Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-07-16

| needed by the construction Of asphalt walks
to replace the present gravel walks; addi-
tional walks for public travel through
these grounds. increased water supply for
irrigation and increased drainage facilities
are required.
THE portion Of the grounds south Of the
Executive Mansion fence, covering an area
of about eighty-twO acres, heretofore
known as the Presidents Park, has been
maintained In as good condition as was
possible. This park has been frequently
used for drills and parades by our citizen
soldiers and by visiting military companies
from other cities. Some years since a COM
petttfve drill lasting several days took place
In the park and recently the ground was
occupied by the Grand Army of the Re-
public In their memorable reunion.
Under the terms of the joint resolution
Of Congress approved February 13, 1894
this park and the Washington monument
reservation were used by the International
Christian Endeavor Association in July
1896.
Heretofore on all occasions where the
lawn Of this beautiful elipse has been
used for ceremonies of this character 1t
has been apparent that a wide walk
around the parade would be a desirable
feature and afford safe standing room. out
of the way Of passing vehicles. for specta-
tors. as well as a path for pedestrians WIS.,
iting the locality.
With this object in view, it is suggested
that an asphalt walk fifteen feet wide be
around the outer portion OF
the ellipse, separating 1t from the carriage
road by a parking thirty feet wide.
The American elm trees now bordering
the parade would afford partial shade to
TINS walk. as well as to the roadway: at
all the principal outlets of the park to sur
rounding streets wide walk openings would
be made to connect with these roads for
the convenience of the public.
1t Is estimated that the approximate
cost Of this walk. with Its approa ches
necessary drains. drain lodges, etc, will be
$40, 500.
Washington Monument Grounds.
This park covering an area of about
seventy-eight acres, is the site of the
Washington monument. During the year
every effort has been made to maintain the
improved portion of the grounds in as good
order as possible and to continue improve
ments SO far as the limited funds available
would permit. The section Of the reserva-
ton between the main drive north of the
monument and B street, which is now used
for playing foot ball and base ball. under
the terms of the act of Congress approved
August 30. 1885, was improved by removing
| about 900 cart loads of broken brick stone.
EARTH &c, and grading about an acre and
a half of ground. This work of grading
will be completed during the season of
lS!H, and the area of the playground thus
increased in all about two acres
1t Is again earnestly recommended that
the electric light system inaugurated in
1889 In the grounds south of the White
House be extended throughout the park.
There Is now no method OF artificial illu-
mination between b street and the propa-
eating gardens south Of the monument be-
tween 14th and 18th streets. and in the in
terest OF morality and for the protection of
persons necessarily crossing these grounds
at night, lights are necessary.
Propagnting Gardens.
Extensive repairs were made to the va
rious green houses and potting houses dur
ing the year. and the large and valuable
collection Of plants was maintained in good
condition.
Extensive improvements can well be
| made at these gardens. About 5OO,GO
plants are annually propagated at the
green houses for use in the summer and au-
tumn decorations of the public parks: the
beautiful water lilies and other aquatic
plants used in many of the fountain ba sins
are also propagated here.
The various structures are serviceable
| for the purposes for which they are used
| and have been mainly erected by our own
Workmen at comparatively cheap COST
| they are without characterization of any
| KIND, and are maintained in repair by a
small annual appropria ton of $1,000 The
| buildings should be increased in number:
| large palm house and a subtropical plant
| mousse are especially needed; green house
| pits and cold frames are also required for
Inc purpose of growing hardy herbaceous
| perennials. no paintings of which of any
| magnitude have as yet been made in any
| OF the parks or other public gardens ir
| Washington.
The nursery grounds of the gardens, ex
| elusive OF the ground occupied by tn,
| green houses. storehouses, sheds. road!
| ana walks, cover an area of about foul
acres acres one-third of which is occupied by
| the green house paintings for stock an6
hardy rose grounds; the remaining por
[ ton is thickly planted with young trees
| and hardy Towering shrubs set out II
| rows ready for transplanting when re-
| quired. This area is not sufficiently large
| to supply the tree and shrub paintings OF
| the park extensions Of the public grounds
| and purchases are made of the varietie:
| and character needed from commercial
| nurseries and wherever they can be found
| to supply deficiencies. 1t is hoped that II
| the near future when the work of filling
| the Potomac flats near the propaga tins
| gardens Is completed, the nursery ground:
may be extended SO as to furnish abundan
| room for the purposes for which they arr
| intended.
| Il am frequently in receipt of request:
Tor the loan OF plants from the gardens fol
| the use of churches fairs. festivals, etc.
| and demands are constantly made fol-
| Towering and decorative plants for private
purposes.
| Il am obliged to decline all such requests
! as either the loan or gift Of any plant:
| would be In violation Of the following ex
| tract from the act of Congress approved
June 20, 1878: Provided. That hereafter
/
| propagated at the green houses and nurser,
| as are suitable for planting in the public
| reservations, to which purpose only the
| productions of the green houses ant
| nursery shall be applied
| After the annual spring planting in the
| parks Is completed it sometimes happens
| that there is a small surplus of bedding
| plants on hand. These are divided amons
such public reservations or institutions as
| the State. War and Navy building. marine
| barracks, Washington Aqueduct grounds
| Fort Myer military reservation, various
| hospitals and orphan asylums. After these
| are supplied. should there still be a few
| such surplus plants remaining. they are
| given to whoever may ask for them.
| Smithsonian Park GrOunds
| This large reservation is one of the most
| popular park resorts of the city 1t con-
| tains within its boundaries the Smithson-
| ian Institution, the National Museum and
| the Army Medical Museum, all of which at
| tract many visitors. The area of the park
| Is about fifty-eight acres, the greater por-
| ton Of which is laid out in lawn surfaces
! about nine acres being devoted 70 roads
! and walks.
During the year the improvements have