The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-07
YEAR WITH PARKS AND TREES.
.c.n.innea rom eighth Pagel

ilQuLA44eNN'
- little. If any. The magnolia with
w. the fury of the winds, as wen, IL
hatter than any of the others, while
81 ,be chinaberry SUFFERED most. me sMe1t
iHe nc consider one of our most valuable
gum is beautiful through the summer
is autumn foliage is exquisite in
S Az The red and turkey oak, tho
coIo, ,. S,m. the dbgwood all lend great
pa ~ the fora in autumn and early
irtor while the dogwood is doubly val
W. Nv reason of it's early blossom in
~ spring In the latter part OF summer
l-S 1,aerstromia or crepe myrtle shows
'i'o taoutifuI blossoms with fine effect
~ o,r desire to so distribute this class
# it trose that during every season some
- striking and pleasing will catch the
~. in each of the parks and squares.
S11,,e euearberry, or blackberry a spe-
,as of elm which has not been very much
.ticed in the past, but is pressing itself
ern-ard nv it's interesting merits and will
leone a great favorite. 1t is as easily
"Itirated as the sycamore, is less liable
~ iniurv and requires less trimming. 1t
LES very desirable shade in summer
1rbo elm i'm our section, although not the
Ind tree of the north, is still a very
5na one. the only objection to it being
the tendency of it's small roots to creep
into sewers.
.bet dnds favor with many The pine, we
srerret to say, is destined to disappear from
f17orsvth park, although we shall proba-
bly, make efforts to continue its culture.
IL is a very exclusive tree, and does not
Fake kindly to the close proximity of its
neichbors; we found some of the old trees
(which were laid PROSTATE by the storm
tthe Oldest being 121 years. afflicted with
i drv root extending up fifty feet from
the ground either from senile decay or
Ifro,n the appropriation of their essential
InutFment by other trees. Perhaps when
NE adopt a better system of fertilizing
I'VE may have greater success.
In the plan of improvement of South
.fRroad street we are planting at regular
Intervals the live oak and filing the
spaces between with other trees, giving
The lowering varieties a prominent place
Maintaining the live oak as fixed charac-
heristic refraining, as far as possible from
Npanting the oak near the sidewalks, and
limiting their growth to the center plat.
i've do not intend to remove the good trees
1t present, but will follow the system
adopted in planting, and gradually remove
IS decay makes it necessary.
The commission has undertaken the
planting of trees for private parties and
propose to plant, care for and insure
krcWth. BY this means we will be able
o secure more uniform growth and better
Results"
OF Colonial park the report says: Co
onai park was the burial place of colo
bal times, and was turned over to the
control of the city by a decree of court
based on the mutual consent of all parties
interest ! consists of 80 acres and is
Situated on the southeast corner Of South
Broad and AbercoTn. To convert a burial
ground into a combination park and ceme-
tery was a puzzle to us, considering the
tact that we were not to detract from
tither and must harmonic both objects
but the result has been, we think, very
satisfactory. First, the entire park had to
Be regarded, survey and contour map
made, vaults and headstones repaired and
placed in position, walks laid out, and 1,400
kQuare yards of cement and 1852 square
Yards, of rubble covered by gravei and
granite screenings. We have placed water
mains all over the ground plant
1900 ornamented shrubs, plants and
9ees, and have secured a fine Bermuda
ID all over the park. 1t is the intention
a the commission that as the vegetation
BECOMES larger with the tombs covered
Win vines and surrounded by trees, it will
Anpart TO the visitor the suggestion of a
cemetery of past age surrounded and
Guarded by the impressions of more
modern time. Acting upon our recon-
fendaton the city has laid a sidewalk on
be west side of the park. In the develop
fent OF Colonial park we were fortunate
Il securing the valuable services of p. J.
Berckmans of Augusta, Ga.
Ot Estill park, the report says: "Estill
fark comprises 275 acres of land, situated
oout five miles south of Savannah, and is
ossed by the City and Suburban railroad
pa by the old and new Casey canal. 1t
Fas donated to the city by the commits
oners of Chatham county upon cOndi-
Won that the municipal government should
appropriate for its improvement $500 per
4nnum for six years and s., 900 per annum
I'VE years. The first period commenced
1875 During the year we have started
artesian well, which will be complete
January, 1897 We have planted four
RWs of magnolias, 256 trees on the Meri-
an road, which crosses the western side
the park. We have had a survey and
&phtour map made; commenced a nursery
ON which to obtain trees for planting
the city; have completed a beautiful
lslIc bridge over the Casey canal, and
~ cabin for the superintendent, which
d typical cabin of ante-bellum days. The
tesian well will feed the lake and the
ldge will be one of several, connecting
drives about the park. In our work
" nave had the advice of Olmsted & Ell
W. landscape artists"
tor its first year there is hardly anyone
ho VIII not concede that the commission
uOiie remarkably good work. In TACT
may be regarded as one of Savannah's
lmahent institutions and il will stand
monument to the commission idea,
Nhether the other commissions remain or
~ The members of the commission
We shown the greatest interest in their
PIX and have devoted freely of their
Nc TO 1t. 1t must be considered that the
Improvement of the parks and squares is
PIX OF slow growth and It will be years
" &c IS Ill ror,f
Ast
ne duties of the commission have been
creased by placing Laurel Grove ceme-
IN Its charge by the amendment to
II act creating the commission at the