The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-28
THE STREET TREES OF
 PARIS AND WASHINGTON
By a District Commissioner washln

By District Commissioner, Washing
 ton, D. c.
 Of the three capitals of Europe, Lon don, Berlin and Paris, the latter is the only one where there is any extensive street planting.
 London has numerous attractive small parks, as well as large ones. scattered throughout the city, besides many large private gardens belonging in places to palaces and individual mansions and in places to rows of houses, but not open to the general public.
 In Berlin there is the well-known drive "Unter den Linden,' which has a double row of trees with walk down the center. The trees are neither large nor fine. but the avenue Is beautiful, due to the handsome buildings along 1t and ths monuments at either end.
 In Paris the boulevards and avenues are generally lined with trees. The sys- tenn is similar to Washington, in that the street trees are under one administration and the parks and gardens under another The total number of trees in Paris
 
 About one-third of these, 26, 900, are syca- mores; next are the horse chestnuts, IT, GOO; elms 15000, and from 5000 to 5000 each of naples locusts and lindens. There are other trees in smaller numbers,
 The yearly appropriation is about $6O- 900. The greater part of this Is used for the cars and replacing of existing trees, and not greatly for extension. As re- suit the trees are very well cared for.
 The arrangement of buildings and side walks on the wider streets allows much larger unpaved spaces about the trees than with us. This space is covered with gravel, kept free from grass and in good order. There Is no grass on the park ings. Around each tree Is arranged basin to hold water. and the trees are watered up to twice a day when the weather is dry These basins do not add to the appearance, but the watering Is considered obligatory. In many cases tile drains lead out to the ends of the roots to supply them with water. In thickly travelled parts of the city, es- pecia1ly around the markets and places of public resort, the basins are covered with gratings, to prevent trash and in- furious substances being thrown around the roots.
 The health of the trees Is carefully watched. All signs of disease are treated at once and the pruning done with care and system. Large trees are at times re- moved to a nursery for treatment and then replanted. The young trees are thor oughly pfotected. and made to grow straight by poles and by trimming. A book of instructions for the gardeners and caretakers Is issued by the city.
 Turning now to Washington, we find about the same number of trees, S5.0OO The distribution of kinds Is very differ ent. The principal trees here are the silver naples, elms, sycamores, lindens, and poplars, 200 tulip trees, and a less number of oaks. horse chestnuts, gink- EOS, and others. The silver maple Is not so much planted as previously as 1t is brittle ard needs much care and trim ming. The Norway maple, more satis- factory tree. is replacing it. The Din oak, in locations where its low-growine branches do not interfere with traffic. is proy.ng a fine city tree.
 The annual appropriation is s25,OOo. At times, in case of sudden onslaught of caterpillars, beetles. and other insects. extra allotments for emergencies are made. About half of the appropriation Is used for new tree planting, for which nurseries exist at the Washington asy- lum grounds. and at the new municipal hospital site. on Brightwood avenue.
 The remainder of the appropriation is used for the care of trees and small park ings. removing of dead trees, etc. Last