Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-21

lie, and while not in any sense subject TO
vandalism are by no means as beautiful as
less use and more money would make them,
A perfect grass lawn, for instance. Is one
of the most delicate fabrics in the world
1t must have soil, fertilizers and seed.
wedding rolling. cutting and watering and
should rarely be walked over dusty shoes
carry weed gerrns). Hence a really vel
vety lawn is rare, and il is easy to see how
expensive perfect condition Of park grounds
must be.
Now. take Presidents Park. south of the
Executive Mansion, outside the fence. II
contains 63.I acres. To he well kept up
Out not as carefully as the White House
$3.50.
The average annual expenditure for this
park is now $4,000, or SG2so per acre.
The area of the monument grounds is Ts.5
acres. The same estimate for Presi-
dents Park is sufficient, VIZ: $3.50 per
year or in this case S121-50 per acre.
The average annual expenditure in this
park is $1,000, S3S per acre.
From the above discussion il appears for
Washington, at least. that after the neceS-
sary plant in the way of nursery, propa-
eating houses, road rollers and large arti-
Giles has been provided. maintenance merely
can be estimated at from $40 per acre up,
according to the degree in which the parks
are to be kept up. and it is believed that
$500 per acre would produce results salts
factory to the most faStidious.
1 have been told that at one time. If not
now, the street railroads of a large eastern
city paid tax for their franchise which
amounted to one cent on every fare, or 20
per cent Of gross receipts. This tax was
devoted to parks and resulted in making
the city at one time famous for them.
Fountain.
1t is remarkable that there are very few
fountains in Washington, and these few are
Insignificant. Not only should the capital
have many fountains an adornment, but
they are peculiarly suitable to this sub
tropical climate. Every circle in the city
should really have large, beautiful fouu-
tain not only from an artistic standpoint.
but for the comfort of the inhabitants. A
fountain Is a rest to mind and body.
Handsome iron fountains of proper size
for city use can be had for from $500 up
or say $1,000 apiece erected in place. An
estimate is submitted for ten such foun-
tains, to be erected in various parts of the
city.
There should also be at least one superb
electric fountain in Washington which
would be worth travelling to see. A very
suitable site for it would be the center of
the flushing reservoir west of the monu-
ment on the middle line of 18th street A
number of these fountains have been erect
ed in various cities already, and my
ports for 1898 and 1899. as well as this one.
give illustrations of the effects which an
be obtained.
There is one in Willow Grove Park, Phila-
delphia
Another In Prospect Park. Brooklyn.
Three have been erected this year at. the
Crystal Palace, London all American
throughout.
The electric power is used not only for
Illuminating effects, but also to pump the
water through the fountain, thus making
1t independent of the head Of water of the
city system, and such a fountain located as
suggested would obtain its water from the
river, and thus be entirely independent of
the city supply.
The cost of such a fountain, suitable for
Washington, ranges from S25, 900 to $4,000
The boiler house of the Washington mon
ument could be utilized in establishing such
a plant.
Park Curbfng.
1t being the wish of Congress that the
public parks should be as open as possible
all the former high iron fences have been
removed except where absolutely needed
This has left the edges of the parks with
an unfinished appearance which, in many
cases, is very unsightly.
1t has been found by experience that a
simple stone curbing gives pleasing finish
line between park and sidewalk. Lafayette
Square is an illustration
Franklin Park, one of the prettiest and
most freQuented in Washington, suffers for
lack of this. A simple but tasteful granite
curb can be laid around 1t for $1,000 or
less, and the appropriation of this amount
is respectfully urged.
Maintenance of Improved Parks
The improved parks and park spaces have
been maintained in good condition during
the year, the work consisting of moving
and raktnK lawns. cleaning cutters and