The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-10
"a BEAUTIFUL CITY"
Savannah Serves nm object Lesson
to New Orleans"

Savannah Serves an Object Lesson
to New Orleans"
From the New Orleans Times-D Democrat
The value of trees, not only for beauty
but for health, is generally recognized in
cities but New Orleans is very back
ward in cultivating them, though In no
place are they more pressingly needed"
said Mr. Clarence f. Low yesterday. II
have just returned from Savannah
While there, walking down Bull street,
the principal one of Savannah" said Mr.
Low, Il noticed over the door of one
of the main entrances to the City Hall the
inscription, Park and Tree Commission
This at once suggested an eXplana-
ton of what had attracted my attention
on the way from the railway station, and
whenever l went into the streets; the
large number of trees but recently plant
cd. Securing an Introduction TO Mr. Daft
fin, the president of the commission,
learned that l was correct In my coniec-
ture that the very apparent activity in
tree planting was due to the efforts of his
commission.
Savannah has been known as the
Forest City on account of the great num-
Der OF splendid oak trees in the numer-
Gus public squares and parks and along
The streets, but of late years several very
severe fornadoes from the West Indies
reached the South Atlantic coast, and a
great number of trees in Savannah were
destroyed. The citizens, recognizing the
value of trees took steps to replace those
which had been destroyed, and determined
10 do SO in a systematic manner and Sc
cure results as quickly as possible
A tree commission was appointed, and
to their intelligent and energetic efforts is
due a success already so signal that Sa-
vannah has come to be the example which
other cities are seeking to follow
"A considerable sum is budgeted by the
city Council each year and placed at the
disposal of the tree commission. This
commission is composed of citizens of the
highest standing, who enjoy the confidence
OF the whole community. They cordially
cooperate, but to Mr.. Daffin, their presi-
dent, falls the labor of practically direct
ing the planting, and cultivation of trees,
ana the whole city feels a very proper
pride in what he has accomplished.
Through the tree commission the work
is made comprehensive. systematic and
economical Definite designs for different
streets and squares are adopted, and these
contribute 20 a general harmonious plan.
For instance, one avenue has a double row
of live oaks along the center strip OF
grass, with Grape myrtles between the
phAo' AIiOtu6I avenue mas ndBDOllaS bOr-
dering the neutral ground, with oleand-
ers between the magnolias One can read
lily imagine the glorious scenes these ave.
nueS Will present in few years.
But the chief pride of Mr. Daffin is the
double row of palms around Colonial Park.
Well may he take satisfaction from the
result achieved. I am sure If commits
sioners having In charge the parks and
streets of New Orleans could see this
square they would make large use of
palms, which produce a far more beauti-
full effect than can be secured by use of
other trees, as those who have visited
Havana as well as Savannah we'll know
THE tree commission OF Savannah use
native palms, which are perfectly hardy.
and withstood even the Unprecedented cold
weather of last February. Mr. Dafin
pointed out to me palms which were plant
ed during the freeze, being placed In posi-
ton while snow was on the ground, and
they were uninjured
Instead Of relying upon palms brought
from California, which are sometimes liza
bic to be killed during very cold winters.
It would be wise, in my opinion, to follow
the example of the tree commission of Sa-
vannah and use palms which have their
natural habitat In South Carolina Geor-
gia. Florida and louisiana
Palms can be had from Savannah of
much larger size and at less cost than
they can be brought from California It
would undoubtedly be desirable to con-
tinue to use California palms here and Sc
cure variety in this way. Some kinds
are hardy here. We should not depend on
others when we can obtain native palms
which are sure to Withstand our winters
Besides, these native palms have distinct
points of beauty, making them worthy to
ornament our most prominent public places
and private grounds
Mr.. Daffin is an enthusiastic lover Of
trees and as courteous as he is CONNIE
tent, and will gladly render assistance 10
any who apply to him His success is
attracting to him requests for information
and suggestions from many Southern
cities and from the agricultural depart
ment at Washington"