The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-04-23
COMO WILL BE MORE
BEAUTIFUL THAN
EVER
Large Forces of Men Prepar-
ing the Park for the Com
ing Rush of Visitors -
Changes Are Numerous
and Many Novelties Added
The saurians Wake Up.

bill" and Jack the two alligators
at Como park, have eaten nothing
since last September!
But this is not a sign of ill-health
on the part of the saurians; 1t Simply
means that they are carrying out, in as
far as lies within their power, the
promptings of nature. Had they been
in the recesses of one of the palmetto
swamps of their beloved Florida last
fall, they would have imbedded them
selves in the mud thereof; but, as 1t
is, they had to sleep on the surface,
and it also means that they may be ill
this summer for short time, while
they shed their skins. This process
the mud would have taken care Of, had
they been in the wild state. For some
time Park Commissioner Nussbaumer
and others around the park thought
the animals sick. They tried to tempt
them with every known dainty. But
to all, the sleepy fellows turned UP
their shouts and Slumbered on fitfully.
awaking only to yawn capaciously.
When the ponds and pools Of the park
are fitted up, the gators will have one
all to themselves wherein to diSport
as best suits them.
Preparing the Park.
About sixty men are hard at work,
preparing the pleasure place for the
summer admirers. Over the lily pond,
where heretofore has been a wooden
affair, maSons are building rustic
cobblestone bridge, like unto those one
sees in old English prints. A similar
one will be erected over that small
stretch of the little lake which sepa-
rates the hogs backs
The lily pond is being renovated and
piped, and Mr.. Leidenfrost, the head
gardener is authority for the state
ment that this summer it will be pref
tier than ever
Many new flowers are being intro
duced to the mark this spring Espe-
cially is this so in the matter of roses.
A most gorgeous blush bloom is the
Anne Disbach, and another of which
Mr. LeidenfroSt is very proud is the
Nine. Lang. One of the very few
roses with a "break O. day" tint is the
Cedro Blanches. one of the most deli
cate shaded blooms that grows In
all about twenty new roses will be
seen. 4es4
New buildings of various kinds have
been erected during. then winter. 4S4sA
large green house, measuring seventy.
feet in length and twenty in width,
is among the number. Plants tensfeet'
In height can be accommodated in this
house. s'77E'S'
Goldfish by Thousands.
In a greenhouse devoted to them
selves and appropriate plants are over
1000 gold fish in an enormous tank.
When one nearS the tank the placid
water suddenly changes into a surging
mass of rushing, flashing, limpid fire
as the startled. golden inmates scatter
pell-mell through the water to seek
hiding places under the lily leaves
Some of these fish are valued as highly
as $40. They are of all kinds. breeds,
sorts and sizes, as well as all colorS
Some of them are as black as ink
yet they are goldfish and will change
to the beautiful hue so we'll admired
Others are piebald, some are paGti- coli
ored, and others are as pale as wan
conSumptiVe. Among the most costly
are the Comets" SO called from the
peculiartties they show in the matter
of tails and fins. These appendages.
in some Of the more pronounced types,
stream out behind their owners for
several inches: indeed. two or three
were so incumbered that it was ap-
parently hard work to navigate.
Bananas Are Ripenina. x
Then there is the banana tree, with
two large and rapidly growing punches
of fruit upon it. One of these punches
Is much younger than the other: the
1rSt Will be ripe in July and the other
in September.
The plants are being placed around
the famous Gates Ajar," and in about
six weeks they will be robed in all
the glory of their yearly resplendence.
Out at Indian Mound park a new
road is being built over the bluff to
the fish hatchery, and along Summit
avenue. from Smelling avenue to the
river. the young trees planted last year
and unable to survive the winter are
being removed and replaced with fresh
ones.