The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-06-11
1T Is AWFUL.
Condition Of State House Lawn
Causes a Stir.
Civic improvement Society Dis
cUsses Its Condition.
RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
Attention Of Executive Council
Directed to the Grounds.
Also Request That the Walks
Be Completed.
RESOLUTION ADOPTED.

One OF the first things the Semi-Cen-
tennial Civic Improvement society Of
Topeka hopes to accomplish is the i'm
provement at an early date Of the state
house lawn The deplorable state into
which the lawn has fallen was the cause
OF set of resolutions being introduced
at the meeting last night which were
speedily passed. The text OF the resolu-
ton concerning the lawn is as follows
Resolved, That the attention Of the
executive council be called to the con-
dttlon OF the state house grounds. The
custodian has had much experience in
caring for lawns and should be provided
with the money. and machinery to keep
the lawn in flrst-class condition"
The state house lawn has been sadly
neglected this year. The customary per
iodical visits of the hay moving ma
chine have been dropped, and the
grounds have been allowed to go to
weeds and hay. The grass is now IN
prime condition to make hay.
Comparisons were made between the
state house grounds at Topeka and
Denver and at other places The COM
parison in each instance was to the
disadvantage of the local grounds The
fact that the state house lawn is cared
for in the same manner as any private
lawn, the grass cut with 1awn mowers
and continually sprinkied with lawn
sprays at each of the other state CAPT
tolls was taken as sufficient evidence
that the great state of Kansas ought
surely to be able to care for its lawn
in proper and respectable manner. The
members of the Civic Improvement soci-
ETY. are anxious that the matter come
to the attention of the executive council
and that that body be induced to take
action looking to the remedy of this evil.
The state house grounds might be made
pleasurable sight instead of an eye
sore.
Two prizes of s. each one for the best
picture Of the worst looking back ward ia
the rifW and the other f1T he hes 751f
of the best looking back yard in the city,
are offered to the photogra piers of To-
photographers are eligible to compete for
the prize.
printed. The negatives Of all competitors
for the prize are to become the property
OF the association to be used in stereopti-
cen lectures.
The condition of the walks through the
west portion Of the state house grounds
was also another topic for discussion by
ciety and the condition OF the walks called
forth a resolution to be presented to the
executive council asking that some action
looking towards the completion Of the
walks be made. People refuse to walk in
the stony path and have worn the grass
bare from a path along the regular walk
Dean Kaye gave a short lecture, on how
to plant vines and described the best va
rieties for planting In this locality.
DR. c. F. Menninger gave a short talk
on the best kinds Of perennials to plant
and how to get the best results in their
planting. He told Of a number of beauti-
ful native flowers that can be had easily
and how to transplant them.
Orders were given for the printing Of the
membership blanks and cards announcing
the prizes offered in each ward and pre-
cinet of the city for the best appearing
lawns and premises.
Saturday July 5. is the next monthly
Cleaning up day and the next regular
meeting of the society will be held Tues
day evening, July 8.
Dean Kaye urges that as many as are
contemplating making Improvement in
their premises should secure their vines
and perennials. this year and plant them
in order that by the spring Of 1904 they
win have grown enough to make credf-
table showing
Members Of the Civic Improvement socie-
ty have the advantage Of securing plants,
bulbs and seeds at wholesale prices The
exceedingly low rates that are possible
win be a surprise to many.