New-York tribune., 1899-06-09
LAWNS AND MARKETS SUFFER.
HEAT PARCHEs CENTRAL PARK AND MAKES Al.
PRODUCE DEARER.

PRODUCE DEARER.
"F'rightful damage. IL not destruction. to the
lawns in Central Park has resulted from the lack
OF rain during the last six weeks and the accom-
panying ten days OF intense heat which we have
experienced" said Secretary Willis Holly, OF the
Park Department. yesterday The lawns are
burned bake and scorched. and IL Is a question
whether. excepting In shady places. the roots OF the
grass not killed"
1t has been a question with Commissioner Clausen
for several days whether he should not suspend
the public OF the lawns. and he has finally
done 3D. Visitors to the Park are now restricted
TO the walks. and no permits for picnic or croquet
parties being issued Ball playing and other
games upon the ball ground and green have also
been forbidden.
Mr. Holly's statement OF the damage done by the
drouth is not exaggerated. All through the Park
wherever there is a lack OF shade the grass has a
parchcd and withered look. This is especially no.
ticeable the ball ground, the east green, the
rorth meadow. and the tennis court where the
grass wears the yellow, red and brown hues OF
autumn. So dry has the grass become during the
last few days that It has caught fire In several
places from carelessly thrown matches or cigar
cites.
The Park Department is using every bit of avail
able water in sprnkling the lawns and this Is kept
up all night with sprnkling carts light enough to
be driven the turf.
The wide extent OF the damage done to the lawns
is largely due 10 the fact that quite a portion OF
the Park Is made ground and the soil is shallow
This lends the Park employees to believe that not
even liberal amount OF rain could now repair the
injury TO the grass. and they say that extensive
resodding will be necessary.
Neither the trees nor their foliage as yet show
any signs OF injury. but is feared they will not
survive unscathed a much longer dry and heated
spell.
The effects OF the drouth are also being felt in
the markets OF the city. as housewives and others
will soon discover In the way of the higher prices
they will have to pay for various articles OF food
Poultry is already dearer than usual at this sea-
of the year. and the Fulton and Washing on
market pouiterers say II Is going higher. The
reason for this, they say ie that large numbers OF
young chickens are being killed by the heat and
shipments 10 the city small.
Vegetables and fruits have suffered considerable
damage from the drouth. Whole fields OF yegeta-
bes such as caulifower spinach and lettuce
which are OF slow growth, have been scorched and
materially curtailed Dealers are sending TO
Canada for vegetables and they say that prices
will be high throughout the season as II Is TOO late
for the home farmers 10 attempt TO supply the de-
mand.
The drouth has even affected butter. the market
made the grass "weedy.' and "weedy" butter is
going 10 be the result Such good butter as there
may be Will cost than the usual summer
prices.
materially affect the quality or price OF this
The effect Will be felt next year. however. when
there will be lot OF poor meat on the market
and ! believe Il will cost much IL not more
than good meat does now"