Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-24
Roof Gardens Old and New.

From the Garrettsville (Ohio) Journal.
The hanging gardens Of Babylon were
not more famous in their day than the
modern roof gardens. In all ages 1t has
been the practice to provide space on the
tops of buildings where people might re-
Fair for quiet and contemplation. We find
a number Of instances Of this kind In the
Bible. During the middle ages the house
tops were often places Of refuge. In our
day 1t is probable that the growth OF
population is responsible for the develop
ment of the roof garden. Land is SO scarce
III the large cities that 1t Is almost I'M
possible to provide breathing spaces, ex-
cept on the tops of large buildings. AS
result a modern structure Is no longer
considered complete without Its roof gar
den and the idea Is especially popular In
New York, where so many people are
obliged to spend a large part OF the summer
in town.
There are roof gardens on many Of the
large apartment houses and department
stores. Often these are simply breathing
spaces and no attempt is made to beautify
them The brick roof Is glazed, an iron
railing is placed at its edge to prevent &C,
cidents and electric lights, chairs and
benches are provided Convenient access
Is given by elevators and stairways. ms
type Is the simplest of all roof gardens.
A more elaborate plan Is to place flowers
and vines by the railing, install a few col
ored lights and add hammocks and swings:
On many Of the new ONCE nuliolngs ana
mammoth stores the proprietors nave m
troduced diversified features ana the EN-
ployes enjoy them greatly. They are per-
mitted to entertain their friends at con-
venient intervals. although the general puo-
lie is not supposed to frequent sucn gar
dens. The enterprise Is not a comIheISiai
one and the proprietor Of the store or once
building has a right to say who shall ENJOY
the privilege. .,
The public roof garden is largely nusi-
ness venture. In the case Of hotel. 1t is
intended first for the guests and second
for such Of the general public as the man
agement. desires to admit. The most not
able gardens of this KIND IN new Iork az anr
on the Waldorf-Astoria and the Astor
Hotel The former are on the Astoria sioe
Of the building, which Is on the S4th
street and 9th avenue corner This IS
Astoria structure. and the garden. which
is above the fifteenth story, Is more
than three hundred feet from the street.
1t is necessary for the visitor to apply to
the hotel office for a pass to the garden.
as guests of the house only are admitted
without cards. In distributing such passes
the management Is always liberal, and is
DESTROYS merely OF excluding Questionable
characters. Two lines of elevators carry
visitors to the garden from the LOBBY OF the
hotel and there Is never any crowding.
At the northeast part OF the garden are
two stately towers rising. perhaps, thirty
or forty feet above the ratings. The tow
ers afford convenient vantage point for
the Flagstaff. where is suspended an i'm
menSo natlOnA pdilncFs uc oSA 40
about one hundred and fifty feet long by
eighty feet wide, and extends east and west
| on the Astoria. The latter building is con-
siderably higher than the Waldorf: The
railing about the edge of the building Is
| covered with a mass OF vines, while flow
ering geraniums and other sweet-scented
blossoms are grouped on the posts. One
| may stand erect and look out over the
| Foliage. which Is about five feet and half
| from the floor, and enjoy the beautiful vista
| stretching away in every direction. Near
| the towers is a fountain. The orchestra
| stand is circular and Is about In the middle
| of the garden. Provision has been made
| for concerts in rainy weather, by inciosing
| a part of the building and stand In a
| two towers. Two or three rustic arbors
J complete the inclosed portion Of the gar