The evening times., 1896-07-27
CARE OF PUBLIC PARKS
hat It Costs Annually to
Preserve Grass and Flowers.
AT UNCLE SANS EXPENSE
Half a Hundred Thousand Dollars
Appropriated for Repairs and Main
enance--Continuing the Improve
ments, Purchase of Nursery Stock
and Laying of Asphalt Walks.

II Costs on an average little more than
Dalf Il hundred thousand dollars annually to
keep the grass green and the trees pruned
| In the parks and reservations. Firty-one
thousand dollars is the figure this year, and
1t Is distributed under the several headings
TO the several public spaces which are Uncle
Sans especial care.
The grounds north and south of the Ex-
ccutive Mansion, with their fountains, orna-
mental squares and flower-po.s, are given
$4,000, and that sum will be expended
during the current year. The greenhouses
and nursery get the benefit OF $4,000 ad-
diuonal.
For the ordinary care of three of the parks
Lafayette. Lincoln and Franklin 81 900;
one-lialf of which is for the benefit Of
Lincoln.
The Monument grounds will have So 900
expended upon them, "for care and i'm
proyement,'' and the Smithsonian grounds
will cost $1,000, "for improvement. niaip-
.enaDce and care Judiciary Square also
gets SO 500.
For the continuation OF improvements
of reservation numbered II "aud the site
OF the old canal northwest of same" an
expenditure OF $4,000 is provided, with
stipulation added that mo part thereof
shall be expended upon other than prop
erty belonging to the United States"
PosT-AND-CHAIN FENCES.
Repairs of post and-chain fences, re-
pair of high iron fences, aud construction
OF stone coping about the reservations
have been included in an Item appro-
priating $1,500. while the fertilizers
necessary for the renewal of the sod is
remembered to the extent of $4,000.
The watcbmen's lodges will have to be
| repainted, and so also will the iron fences,
vases, lamps, and lamp posts; the Seats
Will have TO be replaced in many in-
stances with new ones, the old ones Will
have to be repaired, and the expense of
these two items aggregate $4,000.
Trees are TO be added, and to protect
these stakes are to be provided, and the
stakes and trees must be given a coat
of whitewash, which necessitatcs the pur-
chase OF lime and brushes, and all this,
together with the purchase of nursery
stock, flower pots, twine, baskets, Wire,
splints, moss, and lycopodum. receives
an appropriation amounting to $1,000
Tie care, construction and repair Of
iouHetihs dlout Will tOst 81 ,OOO, lle dDdtc-
nen5 of nuisaDccs $500. and tile improve
ment, care and maintenance of reservations
not otherwise provided for, $4,000.
WALKS OF ASPHALT.
THIS last item does not include the lay
ing of asphalt walks in the various reserva-
tons, that object receiving the benefit
of a special appropriation OF $4,000.
Hancock place, lately established at the
corner of Pennsylvania avenue and Seventh
street, will require SO 900 with which TO
complete improvements already begun,
and the cleaning of the various statues and
repair of pedestals are combined In an ap-
preparation of 81 90.
1t is estimated that it will cost this year
81 200 to remove the snow and ice from
the parks and reservations, and Uncle
Sam includes that amount in his allotment
for current expenses.
These and other appropriations are to be
disbursed in the work of beautifying and
preserving the government grounds, and in
placing and maintaining flower beds, with
their tempting posies beyond the reach Of
hands profane; for the maintenance Of re-
freshng shades, cool walks and ripping
rills for the benefit of, the populace, the
stay-at-homes who are unable, for q va
riety of reasons, to seek other retreats at
the ocean sides or on mountain tops, and
all at a cost of half hundred thousand
dollars.