which is
one of the show places of the city. Fore
man Bard takes great pride in this park,
and under his direction many improve
ments have been made. New walks and
drives have been laid out, the seating facil-
ities increased, and the flower beds and
hothouses have been put in perfect Or
der.
Among other attractions at the Eastlake
park are two of the largest rose bushes in
the state, which are just now covered with
blooms. One is Nine. Lombard, a beau-
tiful red rose, while Its neighbor is a white
Banshee. This latter is fully fifty feet in
circumference, and is literally covered
with blossoms. The bushes are situated
near the main entrance, and at once at
tract the attention of all visitors. Near
petunias, to see which alone is worth visit
to the park. Mr.. Bard also has a stretch
of lawn of which he is particularly proud,
and which is an object lesson to household
ers' designs Of improving their homes.
The propagating houses of the park de-
partment are at this park, as well as the
conservatories. where many rare and
beautiful plants can be seen. In the fern
house are specimens of rare and beautiful
ferns, many OF which can only be seen at
this place. Among others, there are
number of very fine orchids, some of the
most choice of which are now in bloom.
Many of these orchids were donated by
President Rockefeller of the Standard Oil
company, through the local agent, Mr..
Harvey, and are very rare. This curious
plant does not require soil, but grows in
moss, which is frequently dampened, and
can only be grown successfully in this
climate in hot houses, as the temperature
must be kept at a certain degree, and re-
quires great deal of moisture. Another
rarity in the fern house is a South Amer
lean melon tree. which is covered with
fruit. The fruit is almost the same as the
muskmelon, and is very palatable. An
other feature is a beautiful hanging basket
of begonias. near which are two fine speci-
mems of the kentia palm, native of the
Sandwich islands. There are also many
beautiful specimens of the fragrant and
delicate lilies of the valley, and almost
represented. One of the most interesting
of these is the Adiantum Farleyensi, the
only variety of the species that does not
bear spores, the only way by which it can be
propagated being by dividing the roots.
There are also one or two specimens of
that curious palm, the Pandannus Veitchii,
which grows like corkscrew, the long
blades being armed on three sides with
sharp saw-like teeth. Near these palms
are number of members of the Croton
family, natives of South Africa, from
which the oil of commerce of that name is
produced, while along the walls of the
greenhouse is a vanilla vine, member of
the orchid family, from which the vanilla
bean of commerce is obtained.
These are only few of the many beauti-
full plants to be seen, while outside are
beautiful Towering plants and shrubs of
every description, one of the most notable
Of which is yellow acacia, said to be the
finest in the city.
The park and Conservatives are open to
visitors at all times, and the attendants
take great pleasure in showing visitors
through them.