The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-03-15
IN THE CITY'S PARKS.
Spring Is Already Downing Her
DaintieSt Dress.
BLOOMS THAT ARE ALREADY OUT
What Is Being Done, at Small Cost,
to Bsautify kinnear aud the
City Park.

The old Indian who foretells the weather
was yesterday telling the loungers about
the Ocean dock. where his dug-out is
rnoored. that it would be a fine day today.
IL 1t should be clear and sunshiny drive
or walk into the country even within the
city limits, will be found not without its
pleasures. for already nature is giving
many indications that she is wide-awake
from her winters sleep, which is, after
ALL little mere than 3 nap compared 10
the long months of siumber her system
needs In the Eastern states. The grass Is
luxuriant, of course, for that the seasons
scarcely affect in this climate. but in the
early spring its greens are deeper yet
softer. And the pussy willows are Gut,
scattering the dark background of pines
like snowfiakes; the dropping catkins OF
the hazel dance and sway in the breeze,
and in some favored spots the Towering
currant adds glow OF inspiring color 10
the landscape.
This is notably the case at Kinnear park.
which is already looking pretty enough to
well repay a visit, TO say nothing of the
gorgeous scenery to be enjoyed from its
heights and winding walks. A couple Of
gardeners have been putting thesewalks In
order and there Is some talk OF extending
the park out to the line Of the sidewalk on
the Olympic avenue side. removing tie
preaching the park. Ills will be great
Improvement
Since the fall this park has been planted
with collection of choice shrubs from
the city nursery: tall and dwarf magno-
las have been arranged in pleasing
groups. the varieties of spirea are met with
at all points. the mock orange With its
tender leaves and its promise of splashes
of bright yellow to contrast with the pink
=h.- ha ,-hr 3ar.a dr1ta
In great clumps that will be dark coppices
Illuminated with brilliant bloom, and the
azaleas that are already showing their
buds, and that will soon make the precip-
itous banks OF the pretty park bright with
their flowers. The z.gzag walks leading
down to the foot of the cliff are now being
put in repair. which is pleasant thing to
know, as there was talk of doing away
with them, and the landslides of last year
are all being cleared away. The bad spots
they left are being leveied and sodded, or
planted with japanese ounce and the yell
low kerria-
There will be no ornamental beds of
kohlias and other gorgeous foliage plants
this year, but Kinnear park will be alilr-
Ing for all that. To save labor in bedding
out and in maintaining the beds the Park
has been entirely planted with shrubs and
perennials. that month by month will give
tention.
At the city park the workmen are busy
making real park of its forty acres, with
a force OF three men and two horses. 1t
VIII be expected that but little can be ac-
ccmplished with so small a force but in
very short time the visitor will see very
great improvements. The men and horses
are now engaged preparing fine rolling
stretches to be seeded in grass, and very
there ts arf.iaD Irixr
the west entrance clear across to the east
ern fence, where the nurseries now are.
This promises to be one of the pre,tiest
drives in the neighborhood. 1t winds
through a little valley between gentle
slopes that are now well wooded. At the
marge of the roadway there will be grass,
and then lines Of red currant and yellow
mock orange and other Towering shrubs,
whose bloom VIII be heightened by the
heavy foliage of Douglas spruce in the
background and topping the slopes.
Winding paths have also been cut to the
north of this road, which give pretty vistas
through the large trees, through which
glimpses OF the bay and the mountains be-
yond can be seen. AS much as possible is
being made out of what nature has already
done. and some of the coppices and thick
cts Will have as fine effect as any TO be
obtained from the most expensive land
scape gardening. when the grass surround
ing them gets good sod ana the walks are
completed The superintendent hopes TO
seed to grass over five acres during the
early spring.
Last month there was shipment made
to North Carolina Of upwards of ieo0 of
our native trees and shrubs. These were
In payment, or ra her exchange, for a very
liberal consignment of the native shrubs
of the Southern states sent to us last year.
These included three varieties of rhododen-
dron. five of azalea and many of magnolia
and Towering laurel. with the chicfs-a pin
bushes that the children love so much. and
sassafras and many other shrubs native
TO the Carolinas. They formed most
valuable collection. especially the azaicas.
They are now thoroughly acclinated. and
this summer will see them blooming in all
their Haunting, gorgeous beauty.
The park viii be particularly interesting
and OF value 10 those having some little
ground about their homes, and VIII thus
materially aid in identifying our suburbs.
For such people can go to the park and see
the beauty of foliage or shape or bloom OF
these many varieties OF shrubs. and study
how such can be disposed to advantage in
their own grounds. They will learn. too.
what cultivation has done for many Of the
wild shrubs and bushes 10 be found wild
In the neighborinE woods and probably
be filled with wonder at the large number
of beautiful varieties our woods contain.
GRIFFIN pure ground spices, the finest