The suburban citizen., 1901-04-06

ing of a large number OF cities equipped
with all the advantages known to
science and conducive to health by the
observance OF sanitary rules and regu-
lations, including a large number Of
wel-kept public parks.
The highest state OF the exemplifca-
tion OF these national characteristics
should be found in the District OF
Columbia, the home OF the United
States Government
Surely, with these advancemcnts, with
our individual, corporate and national
wealth, with the efforts which other cit
les have made in this country to afford
every opportunity for private develop
ment by the establishment OF necessary
public Improvements so that private
Improvements can follow, the Congress
OF the United States which alone can
legislate for the District OF Columbia
will, we hope, no bonger permit the cap
ital OF this great nation to be deprived
OF necessary advantages and thereby
cause its ordinate growth and develop
ment to be retarded by insufficient
street sewerage and water, light and
park facilities.
While there are unfortunately many
needs and indeed real necessities OF
the national capital some affecting the
health OF our people which Congress
has thus far refused to provide, it will
be more particularly the purpose of
this paper to direct attention to the un-
improved parks" of Washington and
their importance to the people, not only
OF this city but to those OF the country
generally, and indeed we may include
those from foreign countries who ex-
pect to find at the National Capital ex-
amples in landscape gardening and hor-
ticultural growth which will not only
please the eye bu; enable them to ac-
quire a practical lesson OF utility. The
florists OF the country are not only
professionally but pecuniarily interested
in the matter OF securing from Con-
gress a sufficient appropriation to make
all the public parks OF Washington
what they ought to have been years
ago; /. e., not only beautiful to the
observer and an ornament to the city,
but useful as a lesson in arrangement,
selection OF color and knowledge Of the
varieties OF horticultural plants. II
each horticulturist throughout the
country would write to his member Of
Congress fayoring increased appropria-
ton OF money for the parks OF Wash
ington, it is safe to assume that the
amount recommended by Colonel Bing-
ham, in charge OF these national reser-
vations, would not be cut below the
limit within which it is possible for
him to properly improve them.
Notwithstanding the fact that we have
just celebrated the centennial anniver-
sary OF the establishment OF the seat Of
Government in the District OF Colum-
bia, there are within the limits OF the
old city (Which is only small part OF
the DISTRICT many reservations which
have never even been graded, much less
beautiied and improved We also have
parks or reservations which Colonel
Bingham would like to bring to the
proper standard of improvement, and
it is the sincere wish OF the public gen
orally that every effort should be made
to urge Congress to do what ought to
have been done years afo for our parks,
and thereby advance the interests OF all
our people, and make the capital city
OF this great nation a credit in this re-
spect to our people and their country,
even if it should continue to suffer for
other necessary municipal needs
Any reference to the parks OF Wash
ington would be incomplete without in
cluding Rock Creek Park, which con-
sists OF about 1900 acres OF land. 1t
was acquired at a cost OF 81 100000
jointly expended by the United States
Government and the District OF Colum
bia ten years ago. Not one dollar has
thus far been expended in its improve
ment except to make a few driveways,
and this was not done until recently
The public have been, practically
speaking, deprived OF an advantage
which the park was intended to afford
as a pleasure ground. The substantial
stone buildings in the park should be
utilized. and we hope it will be i'm
proved and made accessible. /; should
not only be ornamented, but perhaps
more particularly the natural beauties
ought to be protected.
1t is not generally known to what
an extent a great variety OF plants,
shrubs. vines and trees can be found in
this great rural park, independent OF the
extreme beauty Of its natural scenery
We will be permitted to quote an eN-